[May 17, 2019]

St. Louis Community Foundation Awards $3 Million in Grants from Bridgeton Landfill Community Project Fund

The St. Louis Community Foundation is pleased to announce the first grant recipients from the Bridgeton Landfill Community Project Fund. Just over $3 million has been awarded from this fund to area nonprofits with projects or initiatives dedicated to the betterment of the environment, health, safety, and the welfare of the people in the communities near the Bridgeton Landfill.

After a nearly year-long informational and research gathering process, which included several public community meetings, the St. Louis Community Foundation identified the following four areas to receive priority funding: public safety, behavioral and mental health, community greening, and access to health care.

This first cycle of funding was earmarked for public safety and mental health initiatives. In addition, small grants are being awarded to community-based organizations located in proximity to the Bridgeton Landfill.

Organizations were selected by a grant review committee that was composed of members of the St. Louis Community Foundation Board, residents, and representatives of businesses from the affected area, and members of the philanthropic community.

"The St. Louis Community Foundation is proud to work with the communities around the Bridgeton Landfill to bring additional and innovative programming to the area," said Amelia Bond, president and CEO of the St. Louis Community Foundation. "We have had an overwhelming response to the Fund, both as we were exploring how best to use the resources and in response to this first funding opportunity."

Public safety grants totaling $1.26 million were awarded to the following:

• The Pattonville Fire Protection District - The Fire Protection District will purchase an industrial pumper truck for specialized firefighting needs throughout the area.
• St. Luis County Local Emergency Planning Committee - NOAA two-way radios and emergency kits will be purchased for residents.

• Alive & Well Communities for activating healing in the Hazelwood West Middle School and surrounding community through Community Consultants
• Behavioral Health Network for the Bridgeton Intensive Outreach Project
• Boys & Girls Club of St. Charles County for the Healthy Habits Program
• CHADS Coalition for mental health school outreach
• NCADA for the Prevention First initiative
• Pattonville School District for staffing support for social-emotional needs
• Room at the Inn for overcoming mental health & trauma issues for homeless women
• St. Louis Crisis Nursery for the Family Empowerment Program
• University of Missouri, St. Louis - Center for Behavioral Health for psychological evaluation and trauma assessment
• Youth in Need for professional mental health counseling

Small Community-Based Grants
A total of $70,000 was awarded to the following community organizations to fund environment or public health initiatives.

• Bridgeway Elementary School for a sensory garden
• Congregation of the Mission Western Province for the clearing of brush and regrading drainage ditches
• Garrett Elementary for an outdoor classroom
• Harmony Inc. St. Louis Chordinals for Singing for Health program
• H.E.A.L.: STOP HEROIN Inc. for general operating support
• Loaves and Fishes for St. Louis Inc. for emergency shelter and food pantry
• MBCH Children and Family Ministries for the MBCH counseling center
• Pattonville Early Childhood PTO for a playground
• Pattonville R-III School District for Pattonville youth garden
• Remington Traditional School PTO for refillable water stations
• Rose Acres Elementary School PTO for outdoor classroom seating
• St. Animal Pet Adoptions for a spay/neuter clinic
• St. Charles County Department of Public Health for public health air monitoring
• Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Service for medical and dental assistance for homeless
• St. Louis Area Foodbank for Feeding Bridgeton initiative
• Simplechurch Inc. for a backpack program
• Walters Walk for mental health counseling

These are the first round of grants to be awarded between now and July 2022. Future grants will address access to health care, public safety, as well as community greening.

The Bridgeton Landfill Community Project Fund was created through a legal settlement between the State of Missouri and Bridgeton Landfill LLC, Allied Services LLC, and Republic Services Inc. in June 2018. It is administered by the St. Louis Community Foundation.

About the St. Louis Community Foundation
The St. Louis Community Foundation is a nonprofit foundation composed of nearly 700 charitable funds with total assets of approximately $500 million. Each fund represents a unique charitable giving partnership between an individual, family, or business and designated nonprofit recipients.

In 2018, the Foundation and its donors distributed nearly $90 million to nonprofits around the world. Over the last 10 years, the St. Louis Community Foundation and its donors made nearly $422 million in grants to charitable organizations. In both periods approximately 90 percent remained in St. Louis and supported local nonprofits.

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