Dear Members, Supporters, and Community Partners,
I am truly honored and grateful to have been elected as President of the St. Louis Philanthropic Organization. Thank you for the trust and confidence you have placed in me to lead this remarkable organization.I am humbled to serve alongside such a dedicated and passionate Board of Directors and committed members. Your commitment to our mission and to the St. Louis community is both inspiring and motivating, and our community partners play a vital role in helping us bring that mission to life. I do not take this responsibility lightly, and I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity to contribute to the continued growth and impact of our organization.
"The St. Louis Philanthropic Organization plays a vital and indispensable role in
uplifting our community."
As we look to the future, I am energized by the incredible work we have already accomplished together and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. My commitment is to foster a spirit of collaboration, transparency, and innovation—ensuring that every voice is valued as we navigate both challenges and new possibilities.
Together, we will build upon our strong foundation and remain steadfast in our dedication to service. With our shared vision and collective expertise, I am confident that our best work is yet to come. We will continue striving to make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of those we serve throughout St. Louis.
I invite you to join us as we build on our legacy and create positive, sustainable change for our community. Thank you again for this tremendous honor and for your continued support.
I look forward to working with each of you as we embark on this new chapter and advance the mission of the St. Louis Philanthropic Organization.
With Gratitude,
Samuel Coleman
Board President of St. Louis Philanthropic Organization, Inc.
2025-2027
St. Louis Philanthropic Organization provides funding and capacity building to non profit organizations whose programs and services advance the quality of life for St. Louis City residents.
We fund local nonprofits working on our specific focus areas.
We provide training, resources, and support to strengthen leadership, boost efficiency, and expand impact.
Through our funding and capacity building, we invest in the future of St. Louis City.
As a steward of vital community resources, SLPO funds programs and initiatives that enhance the quality of life in St. Louis City. Grantees utilize both qualitative and quantitative measures to assess their impact and demonstrate the community’s return on investment.
Dedication to the mission is the foundation of all SLPO functions and award decisions. Board members exemplify this commitment through active participation in governance and grantmaking, responsiveness to grantees and the community, and responsible resource management.
Commitment to the mission drives all SLPO functions and award decisions. Board members uphold this dedication through active participation in governance and grantmaking, responsiveness to grantees and the community, and responsible resource management.
SLPO maintains financial stability by operating within generally accepted financial guidelines and its funding capacity. The foundation upholds its commitments, adheres to high operating standards, ensures transparency in decision-making, and follows its bylaws.
SLPO champions equity by supporting fair treatment, opportunity, and advancement for the City’s most vulnerable populations. The foundation collaborates with partners to eliminate disparities that impact their quality of life.
A culture of respect is essential to SLPO’s effectiveness. Its leaders and volunteers uphold professionalism, embrace diverse perspectives, and communicate with integrity in both internal and external relationships.
The St. Louis Philanthropic Organization (SLPO) was established in 1984 following a civil lawsuit won by the City of St. Louis against cable companies.
SLPO was organized as a nonprofit to distribute charitable dollars to organizations whose programs enhance health, education, and social welfare in St. Louis.
In 2015, the Board held a strategic planning retreat that resulted in the development of Guiding Principles. The Board also revised the mission statement to better reflect the evolution of the organization's grantmaking and future direction. Additionally, the Board expanded the grantmaking priorities to include Responsive Grants, Capacity Building, and Multi-Year Initiatives.
The year 2019 marked the 35th anniversary of annual grant awards, with a total of $300,000 granted to nonprofit organizations. In October of that year, four organizations each received a special one-time grant of $2,500, totaling $10,000, to support their efforts in helping St. Louis City residents navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2020, the Board launched the SLPO's Capacity Building activities, which included a workshop series provided at no cost to participants, and a website dedicated to providing resources to nonprofits to support their organizational development needs.
In 2021, the Board established SLPO's social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. An internship program was initiated to manage the social media and website activities.
City of St. Louis - License Collector, Field Service Manager
Healthcare Advisor, Anthem
Owner, Beauty to Beauty
Boeing Company, Sr. Project Engineer
JW Investment Group, LLC, Managing Partner and Project Manager
Attorney
Community Volunteer
Community Volunteer
Community Volunteer
Dentons US LLP, St. Louis Managing Partner
R & M Investment and Holdings Group, LLC., Chief Executive Officer
Good Journey Development Foundation, Founder & Executive Director
