In 2024, The Philanthropy Lab national organization granted $62,500 to nonprofits in the St. Louis region through their Ambassador Board. These organizations were championed not only by WashU students, but even a student from Stanford University.
Offered in partnership with the Gephardt Institute, Philanthropy Lab is a sociology course designed to give students a theoretical and practical understanding of philanthropy. The course seeks to spark and expand students’ interest and participation in philanthropy by delving into its sociological and historical roots and its role in addressing social issues.
The course is guided and funded by The Philanthropy Lab national organization, which also supports similar courses at universities across the country. Four times a year, the national organization’s Ambassador Board meets and advises the foundation on how to disburse grants.
In January, Kate Kirchdorfer ‘26 attended this meeting and nominated EarthDance, an organic farm school situated in Ferguson, to receive a $25,000 grant.
“Their impact is measurable, scalable, and deeply rooted in long-term change,” said Kirchdorfer. “Their financial sustainability, combined with their clear vision and strong track record of execution, made them an obvious choice for funding.
“In a time when food insecurity, environmental sustainability, and economic uncertainty are pressing concerns, EarthDance is providing long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes.”
“The grant funds will contribute to EarthDance’s overall mission to advance food justice, by training organic farmers and gardeners of all ages, providing connection to healthy food and the land and cultivating a vibrant community,” said Tiffany Brewer, Interim Co-Executive Director at EarthDance.
As an organic farm school, EarthDance believes that growing organic food is a necessary response to protecting our communities and the earth. They strive to inspire regenerative changes in the food system, working to ensure not only that fresh, organic produce is available to community members, but that these members have the skills and knowledge to produce it themselves.
“Last year, EarthDance was able to grow more than $100,000 worth of food which was the most in a single season in its 16-year history,” said Brewer. “This led to more produce available to food insecure residents at a pay-what-you-can rate at EarthDance farm stand and at the local farmers’ market. We hope to maintain this steady growth, increase production of crops ultimately making more food available to the local community through the farmers market, Pay What You Can Farm Stand and through donations.”
“One thing that stands out to me about EarthDance is how deeply embedded the organization is within the community,” said Kirchdorfer. “Many of their staff members live in Ferguson, and as a result, they are uniquely positioned to understand local challenges and offer solutions that are responsive and sustainable.”
“I can’t wait to see how this grant helps EarthDance continue to grow and thrive.”
Also at a 2024 Ambassador Board meeting, a student from Stanford championed Beyond Housing, another local St. Louis nonprofit, which received a $12,500 grant.
Beyond Housing is a nationally recognized, comprehensive community development organization dedicated to transforming the St. Louis region’s under-resourced communities to create a stronger, more equitable, and prosperous St. Louis for all.
Since 2010, Beyond Housing has invested more than $86,700,000 into construction projects for housing and economic development. Their work in North St. Louis County is one of the most comprehensive community development efforts in the United States and the largest in the St. Louis region.
They believe that the success of the region depends on investment in under-resourced communities. Their holistic work emphasizes education, health, employment, economic development, municipal government as examples of key impact areas.
In 2024, The Philanthropy Lab national organization was also responsible for allocating a $25,000 grant to Great Rivers Environmental Law Center — Missouri’s only public interest law firm focused on tackling the environmental and public health crises facing people Missouri and Southern Illinois through legal avenues.
The Spring 2024 Philanthropy Lab course granted a total of $68,800 to St. Louis organizations while The Philanthropy Lab National organization’s Ambassadors awarded another $75,000, for a total of $131,300 for the St. Louis region in 2024 — all thanks to the course.
Philanthropy Lab is supported by the Philanthropy Lab Foundation and other generous donations to the Gephardt Institute. All gifts to Philanthropy Lab are granted to St. Louis non-profit organizations by students in the course. If you would like to make a gift to Philanthropy Lab, please click here or contact Stephanie Kurtzman, Executive Director of the Gephardt Institute, at GephardtAdvancement@wustl.edu.