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The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis
2025 Annual Report
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The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis
2025 Annual Report

2025 began with rapid changes to the U.S. Department of Education and threats to need-based federal Pell grants. A devastating spring tornado tore through the heart of St. Louis, leaving many lives and neighborhoods in a prolonged state of disruption. And on college campuses across the country, offices designed to support students from diverse backgrounds were intentionally and systematically dismantled.

Any of those events alone could put people and organizations working with students in a reactive position. The Scholarship Foundation’s board of directors chose a different stance. In partnership with staff leadership, they made immediate changes to free up resources for students and began revising the strategic plan to ensure that Foundation scholars’ paths to and through college were not disrupted. And through many efforts, big and small, steady and strong, they continued.

For students who do not come from wealth, it takes more to navigate higher education successfully: more perseverance, more resources, more community care. And as the smiling faces and stories of triumph in this report demonstrate, it is worth it. Your support and belief make it possible. Thank you.

Leadership

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From major education policy changes in D.C. to natural disasters in our own backyard, the Foundation’s board of directors led the organization forward. Under board president Tom Ruwitch’s leadership, the board collaborated to make clear, careful decisions designed to fortify students’ well-being in the near and long term.

Advancement Committee

John Milonas, Vice-President

Azmy Azmy

Cory Bricker

Buff Buffkin

Jennie Jean-Jacques

Lauren Nash Ming

Barbara Touchette

Advocacy Committee

Debra Kennard, Vice-President

Jacquelin Meaders Booth

Samantha Schrage Bunk

Clayton Evans

Katherine Kreusser

Lainie Neiman

Beth-Anne Yakubu

Board Development Committee

Jordan Watson, Chair

Cardelia Collier-Robinson

Jennifer Engeling

Linda Goldstein

Lynne Kipnis

Paula D. Knight

Jill Nowak

Planning and Finance Committee

David A. Meyer, Treasurer

Gerald Axelbaum

Brian Fernandez

Joel Iskiwitch

Joan Magruder

Gwendolyn Goosby Mizell

Heidi Veron

Peter Werner

Program Committee

April Mickens Jolly, Vice-President 

Martha Aronson

Janet Hendrickson

Michael F. Jones II

Laura Kipnis

Matt Newlin

Estie Pruett

Trina Owens Rogers

Honorary Life Directors

Buff Buffkin

Betsy Douglass

Joyce Follman

Linda Goldstein

Joel Iskiwitch

Lynne Kipnis

Julia Muller

Estie Pruett

Audrey Shanfeld

Barbara Touchette

Awards

In 2025, The Scholarship Foundation awarded $6.5 million to 546 students of good character and academic potential from low-income families. These awards came in the form of scholarship grants and interest-free loans. All awards are renewable and last-dollar, meaning the awards close the remaining gap in funding and ensure that students are not forced to withdraw from school short of graduation. The average grant award was $10,342 and the average loan award was $7,129. Now in its fourth year, an updated repayment policy has replaced a one-size-fits-all policy, resulting in increased economic equity for borrowers.
crossing the finish line: critical funding in the final years of college
Learn More about Awards
View the Key Performance Indicators
View the Program Dashboard
View the Equity Dashboard

Awards

In 2025, The Scholarship Foundation awarded $6.5 million to 546 students of good character and academic potential from low-income families. These awards came in the form of scholarship grants and interest-free loans. All awards are renewable and last-dollar, meaning the awards close the remaining gap in funding and ensure that students are not forced to withdraw from school short of graduation. The average grant award was $10,342 and the average loan award was $7,129. Now in its fourth year, an updated repayment policy has replaced a one-size-fits-all policy, resulting in increased economic equity for borrowers.
Crossing the finish line: critical funding in the final years of college
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Learn More about Awards
View the Key Performance Indicators
View the Program Dashboard
View the Equity Dashboard

Advocacy

Eight Foundation scholars joined the policy fellowship in 2025. Throughout the fellowship, students tracked policy developments that directly affected higher education, closely monitoring efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, ongoing changes to the U.S. Department of Education, and a looming shortfall in the federal Pell Grant program. Advocacy at the Foundation is student-led and student-driven. To deepen this commitment, the Foundation board of directors approved in 2025 the formation of the inaugural Student Policy Advisory Council, which will review and advise Foundation leadership on internal policies and procedures.
policy advisories, calls to action, and our commitment forward
Learn More about Advocacy

Advocacy

Eight Foundation scholars joined the policy fellowship in 2025. Throughout the fellowship, students tracked policy developments that directly affected higher education, closely monitoring efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, ongoing changes to the U.S. Department of Education, and a looming shortfall in the federal Pell Grant program. Advocacy at the Foundation is student-led and student-driven. To deepen this commitment, the Foundation board of directors approved in 2025 the formation of the inaugural Student Policy Advisory Council, which will review and advise Foundation leadership on internal policies and procedures.
Policy advisories, calls to action, and our commitment forward
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Learn More about Advocacy

Advising

In 2025, The Scholarship Foundation's five full-time student advisors conducted 190 individual events or workshops, providing students, families, counselors, and community partners with crucial information for low-income students navigating the path to or through college. In one-on-one student meetings, advisors provided steady, compassionate counsel about the various paths available to low-income students to 1,306 individuals. Learn more about all the ways student advising is central to the work of The Scholarship Foundation by following the links below.
Learn More about Advising
Read the 2025 Advising Report

Advising

In 2025, The Scholarship Foundation's five, full-time student advisors conducted 190 individual events or workshops, providing students, families, counselors, and community partners with crucial information for low-income students navigating the path to or through college. In one-on-one student meetings, advisors provided steady, compassionate counsel about the various paths available to low-income students to 1,306 individuals. Learn more about all the ways student advising is central to the work of The Scholarship Foundation by following the links below.
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Learn More about Advising
Read the 2025 Advising Report

Designated Scholar Loans

1981-2021
The Scholarship Foundation is grateful to those who generously contributed to the Designated Scholar Loan program during its 40-year history. These contributions formed the bedrock of the interest-free loan program, supporting many students on their way to graduation and allowing the Foundation to increase its reach. DSL funds continue to be recycled to support new students, and all DSLs will be listed in perpetuity.
For more information, questions, or comments regarding this report, please contact Jenny Weber, Director of Advancement, at jenny@sfstl.org or (314) 932-6927.
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Overview
Financials
Donors
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