I recently attended a service event with my son, organized by a group I’m affiliated with. The organization we were volunteering with was new to me, and I really enjoyed hearing about the work they’re doing and the impact they’re having on kids in our community. At the beginning of the day, one of its leaders shared the organization’s story - its mission and why the work matters. At one point, she shared a familiar point of pride: because the organization is entirely volunteer-run, every dollar donated goes directly to the mission.
And I understand why that message resonates. Who wouldn’t want every donated dollar to go directly to the cause they care about? But that message gives me pause, because embedded in it is an assumption that money spent paying people is money that isn’t going to the mission.
For much of the nonprofit sector, that simply isn’t true. The social worker is the mission. The teacher is the mission. The person running the food distribution program is the mission. And while it’s less immediately visible, the fundraiser who secures the resources, the finance professional who keeps the organization financially sound, and the leader building the organization are what allow the mission to happen.
The problem gets bigger when philanthropy reinforces this distinction. Funders understandably want their dollars to make a difference, but when “100% goes to programs” becomes the gold standard, nonprofits receive a pretty clear message about what donors consider worthy of their funding dollars, and salaries are often not on that list.
There’s also an economic dimension that rarely gets discussed. Nonprofit work is, well, work. The sector employs a substantial number of people in the St. Louis region. These are careers and livelihoods, and we need talented people to choose them and stick around. A thriving nonprofit sector can’t exist without a thriving nonprofit workforce.
There is absolutely something worth celebrating about volunteers who give their time and talent to a cause they believe in. Nonprofits can’t function without them. But perhaps “nobody gets paid” isn’t the flex we think it is. Maybe a better question is not whether a donation pays for programs or people, but whether it pays for what the organization needs to fulfill its mission. Because paying the people who make the work possible isn’t taking money away from the mission; it’s investing in it.
Sarah Plumb, MA, is a consultant at The Rome Group, specializing in grant writing and communications.
Nonprofit AI Use Outpaces Planning and Governance, Survey Finds
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the social sector, but many nonprofit organizations are still determining how it can best advance their mission. Survey research released today by The Bridgespan Group and NTEN finds that 70 percent of nonprofit leaders and staff believe their organizations are missing meaningful opportunities to use AI, while only 8 percent report having a one- to two-year AI implementation roadmap.
Bill Clinton Calls on Leaders to Fill Gaps Left by 'Retreating Governments'
Former President Bill Clinton opened this year's Clinton Global Initiative conference, calling on attendees to promise to "step into the void created by retreating governments" following cuts by the United States and other nations to foreign assistance.
IRS Rule Threatens Tax-Exempt Status for Private Schools With DEI Policies
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Treasury Department recently proposed a new rule that would end federal tax-exempt status for private colleges and private educational institutions that use diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
The Regional Arts Commission (RAC) recently announced its 2027-2030 grants and funding opportunities, which are restructured into two programs: Artist Investment Grants (up to $25,000 for mid-career/established artists) and Artist and Artist Collective Project Grants (up to $5,000–$10,000 for project-based work). While RAC didn't launch a new grant cycle in fiscal year 2026, it continues using the year to fund roughly the next 135 highest-scoring applicants from the 2025 cycle while preparing the new program structure for 2027–2030.
All timelines and deadlines will be published on the RAC website in Fall 2026
Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation's Big Bet for Pets
Across the country, at least 50 million beloved pets live with families who don't have access to affordable veterinary care. These pets and their families fall into what's known as the "access to veterinary care gap," where the cost of care and other barriers keep millions of pets from getting the medical care they need throughout their lives.
The Duffield Foundation is making a historic $250 million investment to build a stronger, more accessible system of veterinary care by championing and investing in nonprofit veterinary services, increasing support for rural communities, and fueling innovative research and programs that break down barriers to access.
United Way Greater St. Louis 2027 Targeted Funding Cycle
United Way of Greater St. Louis (United Way) Targeted Funding Cycle's purpose is to provide flexible funding to support nonprofits that are best positioned to address identified targeted needs by implementing programs that use an emergent or innovative approach to an existing community challenge requiring additional investment of time, capacity, and resources across United Way's 16 counties served.
Targeted Fund awards are considered one-time grants (non-renewable) with a one-year implementation timeframe for United Way investment for programming that aligns with the focus area for the cycle. Proposed programs should have existing sources of funding where United Way's investment is leveraged to ensure sustainability beyond the Targeted Fund's one-year grant time frame.
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.
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.
WashU Center for Social Development: Homeownership as Intervention: A Path to Financial Security
Join the Center for Social Development for a special conversation on strategies to secure and sustain affordable homeownership on a path to financial security. Drawing on new evidence from the first national evaluation of Habitat for Humanity's affordable homeownership model, this event will explore what works, why traditional approaches fall short, and how relationship-based support after closing helps families build lasting stability. Hear from experts in housing policy, research, and practice as they discuss strategies for expanding affordable homeownership and its role in the national housing landscape.
St. Louis County & Municipal Police Academy and Grant Writing USA will present a two-day grant writing workshop in Wellston, MO, October 26-27, 2026. This training is for grant seekers from all disciplines. Attend this class to learn how to write winning government grant proposals and find available grant funding.
Beginning and experienced grant writers from city, county, and state agencies, K-12, colleges & universities, and nonprofits are encouraged to attend.
October 26-27
Hosted by St. Louis County & Municipal Police Academy
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.
Beyond Headcount: 10 Questions for Q4 Talent Planning and Next-Year Budgeting
A budgeted headcount plan is not the same thing as a talent plan. As HR and business leaders plan for the year ahead, use these questions to identify where a talent gap could put the business plan at risk - before budgets, organization plans, and hiring decisions are final.
We’re always on the lookout for resources that can make nonprofit work a little easier (or at least a little more manageable). Here are a few tech tools and resources we think are worth knowing about.
Adobe Express
Adobe Express helps nonprofit teams create professional social posts, flyers, videos, presentations, and fundraising materials - quickly and easily, no design experience required. And thanks to Adobe Firefly-powered AI features like image generation and text effects, you can go from idea to polished content in minutes. Best part? It's free for eligible nonprofits.
Join TechSoup Core at no cost and get instant access to discounted software, hardware, and expert support. Need More? Upgrade to TechSoup Plus for hands-on expertise, dedicated support, and even deeper savings from the world's leading nonprofit technology resource. Through TechSoup, you can access 100+ leading software and hardware partners offering solutions for email marketing, website development, volunteer management, grant finding, budget management, AI implementation, and cybersecurity. Click here to learn more.
Google for Nonprofits
With Google for Nonprofits, eligible organizations can access a suite of no-cost and discounted tools, helping you save time, tell your story, and explore what's possible. With a suite of products across Google Workspace, Google Ads, YouTube, and Google Maps Platform, Google for Nonprofits helps organizations work more efficiently and connect with communities, donors, and volunteers.
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.
Russ Austin, Chief Development Officer, Central Institute for the Deaf
Cara Jones, Ph.D.,Director of Data, Systems, & Strategy, The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis
Joslyn Stone, Associate Director of Philanthropy, Shriners Children's St. Louis
Kristen Wagner, Ph.D., MSW, Executive Director, Upward Momentum
Kelly Young, Grants Manager, St. Louis Science Center
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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