Invest STL

Invest STL is a collaborative strategy to leverage investments for strengthening the St. Louis region's neighborhoods, sponsored by the St. Louis Community Foundation.

Purpose: To identify, prioritize, and invest in community development strategies in order to improve low and moderate income neighborhoods in the St. Louis region.

Geographic Scope: St. Louis region, focusing on low and moderate income neighborhoods

Funding Model: Supported by foundations, financial institutions, and individuals from around the region. Thirteen local banks and four foundations have come together to provide initial funding.

Focus Areas:

• Neighborhood improvement and revitalization
• Housing stock improvement
• Vacant lot remediation
• Community development strategies

Background: Created in response to dramatic decline in federal and local governmental funding available for community development. Several neighborhoods have rebounded in recent decades, but efforts must accelerate and expand to many more declining neighborhoods in the region.

Selected Organizations (as of 2018):

• Dutchtown South Community Corporation (DSCC) - serving Benton Park West, Gravois Park, and northeast Dutchtown
• Cornerstone Corporation - serving West End and Visitation Park neighborhoods

Partners: Rise (local non-profit providing technical support), Washington University, St. Louis University, University of Missouri-St. Louis, Metropolitan St. Louis Community Reinvestment Association (MSLCRA)