INSIGHTS is The Rome Group’s monthly newsletter designed to keep nonprofit leaders, funders, and changemakers informed and inspired. Each issue features timely sector news, thought-provoking articles, funding opportunities, and upcoming local events to support and strengthen your work. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­    ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  
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AUGUST INSIGHTS

2026 Philanthropic Landscape Recap

 

Each year, the Philanthropic Landscape gives us a chance to do something we don’t get to do often enough: gather as a nonprofit community, look together at the state of fundraising, and hear from innovators in the field. Last week, we were thrilled to do just that alongside so many colleagues, partners, and friends from across the region.

 

The morning began with a look at the latest giving data and trends shaping the nonprofit sector, followed by a keynote from Mallory Erickson exploring what it means to move beyond traditional, lagging indicators of fundraising success. Through the lens of agency, presence, and practice, Mallory challenged us to think differently about how we measure progress, use real-time information, and build more effective and sustainable fundraising practices.

 

If you weren't able to attend, you can access Dayna's presentation at the link below:

2026 Landscape Presentation

We're grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make the 2026 Philanthropic Landscape such a successful morning of connection and learning. We're already gearing up for next year - stay tuned!

Team plus Mallory Landscape 2026
IN THE NEWS (1)

Why the Future of Fundraising Depends on Identifying Donors Before They Give

Fundraising has always been about building relationships. But in today’s fundraising landscape, waiting for a donor to make the first move is no longer enough.  

Click here to read more.

Nonprofits Remain America's Most-Trusted Sector, New Poll Finds

For the seventh year, Independent Sector partnered with Edelman Data & Intelligence to examine how the American public views nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. The 2026 study includes a nationally representative survey of 3,000 U.S. adults and politically representative online focus groups.

Click here to read more.

AI Industry Philanthropy and the Future of Nonprofit Independence

AI companies are offering nonprofits free services and staff. Is the deal too good to be true?

Click here to read more.

IN THE NEWS (5)

Youhthbridge Community Foundation Youth Entrepreneurship Grants 

YouthBridge Community Foundation invites applications for Youth Entrepreneurship Grants to support youth entrepreneurship programs and organizations in the greater St. Louis Area.

For this Grant, youth entrepreneurship refers to an organization or program where youth develop and manage a business venture involving retailing a product or service.

Grant applications must focus on capacity building efforts for the program or the organization. It is anticipated that one to three grants will be awarded with amounts ranging from $10,000 to $45,000.

Applications are due September 4, 2026

Click here to learn more and apply.

Herbert A. and Adrian W. Woods Foundation

The Herbert A. and Adrian W. Woods Foundation was established on June 9, 1999, upon the death of Mrs. Adrian W. Woods. Mrs. Woods had a long history of charitable giving in the St. Louis community and wanted to establish this foundation to continue that legacy of giving. The Foundation supports charitable organizations primarily in the greater St. Louis, MO area.

The Foundation is dedicated to the founders' interest in charitable organizations that serve: abused, neglected, or troubled children; the poor; the Episcopal church & affiliates, including outreach programs; art and culture in the Metropolitan St. Louis area; animal welfare (in MO); victims of illness or disability, including research in this area. 

Applications are due September 1, 2026. 

Click here to learn more and apply.

Deaconess Foundation Seeding the Future Grants

Seeding the Future Grants are general operating funds awarded for one year to organizations with proposals that align with Deaconess's intended impact. Funding supports organizational and civic infrastructure expansion, advancement of public policies, and/or efforts impacting systems transformation through an intergenerational approach for the improved health and wellness of people in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois. This grant is designed to cultivate a partnership pipeline for the Movement Transformation Cohort. 

Request for Proposals closes September 25, 2026. 

Click here to learn more and apply.

The Saigh Foundation

The Saigh Foundation (pronounced “sigh”) works to enhance the quality of life for children and youth in the St. Louis metropolitan area by supporting educational and health-related charitable institutions and organizations. Established in 2000, the Foundation continues the philanthropic legacy of Fred Saigh, a St. Louis lawyer, businessman, real estate investor and owner of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team from 1947-1953.

Applications due October 15, 2026. 

Click here to learn more and apply.

IN THE NEWS-2

Activate: The Fundraising Readiness Summit

 

Activate: The Fundraising Readiness Summit is a free, virtual day hosted by Practivated and Mallory Erickson. On September 8, you will hear from Stanford behavior scientist BJ Fogg, Cherian Koshy on the science of why donors say yes, and Nathan Chappell on raising more without losing the human touch. 

The day runs across three practical tracks: Confidence (sector panels), Skills (practical how-to), and Muscle memory (live practice inside Practivated).

No cost, no travel, nothing being sold.

 

 

September 8

Free and fully virtual

Click here to learn more.

2026 Grant Professionals Association St. Louis Regional Chapter Conference:

Grants In Transition: Staying Strategic & Competitive in Today's Landscape

Save the date for GPA St. Louis's 2026 Regional Chapter Conference - Grants In Transition!

The conference will take place in-person at T-Rex in downtown St. Louis. Parking will be provided.

 

October 2

T-REX

911 Washington Ave, #500

St. Louis, MO 63101

Click here to learn more.

SAVE THE DATES: Show-Me Philanthropy Statewide Conference & Annual Meeting

The Show-Me Philanthropic Statewide Conference is a can't-miss opportunity for all Missouri funders, grantmakers, and partners to tap into the most up-to-date sector thinking that is timely, relevant, and actionable.

Philanthropy Missouri (PhiMO) offers a conference learning experience specifically tailored to Missouri philanthropy. Join funders from across the state to collaborate, amplify promising practices, and build enthusiasm for the future of philanthropy.

 

October 27-29

Delmar DivINe

5501 Delmar Blvd.

St. Louis, MO 63112

Click here to learn more.

IN THE NEWS-3

The Anxious Achiever (Podcast)

Host Morra Aarons-Mele is on a mission to reframe how we think about anxiety and mental health in the workplace. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S. We desperately need better models for leadership and a more holistic view of mental health.  Our culture tells those of us who suffer from anxiety and depression that we can't succeed, but we tell a different story - without sugarcoating the tough stuff. We feature stories from people who have been there and experts who can help you thrive.

Click here to find the podcast on your favorite app.

HBR Coaching Real Leaders (Podcast)

We all want to get to the next level of our career, but so many of us get stuck. Longtime leadership coach Muriel Wilkins takes you inside real-life leadership coaching sessions with high performers working to overcome professional challenges and grow as leaders. Listen in on real conversations and leave with new insights and practical guidance for your own career. 

Click here to learn more.

Nonprofit Job Openings 

See the latest opportunities to serve your community. 

OPEN JOBS

The People Section

Congratulations to the following individuals who are beginning new roles or celebrating well-earned promotions in the St. Louis nonprofit community, including both new hires and those recently promoted. 

 
Kristin Barker, MBA, MSW, Executive Director, KEEN St. Louis
Tracy Bono, Development Director, Boone Center, Inc.
Kendra Copanas, VP, Programs & Partnerships, Rx Outreach
Beth Elders, Chief Program Officer, Starkloff Disability Institute
Aimee Frey, Chief Development Officer, Ready Readers
Gabriella Harms, Chief Operating Officer, Every Child's Hope
Andrea Harper, Ed.D, Civic Engagement Manager, Great Rivers Greenway
Liz Henning, Executive Director, City Sewing Room
Ashley Huck, Office & Program Administrator, First Tee - Greater St. Louis
Robin Kraujalis, Director of Planned Gifts, St. Louis Zoo
Meredith Labuda, Philanthropy Officer for Annual Giving, St. Louis Children's Hospital Foundation
Kitty Lohrum, Chief Development Officer, Logan University
Holly Mason, Case Advocacy Supervisor, CASA St. Louis
Brittany McNeal, Instructor Assistant, Per Scholas
Matt Moler, Communications Manager, Rung for Women
Reeves Oyster, Director of Communications, Greater St. Louis Inc.
Sarah Paulsen, Program Manager, Pulitzer Arts Foundation
Erin Pohl, Assistant Executive Director, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
Stacy Pugh, Food Access Director, Urban Sprouts
Tierney Rhone, Case Advocacy Supervisor, CASA St. Louis
Patrice Shumate, Learning & Network Manager, PhilMO

    Do you have news about a job opening, new hire, promotion, or other happenings? If so, send us your news and we’ll consider including it in our next issue of Insights. 

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