Philanthropy Missouri Hosts 2nd Statewide Show-Me Philanthropy Conference & Annual Meeting
Philanthropy Missouri (PhilMO) convened grantmakers from across Missouri for its 2nd annual statewide conference and annual meeting, Show-Me Philanthropy: Bridging Divides on Thursday, January 25, and Friday, January 26, at the Delmar DivINe in St. Louis. More than 90 individuals participated from across the state including representatives from corporate foundations and giving programs, tax-supported funds, community foundations, family foundations, donor-advised funds, private foundations, and community partners.
“We were pleased to offer learning sessions over the two-day Conference that challenged Missouri grantmakers to think about how they can bridge divides in both their professional and personal lives,” said Michelle Miller, President & CEO of Philanthropy Missouri. “This year, as divisions deepen, intentionally cultivating meaningful connections with other funders, funded partners, and the people in the communities served helps break down barriers and enables us to utilize philanthropy as a tool to advance a more equitable, thriving Missouri.”
Thursday’s agenda included two pre-Conference opportunities: a convening of the Public Policy & Advocacy Funders Network, a group of Missouri funders working to advance economic infrastructure through policy and systems change, and an offsite Social Determinants of Health Tour, presented by Rose Anderson-Rice with Generate Health. The Conference officially kicked off on Thursday afternoon with meetings of PhilMO’s Corporate Funder and Family Foundation & Donor-Advised Fund Networks, a site visit of the Delmar DivINe, and a DEI Power Hour facilitated by Rachel D’Souza and Amie Bossi with Gladiator Consulting.
The first day of the Conference ended with a Show-Me Social welcome reception at the AC Hotel Central West End. Friday’s agenda opened with a plenary session featuring a keynote presentation — “Perspectives from the Field: Funder & Social Service Providers’ Experience of Power Dynamics & the Shift to True Partnership” — by Irene Caudillo, Chief of Staff to Mayor Garner, Unified Government of Wyandotte County. Caudillo called on funders to open dialogue with community-based partners and listen deeply to their expertise and understanding of community. Responding to Caudillo’s remarks was a panel featuring Nikki Martinez, St. Louis Community Foundation; Serena Muhammad, St. Louis MHB; Emily van Schenkhof, Missouri Children’s Trust Fund; and Allen Smart, PhilanthropywoRx.
Following the opening plenary, participants had the opportunity to network and peruse the “Show-Me Library” where The Novel Neighbor, a woman-owned independent bookstore, provided a curated collection of texts relevant to Missouri funders for purchase. Two rounds of breakout sessions followed, which explored a variety of topics that provided opportunity for reflection on the importance of bridging divides to advance impactful philanthropy. Topics included:
- The Intersection of Faith, Philanthropy, and Advancing Democracy, presented by Amy McIsaac, Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE)
- Urban-Rural Connectivity: Working Together to Make Missouri Thrive, presented by Allen Smart, PhilanthropywoRx
- Grants in the Gateway: Advancing Equitable Community Development, presented by Michael Eggleston, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
- Shifting Perspectives to Bridge Power Divides in Philanthropy, presented by Katie Kaufmann, Marcel Scaife, and Victoria “Tori” Umstattd Cope, Missouri Foundation for Health
- How Changing Philanthropic Trends Affect Community-Based Organizations, featuring a panel of nonprofit leaders including Kendra Copanas, Generate Health; LaKricia Cox, Girls in the Know; Janett Lewis, Rustic Roots Sanctuary; Monique Thomas, Cornerstone; Andy Thorpe, Crown Center for Senior Living, and Anne Volland, Nurses for Newborns.
- Trends in Philanthropy Practice: Justice Philanthropy - Shifting to More Equitable Philanthropy Practice, presented by Annissa McCaskill, Nichole Murphy, and Sara Paracha, Forward Through Ferguson
- The Power of Stories and Storytelling to Connect, facilitated by Gwen Wurst, J.R. Albert Foundation
The Conference ended with Philanthropy Missouri’s 53rd Annual Meeting. Wendell Kimbrough, CEO of ARCHS and PhilMO Board Chair, presided over the meeting. Kimbrough recognized PhilMO’s eight new Members from across Missouri who joined the organization in 2023. New grantmaking Members include The Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri, Flourish-A Family Foundation, Horwitz-Friedman Charitable Fund, James S. McDonnell Foundation, Shepard McCaskill Foundation, and Silver Dollar City Foundation. New Associate Members include Foundation Source and Gladiator Consulting.
Kimbrough also discussed one of the Board’s 2023 priorities — establishing PhilMO organizational values — and presented the values to the membership:
- Belonging - We cultivate relationships and build community where individuals and institutions are understood, respected, and invited to contribute.
- Courageous Leadership - We inspire the sector to challenge norms and mobilize resources to advance opportunities to thrive in Missouri.
- Equity - We believe identity should not predict outcomes for Missourians and use that lens to share our work and influence philanthropic practice.
- Impact - We create an environment of shared learning to forward a strategic, collaborative, and equitable philanthropic sector.
Following Board of Directors elections, Kimbrough welcomed four new Directors:
- Elke Buckland, The Saigh Foundation (3-year term)
- Tod Martin, Shepard McCaskill Foundation (3-year term)
- Laura Horwitz, Horwitz-Friedman Donor-Advised Fund and J.F. Roblee Foundation (3-year term)
- Greg Burris, United Way of the Ozarks (1-year term)
The following three Directors were elected to serve a second three-year term:
- Wendell Kimbrough, ARCHS
- Winter Kinne, Community Foundation of the Ozarks
- Rebekah Miller, Lutheran Foundation
- Robin Smith, DeBruce Foundation
PhilMO Board Officers elected for 2024 are:
- Wendell Kimbrough, ARCHS, Chair
- Winter Kinne, Community Foundation of the Ozarks, Vice Chair
- Barbara Carswell, Youthbridge Community Foundation, Treasurer
- Vianey Beltran, Wells Fargo Foundation, Secretary
Four outgoing Board Members were recognized for their outstanding service to the organization: Angela Brown, formerly of St. Louis Regional Health Commission; Jane Callahan, J.F. Roblee Foundation; Vander Corliss, United Way of Greater St. Louis; Rich Ryffel, formerly of First Bank.
PhilMO’s Show-Me Philanthropy Statewide Conference was sponsored by Emerson. Visit philanthropymissouri.org/events/statewide-conference for more photos and highlights from the event.
About Philanthropy Missouri
Since 1970, Philanthropy Missouri (formerly known as Gateway Center for Giving) has helped to equip, connect, and energize grantmakers toward thoughtful action and greater impact. As one of many philanthropy-serving associations across the country, we envision a thriving and equitable Missouri, served by a collaborative, purpose-driven, and effective philanthropic sector. Our Members include corporations, family foundations, donor-advised funds, private foundations, tax-supported foundations, trusts, and professional advisors who are actively involved in the philanthropic sector. To learn more, visit www.philanthropymissouri.org.