Eighteen local Jewish organizations have been granted almost $62,000 in this year’s round of Anything GrantsTM funding.
This year, 28 applications were received, representing nearly $110,000 in funding requests. The projects being funded include upgrades to technology tools, a sukkah, and a variety of infrastructure projects.
Ellen Alper, CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis, said the grant her group received allowed them to purchase technology to use for meetings to go hybrid with ease and simplicity.
“Virtual participants are able to participate as if they are in the room,” Alper said. “We can’t thank the Staenberg Foundation enough for this matching grant to upgrade our technology to improve our ability to meet our mission of helping women, children and families in our community. This was so transformative for us that we already secured the match to meet the grant.”
Anything Grants are awarded by the Staenberg Family Foundation, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. Each grant will be equal to 50 percent of the project budget; organizations are responsible for raising the remaining 50 percent from other sources.
With the matching grants the recipients raise, these grants will bring $123,954 new dollars into our St. Louis Jewish community.
2021 Anything Grant recipients:
- Agudas Israel of St. Louis – New Tables for Seating Expansion
- Bais Abraham Congregation – Infrastructure Project: Upgrades to Create a Welcoming Atmosphere
- Barbara Mendelson Tomchei Shabbos Fund – Sanitary Floor Improvement
- BBYO – Resuming In-Person Programming
- Central Reform Congregation – Online Community Infrastructure
- Chabad of the Central West End – CRM System Training for Staff
- Chesed Shel Emeth Society – Front Entrance Repair
- Chevra Kadisha – Capital Improvements to Enhance and Secure the Chevra Kadisha Cemetery
- Congregation B’nai Amoona – Serving the Community with Collaboration (Judaica Shop)
- Crown Center for Senior Living – Patio Programs
- Jewish Family Services of St. Louis – Technology Upgrade/Preparedness
- The Jewish Mindfulness Center of St. Louis/Congregation Shaare Emeth – Maintaining Mindfulness in a Post-Covid World
- Kol Rinah – Learning Center Bookshelves
- National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis – Video Conferencing Technology/Ability
- Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School – New Sukkah
- Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Community – Technology for Multi-Access Programming
- Traditional Congregation of Creve Coeur – Technology Upgrade
- Young Israel of St. Louis – Kitchen Appliance Upgrade
A lay advisory committee reviewed all applications and made recommendations to the Staenberg Family Foundation Board of Directors, who made the final decisions. Grant recipients must complete their projects by May 5, 2022, in order to receive funds.
The Staenberg Family Foundation is proud to be able to support so many local community institutions through this effort.
Please contact Marla Guggenheimer at MGuggenheimer@JFedSTL.org or (314) 442-3764 with any questions about Anything Grants.
The Staenberg Family Foundation was founded in 2005 by Michael and Carol Staenberg as a supporting foundation of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. As such, it supports projects and programs that meet the mission of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, which is to mobilize resources needed to preserve and enhance Jewish life in St. Louis, in Israel and around the world.
The Staenbergs chose to establish the Foundation in this manner because they believe that the Jewish Federation of St. Louis’ mission is consistent with their family values as Jews. Tzedakah (righteousness) and Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) are values that have guided the Jewish people and guide the Staenberg family.
They also wanted to set an example of giving for the community and their immediate family. “Our children are the next generation and it’s really important that we teach them the importance of giving to others. Tzedakah is basic to Judaism,” stated Carol Staenberg. The Staenbergs hope that their actions will inspire others to give back to the community.