With the latest round of grants the Jefferson Foundation awarded, it has now provided more than 1,000 grants to a variety of agencies that promote individual and community health and well-being.
The foundation announced this month that it awarded another 80 grants to 73 area organizations for a total of $2,438,583.58.
The foundation has awarded 1,033 grants for a total of about $49.4 million since it began administering them in 2014, Jefferson Foundation executive vice president Missy Endres said.
Endres said she is proud of the foundation surpassing the 1,000-grant milestone.
“I think that is amazing,” she said. “I think that is a great thing for the community.”
The foundation, which is funded with $154 million the Mercy health system paid in 2013 when it acquired Jefferson Regional Medical Center (now Mercy Hospital Jefferson) in Crystal City, announced it latest round of grants this month.
Since 2018, the foundation has been awarding grants in two rounds each year, with organizations notified about the grants they’ve received in May and November. Then, the foundation starts sending the funds to groups at the start of June and December.
In this year’s first round of grants, the foundation awarded 95 grants worth a total of $2,400,579 to 92 recipients. That means the foundation awarded $4,839,162.58 in grants this year.
In the latest round of grant requests, the foundation received 113 applications seeking $5,404,175 in funding, Endres said.
The three agencies that received the largest amount of money in the latest round of grants are St. Louis Counseling, which was awarded $200,000, Upward Smiles, which received $175,000, and OATS Inc., which received two grants for a total of $126,000.
The second round of grants, much like the first round, were influenced by the effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Jefferson County, Endres said.
“If you look at the grants overall, there is a focus on mental health and basic needs,” Endres said. “A lot of that is because of COVID and what we are hearing about what is needed.”
In March, the foundation created the Coronavirus Assistance Grant Program to award money to groups that provide local people with food and financial assistance. For the new program, the foundation reached out to food pantries and religious organizations it already had relationships with to see if a special round of grants would help those impacted by the coronavirus, Endres said.
As of Nov. 17, the foundation had awarded 33 grants totaling $269,500 to help people impacted by COVID-19, according to foundation records.
“I think it has been very beneficial,” said Endres, who said the CAG program will continue to provide grants of up to $15,000 to food pantries and $5,000 for other groups as long as the pandemic is affecting lives. “Some of the agencies have spent the funds and reported back to us. It seems like it is helping them meet the needs that are out there. It was a good thing to set up.”
St. Louis Counseling
St. Louis Counseling, formerly called Catholic Family Services, was the top recipient in the foundation’s latest round of grants.
It will use the $200,000 grant to continue the counseling programs in the county’s parochial schools and at the organization’s Herculaneum office.
“The grant gives us the ability to be here, especially in these times of COVID, which we know is also a mental health pandemic,” said Tom Duff, St. Louis Counseling executive director. “We know that accessibility is one of the biggest factors of not getting mental health treatment. The Herculaneum office and different schools we are in provide sites throughout the county where people have access to mental health services.”
Duff said the agency serves about 1,000 people a year at its Herculaneum office and about 1,500 students through either presentations or individual sessions during a typical school year.
In 2019, the agency received two grants for a total of $325,000. Of that, $200,000 was used to provide mental health counseling in county parochial and public schools, and $125,000 provided counseling services at its Herculaneum office, 1349 McNutt Street.
St. Louis Counseling has received $1,678,807.16 from the foundation since 2014. That total includes a $509,787 grant the organization received in 2016 as part of the foundation’s proactive grant program, which provided larger sums doled out over a three-year period.
“This is a grant we have made the last several years,” Endres said of the money awarded to St. Louis Counseling. “We have always been pleased and impressed with their results when they submit their final report. It was definitely one we wanted to continue.”
Duff said he appreciates the six-year relationship St. Louis Counseling has had with the foundation.
“One of the things we value a lot about them is they listen,” Duff said. “They listen to the providers and look at the data from a needs assessment and make their determinations from there. It is a very welcoming, opening and collaborative approach that makes a huge difference when it comes to meeting the needs of others.”
Upward Smiles
The Upward Smiles dental agency, which provides services to children from low-income families in Jefferson County, will use its $175,000 grant to buy equipment, founder and CEO Sherry Cauley said.
Cauley said the group will purchase a Solea laser, which costs about $140,000, and then use the remaining $35,000 to buy sanitizing equipment.
The Solea is an all-tissue laser used in dentistry to provide anesthesia-free procedures, Cauley said.
“It should make the experience better, so hopefully as the children grow up, they will not have those scary moments in their brain that keeps them from going to the dentist,” Cauley said. “We want to make it as pleasant an experience as possible.”
Cauley said the rest of the grant will help the group’s dentist offices – at 660 N. Creek Drive in Festus and 2820 Anchor Drive in Farmington – meet one of the challenges COVID-19 has presented for dentistry.
“We are looking at all the aspects that will keep our patients and staff safe,” Cauley said. “With everything that is going on, people still need dental care.”
Upward Smiles has received $2,124,805.69 in grants from the foundation since 2014.
“We are thrilled to continue to support Upward Smiles,” Endres said. “They are providing a service no one else in the county is providing. This grant will help them get some new equipment to help them continue to provide high-quality services.”
OATS
OATS Transit Inc., which is based in Columbia and provides transportation services in 87 counties in Missouri, including Jefferson County, received one grant for $26,000 and another for $100,000.
The $26,000 will be used to help buy two new buses to be used in Jefferson County. OATS took over ownership of the JeffCo Express bus system in December 2019, and it also runs the JC Transit service for the Jefferson County Developmental Disabilities Resource Board and its own transportation service, primarily for seniors and disabled people.
Jill Stedem, administrative and development director for OATS, said the foundation’s $26,000 grant provides the matching funds the agency needs to receive a federal grant, which will cover 80 percent of the cost for the two buses. Stedem said each new bus will cost about $65,000, and plans call for the buses to be purchased in late summer or early fall 2021.
“The buses could be utilized for any of our three services,” Stedem said. “However, we will likely use them to replace buses on the (Jeffco Express) Arnold route.”
OATS has 61 buses in its fleet serving Jefferson County, and buses typically are replaced every five to seven years, Stedem said.
“It is important to keep their fleet up to date because that is what keeps their buses running smoothly,” Endres said. “We are very happy to be able to provide that.”
Stedem said the $100,000 grant will help offset some of the $2 million it costs to run the three Jefferson County services each year.
“We are very grateful to the Jefferson Foundation for their continued support,” Stedem said. “We would not be able to provide service without their help. It is critical to have local funding sources we can use toward our federal grants.”
Other large grants
■ The Jefferson County Community Partnership received two grants totaling $100,992.58, including a $10,992.58 grant to help the group complete a strategic plan and a $90,000 grant to support the Partnership’s Children and Families Safe program.
“They want to do the strategic plan because they have spun off the transportation program to OATS, and this will help them look at what is next for them,” Endres said. “(The Children and Families Safe program) is a great program that we support every year. It helps families with parent education and screenings.”
■ Office of Job Training Programs was awarded a $100,000 to upgrade technology and enhance direct services to individuals.
“It will enhance the services they provide to people who are seeking employment,” Endres said. “We know they are working hard and are being hit with a huge demand for services. We are very pleased we could help.”
■ Rainbow Village got a $100,000 grant to build a home in Jefferson County to provide respite for adults with developmental disabilities and behavioral issues, and Services by Design received $50,000 to help with startup costs to begin operating the new home.
“(Rainbow Village) will develop a home, and Services by Design will provide the program support,” Endres said. “This is not offered in Jefferson County right now. The closest home is in Ferguson, and there is a huge wait list to get into that home. We are very excited they will provide these services for Jefferson County residents. People will be able to get into services faster and not travel outside of the county.”
Jefferson Foundation’s 2020 Round 2 grants:
■ St. Louis Counseling: $200,000 to provide mental health counseling and presentations in Jefferson County parochial schools and at the agency’s office in Herculaneum.
■ Upward Smiles Inc.: $175,000 to purchase new dental and sanitizing equipment.
■ OATS Inc.: $126,000 total – $100,000 to provide program support for the JeffCo
Express public transportation program; $26,000 to provide matching funds for two new buses for the JeffCo Express program.
■ Jefferson County Community Partnership: $100,992.58 total – $90,000 to provide program support for the Children and Families Safe program; $10,992.58 to support the agency in completing a strategic plan.
■ Office of Job Training Programs: $100,000 to upgrade technology and enhance direct services to individuals.
■ Rainbow Village: $100,000 to purchase or build a home in Jefferson County that will provide respite for adults with developmental disabilities and high behavior needs.
■ Feed My People: $74,500 total – $65,000 to update the agency’s HVAC and duct work and to increase the visibility of the agency; $9,500 to purchase food and to assist with general operating expenses.
■ Disability Resource Association Inc.: $70,000 total – $45,000 to buy vehicles for the transportation and home modification programs; $25,00 to help the agency create and implement a development plan.
■ Pony Bird Inc.: $67,256 to upgrade the agency’s facilities, including duct cleaning, floor replacement and renovating bathrooms.
■ Jefferson College Foundation Inc.: 64,000 total – $54,000 to provide scholarships to 18 students entering health occupation programs; $10,000 to purchase food and personal items for the agency’s food pantry.
■ Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services: $60,000 to support the Family Solutions for Kids program in Jefferson County.
■ Great Circle: $55,000 to support the Incredible Years Parent Education program for 76 families in Jefferson County.
■ ALIVE: $50,000 to support counseling services, transportation services and the Nights of Safety program for Jefferson County victims of domestic violence.
■ New Hope Fellowship: $50,000 to purchase a refrigerated truck to deliver meals to children in Jefferson County.
■ Peace Pantry: $50,000 to add a covered addition to the agency’s multipurpose building, providing a safer way for volunteers to distribute food.
■ Services by Design: $50,000 to provide startup funds for a new respite home Rainbow Village will buy or build.
■ Teen Challenge of St. Louis: $50,000 to purchase two used vans to provide transportation for clients.
■ Get Healthy De So: $45,000 to install a commercial kitchen at the De Soto Farmers Market.
■ Center for Hearing and Speech: $40,000 to provide hearing and screening services at Jefferson County schools and a full-service audiology program for Jefferson County residents.
■ HEROES CARE Inc.: $40,000 to buy a van to pick up and deliver donated items.
■ Living Well Village Foundation: $40,000 to provide scholarships for the residential summer weight loss camp for kids.
■ St. Pius X High School: $40,000 to support the expansion of the school’s Wellness Center, which will increase exercise opportunities for students and community members.
■ Arnold Food Pantry: $39,202 to buy a van to pick up donated food.
■ Living Life on 2 Wheels Inc.: $35,000 total – $25,000 to construct bike playgrounds and trails in Jefferson County; $10,000 to implement the All Kids Bike program in Jefferson County.
■ Sunnyhill Inc.: $35,531 to buy and install a generator for the agency’s Living Center.
■ Operation Food Search: $35,000 to develop a plan to help local communities strengthen their response to food insecurity issues.
■ Our Little Haven: $35,000 to support the Medical Case Management, Foster Care Case Management and Keystone Mental Health Services programs in Jefferson County.
■ St. Louis Area Foodbank: $35,000 to support 60 mobile food markets in Jefferson County and to support services for local food pantries.
■ Victory Christian Fellowship: $35,000 total – $25,000 to buy equipment for the food pantry and hot meals program; $10,000 to provide program support for the basic needs program.
■ Ozark Food Pantry: $32,090 to buy a van to pick up donated food and hygiene supplies.
■ Anthropedia Foundation: $30,000 to support the wellness center in the Northwest R-1 School District and to provide workshops and seminars throughout the community.
■ Jefferson County Habitat for Humanity: $30,000 to buy a truck to pick up donated items.
■ Brenden’s Friday Backpack Program Inc.: $25,000 to buy a truck to deliver the weekly backpacks of food to schools.
■ Hand ‘n Hand Pregnancy Help Center: $25,000 to help the agency provide clients with pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, health-related educational materials and basic needs.
■ The Covering House: $25,000 to buy food and to help cover general operating expenses at the long-term therapeutic home.
■ The Oasis Institute: $25,000 to provide virtual health and wellness classes in Jefferson County.
■ Living Faith Food Pantry: $24,468 to buy heating and cooling equipment for the food pantry.
■ Jefferson County Government: $20,000 to provide emotional survival training for Jefferson County law enforcement officers.
■ Parents as Teachers-Festus: $20,000 to buy hearing and vision screening equipment.
■ Court Appointed Special Advocates of Jefferson County: $18,436 to support the agency’s marketing efforts to recruit potential CASA volunteers.
■ Family Forward: $16,016 to buy new technology for the agency’s office in Hillsboro. The equipment will be used for the foster care program.
■ Brain Injury Association of Missouri: $15,000 to provide services to survivors of brain injury and their families in Jefferson County.
■ Cherish: $15,000 total – $10,000 to expand grief counseling and support group services; $5,000 to help develop a permanent meeting space for grief services.
■ Endless Opportunities Worldwide: $15,000 to buy a used truck and trailer that will allow the agency to serve more families.
■ Jefferson County Pregnancy Care Center: $15,000 to provide parenting classes and to help families with basic needs.
■ Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis: $15,000 to provide program support for the agency to help Jefferson County families.
■ St. Louis Area Diaper Bank: $15,000 to provide program support for the diaper and period supply program in Jefferson County.
■ Good Shepherd Catholic School: $14,725 to increase mental and general health services for students.
■ Windsor C-1 School District: $13,723 to develop a sensory room at the elementary school.
■ All For Family: $13,380 to support a training event that will help foster families obtain required training hours.
■ Jeffco Subcontracting Inc. Sheltered Workshop: $12,500 to purchase new equipment that will maintain and expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
■ Jefferson County Rescue Mission: $12,500 to buy safer and more efficient windows.
■ Developmental Disability Advocates: $12,000 to upgrade the bathroom facilities at the sheltered workshop.
■ Covenant House Missouri: $10,000 to provide services for Jefferson County youth who are homeles or at-risk for homelessness.
■ Heart of the Apostle Fellowship: $10,000 to provide program support for the toy and food distribution program and for the basic needs program for homeless teens and adults.
■ Herculaneum Fire Department: $10,000 to buy thermal imaging cameras to help find people during fires and in missing persons cases.
■ Make-A-Wish Missouri and Kansas: $10,000 to grant wishes for Jefferson County children who have a critical illness.
■ Spirit Strides Inc.: $10,000 to provide equine therapy scholarships and program support.
■ Cedar Hill Fire Protection District: $9,429 to fund online continuing education classes for the agency’s personnel for a 5-year period.
■ Deaf Empowerment Awareness Foundation Inc., dba DEAF, Inc.: $9,148 to provide deaf awareness and sensitivity training to Jefferson County first responders.
■ Dental Health Theatre Inc.: $5,550 to provide two new health focused programs for Jefferson County families at the HealthWorks! Kids Museum in St. Louis.
■ Maryville University of St. Louis: $5,137 to expand and enhance telepractice services for the speech therapy program.
■ De Soto School District: $5,000 to provide support for the basic needs program.
■ Finding Grace Ministries: $5,000 to buy computers and software and for staff trainings.
■ Good Shepherd Children and Family Services: $5,000 to provide financial assistance to families participating in the agency’s Pregnancy and Parenting Support program.
■ Hope Lutheran Church: $5,000 to provide direct financial assistance to people and families in need.
■ Society of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Rose of Lima Conference: $5,000 to provide financial assistance to people and families in need.
■ Society of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Anthony’s Church in High Ridge: $5,000 to provide financial assistance to people and families in need.
■ St. Louis Learning Disabilities Association Inc.: $5,000 to provide early intervention screenings at early childhood centers in Jefferson County.
■ Tri-County Veterans in Need Team Inc.: $5,000 to provide program support for the basic needs program.
■ Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church: $5,000 to support the back-to-school program that provides backpacks, supplies and health screenings.
■ Recess: $2,000 to buy program supplies and equipment for the respite program.