Spirit of St. Louis Women's Giving Fund

Each year 240 women come together to make a difference in St. Louis through The Spirit of St. Louis Women's Fund (SOS). This collaborative fund grows small nonprofits doing extraordinary work in the St. Louis region.

Geographic Scope: St. Louis region

Focus Areas: Small but innovative nonprofits solving specific problems that receive limited funding from other sources

Mission: "We are the true angel investors of the nonprofit landscape. We focus on small but innovative nonprofits that are solving a specific problem, but are getting limited funding from other sources. We seed fund them – 'rocket boost' them – so they can grow and stand on their own."

Membership Model:

• 240+ women donors participate annually
• Members learn how to read financials (IRS Form 990), assess community needs, and conduct productive site visits
• Each member contributes the same amount of funding, allowing all members equal stake in outcomes
• Women have the option to "do a little or do a lot" as their time and stage in life permits
• Members range from younger women with children and careers to those on the cusp of retirement

Process:

• Each year SOS chooses a focus area for in-depth education (e.g., food deserts, trauma of addiction)
• SOS evaluates applications; finalists submit full proposals
• Teams evaluate financials and strategic plans, ask questions, and visit nonprofits
• Finalists presented at annual "ballot fair"
• Members submit votes anonymously
• Grantees celebrated at annual Spirit Awards and annual meeting

Notable Grantees:

• The Little Bit Foundation - provides for students' health, wellness and dignity needs in resource-challenged school districts; now caring for 7,300+ students in 27 schools
• Health Equipment Lending Program (HELP) - provides access to health equipment at no charge
• Home Sweet Home - provides basic household furnishings for those transitioning from homelessness
• Lydia's House - trains financially struggling women in the culinary field
• Angel's Arms - keeps families of foster children together

History: Over 100 women came together in SOS's first year.

Support: St. Louis Community Foundation has been with them since the beginning, providing framework, administrative and legal support, office space, staff connections, and local expertise.

Future Plans: Grow funding and membership, assist in capacity building, provide multi-year grants, and form more partnerships around strategic issues

Application Process

• SOS reviews grant applications
• Finalists are invited to submit full proposals
• Application Volume: In 2017, SOS reviewed 273 grant applications
• Evaluation: Teams evaluate financials and strategic plans, ask questions, and visit the nonprofits
• Decision Process: The entire group has an opportunity to learn more about finalists at the annual "ballot fair"
• Voting: Members submit anonymous votes for proposals they believe are strongest

For specific application instructions and deadlines, visit spiritstlwomensfund.org