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.
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR 2025 PHILANTHROPIC LANDSCAPE
Join us on August 28th at COCA for a morning of networking, fresh data on local and national giving trends, and a powerful keynote from Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight. This year’s theme, Meeting the Moment, offers nonprofit leaders timely insight and tools to navigate uncertainty and build resilience. Don’t miss this essential conversation.
Trust in Nonprofits Holds Strong Despite Political Attacks
The nonprofit sector remains among the most trusted institutions in American society. However, there are signs this trust may be fraying amid concerns about the role of the federal government and the influence of wealthy donors. More specifically, Americans are increasingly skeptical of the motivations of the ultra-wealthy when it comes to their participation in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. Read more here.
GoFundMe Enters the DAF Game: What It Means for Everyday Giving
With much fanfare, GoFundMe recently announced it was rolling out its version of a donor-advised fund — which it’s calling simply a Giving Fund. Not surprisingly, GoFundMe is excited by its new offering’s potential to increase giving. Outside observers the Chronicle spoke with also viewed this as a net positive; they say a new offering by a well-known brand is likely to be a rising tide that lifts all DAFs. Read more here.
7 Tips to Kickstart Monthly Giving and Boost Your Nonprofit’s Financial Health
Monthly donors are some of the most valuable supporters for nonprofits: They provide a reliable and steady source of income, often stay with an organization for multiple years, and have the potential to give bigger sums or even become legacy donors if treated well. Read more here to gain expert advice to help you build a monthly giving program that delivers, from setting up the systems and tools you’ll need to finding potential donors and ensuring they stick around.
Data Visuals That Wow: 5 Easy Ways to Show Impact
Clear data visuals are among the most powerful tools a foundation or nonprofit can use to communicate progress, inform decisions, and build trust with stakeholders. A successful chart shows at a glance what you are achieving, answering common questions about your organization’s impact. Find out more here.
Philanthropy’s Trigger Words — and How to Make Your Message Clear
Polarization isn’t just reshaping national politics. It’s reshaping how nonprofits talk to the people they serve, the partners they need, and the communities they hope to bring together.You say ‘equity.’ They hear ‘exclusion.’ Read here to learn strategies for getting everyone on the same page.
Capital Campaigns — Full Speed Ahead or Time to Pull Back?
This article explores whether nonprofits should move forward with capital campaigns during uncertain times. Experts say there’s no universal answer, some organizations thrive by staying the course, while others may benefit from pausing. Success depends on timing, internal readiness, and strong donor relationships. Read more here.
What the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Means for Charitable Giving — and What Nonprofits Should Do Now
Curious how new legislation could impact charitable giving? This article breaks down the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” and what it means for nonprofits. It offers clear, actionable tips to help organizations prepare and adapt. A must-read for nonprofit leaders and fundraisers looking to stay ahead of the curve. Read more here.
5 Nonprofit Trends to Help Your Organization Thrive in 2025
Want to stay ahead in 2025? This article highlights five key trends shaping the future of nonprofits—from AI and personalization to donor expectations and new tech tools. A quick, insightful read for anyone looking to strengthen their strategy in the year ahead. Read more here.
Missouri Foundation for Health Announces Opening of Health Equity Fund
The Health Equity Fund, formerly Opportunity Fund, will open on July 15, 2025. The Health Equity Fund supports organizations working to ensure all Missourians have a fair and just opportunity to live their healthiest lives by changing systems that create barriers to health. Click here to learn more.
AFP St. Louis Chapter Gateway Conference - Fundraisers' Legacy: 50 Years of Relationships, Resilience & Results
The AFP St. Louis Chapter Gateway Conference on August 6-7, 2025 will celebrate 50 years of advancing philanthropy in St. Louis. This year’s theme honors the remarkable impact of fundraisers who have built lasting relationships, demonstrated resilience through changing times, and delivered measurable results for their organizations and communities. This 1.5-day conference will feature inspiring keynote speakers, interactive workshops, and meaningful networking opportunities designed to empower you with tools and strategies to elevate your fundraising success. Click here to learn more and register.
St. Louis Racial Equity Summit by Forward Through Ferguson
The 2025 St. Louis Racial Equity Summit will be hosted by Forward Through Ferguson on August 8-9, 2025 at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Forward Through Ferguson aims to ensure that the Ferguson Commission's 189 calls to action are not forgotten. They look forward to convening hundreds of advocates in-person and online to exchange ideas, insights, and perspectives on ways to transform the St. Louis region into a racially equitable place to live and thrive. Click here to learn more.
2025 Philanthropic Landscape - Meeting the Moment
Save the date for TRG's 2025 Philanthropic Landscape on August 28th! We are excited to be back at COCA. Start your morning with coffee, networking, and connection, doors open at 7:30 AM. Then, dive into insights from The Rome Group’s annual Nonprofit Survey, revealing key trends shaping our region. Finally, hear a powerful keynote from Dr. Leigh Anne Taylor Knight offering a timely call to action for nonprofit leaders to build resilience and meet this moment with clarity and purpose.
Prior to this event, TRG conducts a survey of St. Louis area nonprofits to track trends in the philanthropic sector. Results of the survey will be shared at the Landscape Event.
If you are an Executive Director, CEO, or a Development Director at your organization, please take a moment to complete our survey. Click here to complete.
Spectrum Conference: Business NOT as Usual
Spectrum is the region’s premier conference for nonprofit marketing communications professionals. The day-long conference, brought to you by Nonprofit Marketers Network–STL, brings together a diverse group of professionals representing 90+ nonprofit organizations, marketing experts, and industry leaders. This year's conference on October 17, 2025 will focus on the many innovative ways that nonprofit marketing professionals think and work differently to accomplish their goals and move missions forward. Click here to register and learn more.
THINKSGIVING: A Day of Collaboration for a Lifetime of Impact
THINKSGIVING partners St. Louis nonprofits with teams from smart businesses for a day of creative problem-solving focused on the future. Mark your calendars for November 6, 2025. For more information, click here to learn more.
The Rome Group's book club offers a space for our team to explore books that inspire personal and professional growth. This quarter, we are reading:
Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann
In Killers of the Flower Moon, David Grann revisits a shocking series of crimes in which dozens of people were murdered in cold blood. Based on years of research and startling new evidence, the book is a masterpiece of narrative nonfiction, as each step in the investigation reveals a series of sinister secrets and reversals. But more than that, it is a searing indictment of the callousness and prejudice toward American Indians that allowed the murderers to operate with impunity for so long. Click here to learn more.
Last spring, we established goals related to our ongoing commitment to DEI as an organization. At our most recent team meeting, we watched and discussed two TED talks that focus on self-awareness and understanding our own perceptions. Thanks to Ready Readers for sharing the following resources:
Melissa Brooks, Administrative Coordinator, St. Louis Area Foodbank
Deb Cottin, Chief Development Officer, Safe Connections
Kathy Christy, Community Outreach Specialist, Southwest Missouri Region of Missouri Coalition for the Environment
Deb Cottin, Chief Development Officer, Safe Connections
Darcella Craven, Director of Government & Community Relations, Operation Food Search
Mike Dineen, Director of Donor Engagement Catholic Charities Ministry, St. Patrick Center
Merry Duan, DBA, Chief Financial Officer, YMCA Metro St. Louis
Lauren Easterley, Benefits Manager, Great Rivers Greenway
Dr. Lucas Lebovitz, Psychiatrist, Independence Center Health Group
Carmen Fronczak, President, FV Ventures/Friendship Village
Wade Hachman, Executive Director, Friendship Village Chesterfield
Marcel Hagens, Program Manager, Regional Response Team
Blake Hamilton, Chief Executive Officer, International Institute of St. Louis
Dr. Vasilis Hristidis, Psychiatrist, Independence Center Health Group
Lisa Kohler, Major and Planned Gifts Officer, Missouri Botanical Gardens
Courtney Noto, Senior Director of Philanthropy, Marygrove and Good Shepherd Children & Family Services
Robyn Peyton, Vice President of Programs, Center for Human Services
Tim Sullivan, President, Bishop DuBourg High School
Pete Tolpa, Family Room Coordinator - Operations, Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis
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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