SEPTEMBER INSIGHTS

It was so great to see everyone at last month’s Philanthropic Landscape event at COCA! Everywhere we turn these days we’re met with reminders of how we are different and where we disagree. But on one Thursday in August, we were a community, and it felt good!

This newsletter is full of other opportunities to connect with your nonprofit friends during the month of October. If you are attending the Small Business and Nonprofit Conference, be sure to stop by Jason’s session “Strategies for Cultivating Lifelong Donors” on Wednesday (10/8) or come see both of us at “Navigating Uncertainty for Nonprofit Organizations,” on Thursday, 10/9. The Rome Group is also proud to be a sponsor for the Spectrum Conference on Oct. 17, so you can find us there too.

This is not the time to "go it alone." It will take collective effort to fight back against threats to the sector and, being in community is the best way to remember why we do this in the first place. Hope to see you out and about.

- Dayna

Federal Taxes and Charitable Giving

This article explores how changes in federal tax policy, like the standard deduction and estate tax, impact charitable giving. It highlights key trends, such as fewer households itemizing deductions, and how that affects donor behavior. The piece also outlines advocacy efforts to protect and expand charitable giving incentives, making it a valuable read for fundraisers and nonprofit leaders. Click here to read more.

Predictive AI for Nonprofit Fundraising Starts With Clean Data

Predictive AI has huge potential for nonprofit fundraising, but it all starts with clean, well-organized data. This article explains why data hygiene is critical for making AI tools effective and offers practical steps nonprofits can take to prepare their donor data for smarter, more targeted engagement. Click here to read more.

St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund Accepting Applications for 2026-2029 Core Funding Opportunity

The St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund (CSF) has announced that the application for their 2026-2029 Core Funding Opportunity is now open! Their Board of Directors has allocated up to $150 million for this grant. Their Core partners are organizations that address community needs through impact-driven approaches to mental and behavioral health care. They support their partners through a standard unit-rate reimbursement model. This is a three-year grant cycle, aligned with the academic calendar. The deadline to submit an application is 2PM CST on Thursday, October 30, 2025.

Click here to learn more and apply.

FUNDER REGISTRATION: First Fridays (Q4 2025) by Philanthropy Missouri

After a successful pilot, PhilMO's St. Louis Funder Network is establishing the Funder First Friday program. Building on popular single funder efforts, First Fridays are free, confidential opportunities for staff members from community organizations to meet with 2+ funder representatives outside of a formal grantmaking process for a 30-45 minute technical assistance meeting. Click here to learn more and register.

Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University - Full Course Schedule

Check out these courses to increase your understanding of the total fundraising process through the principles and techniques taught by Indiana University. Click here to view the 2025-2026 course directory.

Tax Law Changes: How to Talk to Year-End Donors

Join Philanthropy Today on October 9th, 2pm ET for the forum Tax Law Changes: How to Talk to Year-End Donors to learn from Lynn English of English Hudson, Bob Guittard of Guittard Growth, and Laura MacDonald of Benefactor Group as they discuss how the tax and policy bill signed into law in July could affect giving by both big and small donors. They’ll share smart ways to adapt your year-end messaging to take advantage of current and future rules. Click here to register.

Small Business & Nonprofit Conference

St. Louis County Library is holding its annual Small Business and Nonprofit Conference on October 8 through October 10, 2025. The conference is three days packed with actionable strategies, game-changing insights, and valuable connections. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a small business owner, or a nonprofit leader, the sessions are tailored to help you start, strengthen and grow. October 8th and 9th sessions are at the Clark Family Branch. October 10th sessions are virtual. Details and registration links for the entire conference can be found here.

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.

First Day Podcast from the Fundraising School

In this episode of The First Day, Muhsin Hassan discusses the power of nonprofit collaboration, drawing on his experience with the Community Collaboration Initiative, which united 21 Muslim-led nonprofits to co-create equitable, community-driven solutions. Rather than being donor-led, the initiative prioritized trust-building, shared goals, and equitable partnerships, resulting in innovative models like “one-stop shop” services for new Americans. The conversation highlights the value of intentional design, logistical support, and cross-sector dialogue in making collaborations successful. It’s a compelling listen for any nonprofit leader looking to expand impact through meaningful partnerships. Click here to listen.

The AI Breakthrough That Rewrites Every Rule of Fundraising

In this episode of Hey Nonprofits, host Trevor Nelson is joined by fundraising expert and AI pioneer Nathan Chappell to discuss the most profound technology shift in human history. They explore why old methods like focusing on cost per dollar raised are failing and how the shrinking donor pool is forcing a new approach. Nathan explains how any nonprofit can use predictive and generative AI to build a true community, create personalization at scale, and foster generosity. This conversation reveals the simple steps to embrace innovation and curiosity, ensuring your organization thrives in this new era. Click here to listen.

Nonprofit Job Openings

See the latest opportunities to serve your community.

OPEN JOBS

The People Section

Congratulations to the following individuals who are starting new roles in the St. Louis nonprofit community.

Kourtney Graham Baldauf, Vice President, Business Development, Missouri Partnership

Brooke Bennett, Director of Early Education, Nine PBS

Pam Dempski, Director of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army, Midland Division

Rhiannon Dixon, Director Grant Initiatives, ARCHS

Elizabeth Dodd, Campaign Manager, Covenant Theological Seminary

Amanda Harris, Director of Transformational Giving, Carol House Quick Fix Pet Clinic

Thomas Herman, Foster Care Director, Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Missouri

Emily Karcher, Deputy Director of Development, Individual Giving, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis

Diana Sheridan, Executive Director, Ozark Land Trust

Erin Wright, Manager, Community Engagement & Alumni Experience, FOCUS St. Louis

Did you get find your job on the career board?

As part of The Rome Group’s 30^th year celebration, we are collecting testimonials from friends and former clients to use on social media and our website. If you would like to share anything about the impact of The Rome Group on your career in the nonprofit sector, or something you learned from a TRG consultant, please click here.

We’d love to hear from you. Thank you so much.

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.

Forward this email to your network and sign-up below!

Sign up for the Insights Newsletter