Seven St. Louis nonprofits receive $126,000 in grants

Funding expands access to affordable housing and economic opportunity across St. Louis.

Great Southern Bank

Check presentation with Catholic Charities Housing.

Imagine working toward a more stable future while worrying about where your family will live next month. Across St. Louis, local nonprofits meet people in moments like these with practical support, from safe housing and rental assistance to education and financial coaching.

Great Southern Bank, in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines), is proud to award $126,000 in Member Impact Fund grants to seven St. Louis nonprofits. The grants support affordable housing and broader community and economic development.

Why it matters

According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, 20.6% of St. Louis city residents live below the poverty line. Affordable housing gives families a foundation, while education, employment support and financial knowledge create paths to long-term stability.

This work also builds on Great Southern Bank's commitment to expanding housing access in St. Louis. The city is where the bank launched its Open Door Home Loan Program, which offers flexible financing for people who may not qualify for traditional home loan products. The program's residential lender, Eric Mitchell, is based in St. Louis.

How the grants will make an impact

Affordable housing

Catholic Charities Housing: $30,000. Funding will provide interim housing, rental and utility assistance for unhoused families and support affordable housing development.
DeSales Community Development: $10,000. Funding will support work to preserve 237 affordable homes and create 113 new homes across south St. Louis city.
Employment Connection: $30,000. The grant will support eviction prevention, rapid rehousing and emergency rental assistance, including for families affected by the May 2025 tornado.
Tabernacle Community Development Corp.: $10,000. Funding will support design, budgeting and permitting to turn vacant north St. Louis properties into affordable housing.
Tower Grove Community Development Corp.: $10,000. The grant will strengthen housing placement systems and landlord training to improve housing quality and reduce vacancy.

Community and economic development

College Bound: $16,000. Funding will provide coaching, food security and mental health support to nearly 500 low-income students from 10th grade through college graduation.

Prosperity Connection: $20,000. The grant will fund financial education and monthly credit wellness events for unemployed participants in Employment Connection's WOW class.

A larger investment across Missouri

The St. Louis grants are part of $400,000 awarded to 23 Missouri nonprofits through the Member Impact Fund. Great Southern Bank contributed $100,000, which FHLB Des Moines matched 3-to-1 with an additional $300,000.

Together, these organizations are meeting immediate needs and creating long-term opportunity. We're proud to invest in the local nonprofits working every day to move St. Louis forward.