Dear Members and Friends,
As I begin my tenure as the next SOS president, I’m reminded of those outstanding women who have held this position since our founding 20 years ago. It humbles me that I have been selected to continue their legacy. And just like those past leaders, I am committed to upholding our mission of inspiring women to engage in informed, collective grantmaking. Together, we will build on the foundation they have established, working to make a meaningful difference in our communities through our shared efforts.
Looking at what’s ahead for SOS, we’ll host our anniversary celebration in March, continue the work of our strategic plan, host educational and social events, and award grants through our application review process. It’s true that there are great things happening in St. Louis, but there is also so much need, which the May 2025 tornado only exacerbated. Our role in addressing these needs happens through the grants we award to small nonprofits. I encourage you to become a part of this process. It’s why we exist and, I speak from experience, it’s personally rewarding. Plus, you’ll get to know other members along the way that maybe you haven’t yet met! I hope you’ll remain involved by renewing your membership, or if you’re not yet a member, become one and support our work that’s important to small nonprofits.
Please continue reading for information about all that SOS has been involved in recently and which SOS members joined our board this month. Our 2026 Board is a group of outstanding and inspiring women, and you can learn more about them on our website.
On behalf of the Spirit of St. Louis Women’s Fund Board of Directors, we wish you and those close to you a very Happy New Year!
Pat Crowe,
SOS President
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Save the Date! SOS Upcoming Events Learn something new about nonprofits, get together for socializing or volunteer for our grantees. Some events have limited spaces so please register early. To view all upcoming SOS events and to register, visit the SOS website. |
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Sisters of the Heart Social Members and guests are invited to a Valentine’s Day-themed social on February 10 at the home of Vicki Sheehan, an SOS founding member. Look for registration details soon in the February events email and on the SOS events webpage.
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SOS Annual Meeting and 20th Anniversary Celebration
Mark your calendar now for the March 25th SOS annual meeting, where we’ll celebrate our 20th anniversary, kick off this year’s grant cycle, and hear updates on other activities from SOS Board members. The event will be held at the St. Louis Community Foundation, #2 Oak Knoll Park, St. Louis. More details and registration information will be sent by email in February.
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Lift for Life Gym Honors SOS with
Hero Award
SOS was the proud recipient of the 2025 Lift for Life Gym annual Hero Award, which was presented at the organization’s Raising the Bar Gala on October 18. In granting the award, Lift for Life Gym stated: “The Spirit of St. Louis Women’s Fund was selected for this honor not only in recognition of the long-standing support of Lift for Life Gym’s mission but also with appreciation for the entire collective of women who come together to make a greater impact through support of smaller nonprofits, like Lift for Life Gym, across the St. Louis region. With special thanks to the Spirit of St. Louis Women’s Fund, Lift for Life Gym’s commitment to empowering St. Louis inner-city youth to overcome socio-economic challenges remains stronger than ever.”
Lift for Life Gym received a three-year $100,000 grant from SOS, with one-third given in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Thanks, Lift for Life Gym, for honoring SOS and for your contributions to our community’s youth!
Pictured in the photo below are Lift for Life Gym's Suzy Oge and SOS past president Ally Kell.
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Why We Give: Impact in Action Video Series Hear from SOS’s 2024-2025 grantees in a video series that began last fall on our social media platforms. The “Voices of Impact” video interviews were shot during the Grantee Showcase in September and the series can be accessed from the SOS website. Each grantee highlights the work of their organization and how SOS’s funds and member support have contributed to their ability to serve. |
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Meet the 2026 SOS BoardThe new Board of Directors is in place to lead SOS through a new year! Pat Crowe steps into the role of SOS President for a two-year term. New members to the Board include Ellen Franzel, Vice Treasurer; Amy Inman, Nominating Chair; Nancy Nix-Rice Litz, Education Chair; Roberta Shapiro, Impact Vice Chair; and Gwen Wesley, Philanos Liaison.
Departing the Board at the end of 2025 were Ally Kell, President; Berta James, At-Large (Governance); Ellen Schapiro, At-Large (Book Club); Nina Needleman, Education Chair; Vicki Sheehan, Nominating Chair, and Rose Carnes-Bruce, Education Vice Chair.
Thanks to all SOS Board members – past and present – for their commitment of time and talent in leading our organization this past year. Bios for our new Board members can be found on the SOS website. |
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Philanos Events Feature SOS Leaders
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SOS’s membership in Philanos, a national organization of women’s giving groups, offers members a variety of learning opportunities, both online and in person. SOS is excited to have several of our leaders serve as Philanos presenters. In November, Emily Rapp, chair of the SOS Membership Committee, participated in an online Philanos educational webinar on “Creative Approaches to Member Engagement and Retention.” The webinar is now available to Philanos members via their affiliate website (registration may be required).
Next month, during Philanos’ “Power UP!” conference in Austin, Texas, two SOS leaders will participate in roundtable educational discussions. Ally Kell, past president, will be featured in a session on strategic planning, and Barb Meyer, chair, Marketing & Communications, will be featured in a program on communications tips and tactics.
Our thanks and congratulations to these SOS leaders for sharing their experiences and expertise. |
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Mapping Our SOS GranteesFor a deeper and more visual look at SOS grantees over the years, check out the interactive Grantee Impact Map on our website. This tool provides a snapshot of all 106 organizations that have received an SOS grant since our first grant year in 2007, categorized both by year and by area of focus (health, education, environment, arts and culture, immigrant and refugee, children and teen services, shelter and homelessness, trauma support, and basic needs). The map, which was recently updated to include our 2025 grantees, was created through the generous support of The Clark-Fox Family Foundation, with special thanks to Aimee Cicotte. |
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Education Event Highlights Neighborhood RevitalizationWhat does it take to support a neighborhood? Three dynamic women leaders shared their expertise on neighborhood revitalization at an SOS education event hosted November 17 at Delmar DivINe. Lisa Madkins of Midwest BankCentre, Beverly Jenkins of Refuge and Restoration, and Maxine Clark of Build-A-Bear, the Clark-Fox Family Foundation and Delmar DivINe offered wisdom and inspiration about creating places where people are nurtured, supported and empowered. |
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Be the First to Know About SOS Volunteer ActivitiesWould you like to be on the list of SOS members to be notified of volunteer activities to support our grantees? Please contact Marianne Baer at Marebaer20@gmail.com to join the email list or with any questions.
Marianne will email you with scheduled and pop-up opportunities as we plan volunteer activities throughout the year. Sign up anytime! |
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In The News
The St. Louis Community Foundation is SOS's partner for administrative, financial, and technical support. Their role in the St. Louis region is to promote and inspire charitable giving. In a recent article in St. Louis Magazine, president and CEO Dr. Kelvin Adams noted four distinct changes in the funding community in 2025 causing a reassessment of how they are supporting donors and our region's nonprofits. Read the article to learn Dr. Adams' perspectives. |
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Were You There?
October 19 – SOS volunteers assisted at a showcase event hosted by 2024-2025 grantee Black Girls Do STEM, which allowed BGDS participants to discuss what they have learned and highlight their achievements as future changemakers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. |
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October 22 – Table Talk coffee at Telva in Webster Groves. |
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October 29 – Pop Up social at the home of SOS member Joan Gallagher. In addition to enjoying chili and conversation, attendees heard from staff members of Rustic Roots Sanctuary, a 2024-2025 grantee. |
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November 21 – Volunteers helped clean toys in the playroom at Room at the Inn. |
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December 5 – Members and guests gathered once again for our annual holiday coffee at the home of SOS co-founder Susan Block, enjoying conversation, sweet treats, and an update from Laughing Bear Bakery, a 2024-2025 grantee. |
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Show Your SOS Spirit in Your Emails and Online! |
Want to add your SOS membership to your email signature – or as part of your LinkedIn profile? Just follow these instructions, which are available on the SOS website. And don’t forget to follow SOS on our social media sites. Your help in sharing, liking and commenting on our posts helps extend our online reach!
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Welcome, New Members
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The following individuals have joined or rejoined SOS in recent months.
Sue Hendin
Denise Hibbard
Kisha Lee
Jean Noll
Sarah Stauffer
Robbye Toft
Joan VonDras
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Interested in Becoming a Member?
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New members are welcome to join SOS at any time. Joining is as simple as completing a short membership form on our website.
SOS is a “volunteer democracy” – you can participate a little or a lot, depending on your schedule and interests. Members have opportunities to review grants, serve on committees, attend educational and social events, and support our grantee organizations through hands-on volunteering. Check our website for upcoming events.
Membership pledge payment options are flexible: Annual, monthly, ACH, Donor Advised Fund, and more. Pledges are tax deductible to the extent allowable. And don’t forget to find out if your employer might match your membership pledge!
Interested, but want to connect with someone first? Feel free to reach out to Membership Chair Emily Rapp, emilybrapp@gmail.com, or any of our SOS Board of Director members. |
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Turning Good into Greater Good
To learn more about the Spirit of St. Louis Women's fund, visit our website.
If you no longer wish to receive these emails you can unsubscribe at any time. |
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