Deaconess supports policy development, advocacy, and organizing efforts for the well-being of children and families in the metropolitan region, including Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois. The foundation seeks to address significant civic infrastructure, resource, and power gaps inhibiting child and family health through collaborative initiatives.
The Seeding the Future Grants program supports efforts related to the advancement of coordinated local or state public policy advocacy and organizing campaigns that drive meaningful, systemic change. This includes voter engagement, education, and mobilization; expansion of organizing capacity to adapt to legislative and electoral changes; development of research, analysis, and convenings that generate innovative approaches to policy challenges; as well as the incubation of initiatives poised to advance policy change, including ballot initiatives. General operating awards are set at $20,000 annually for each awarded organization, with the grants being awarded for one year and non-renewable.