Seeding the Future Grants

The Seeding the Future Grants, offered by the Deaconess Foundation, provide annual operating funds of $20,000 to organizations that align with the foundation's mission of enhancing community health in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois. These grants support initiatives that advocate for systemic change, public policy advancement, and the expansion of civic infrastructure, fostering partnerships for intergenerational health improvements. Eligible organizations must possess a 501(c)(3) status or work with a fiscal agent.

What are examples of efforts funding may support?
Advancement of coordinated local or state public policy advocacy and organizing campaigns driving meaningful, systemic change that may include voter engagement, education and mobilization;Expansion of organizing capacity to respond to the ever-evolving legislative and electoral landscape;Development of research and analysis, convenings and community campaigns that generate innovative approaches to solving policy challenges; and/orThe testing and incubating of opportunistic or innovative initiatives that are well-positioned to advance policy change such as ballot initiatives.
Award
General operating awards are $20,000 annually per awarded organization. Grants will be awarded for one year and are non-renewable.

Eligibility

Organizations need either their own 501(c)(3) tax exemption OR a fiscal agent. Deaconess aims to reduce/eliminate barriers to accessing grant funding. An organization that does not have a 501(c)(3) status can identify a fiscal agent – an organization or legal entity with a 501(c)(3) tax exemption that can manage any awarded funds on its behalf. Organizations working to improve conditions for community health and well- being through a systems transformation approach through coalition and base building, grassroots advocacy, civic engagement, community organizing, and public policy development/change are encouraged to submit a proposal if they meet the other eligibility criteria. Organizations’ work should include efforts that align with our strategy to achieve liberation in the next seven generations and abolish racial and structural inequities that are felt in the day-to-day lives of all people across the Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois footprint.Any organization whose work aligns with the grant criteria AND is working in serving one or more of the counties in Deaconess’ footprint is eligible to submit a funding proposal.Deaconess’ footprint includes:St. Louis City, St. Louis, Jefferson, St. Charles, and Franklin Counties in Missouri and Madison, St. Clair, and Monroe Counties in Illinois.Funding may be used for general operating support to address:organizational needs, support salaries and benefits, invest in technology, strengthen communications efforts, or to meet other operational needs to advance systems changeOrganizations will need to submit a new proposal each year for a Seeding the Future Grant.Organizations awarded a Seeding the Future Grant are eligible to apply for grants other than the Seeding the Future Grants (e.g. Policy Campaign Grant) that Deaconess offers during the term of the one-year covenant.

Ineligibility

Organizations that have been awarded a Seeding the Future Grant are not eligible to apply for another Seeding the Future Grant until after the one-year covenant is completed.