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The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis
2022 Annual Report
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The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis
2022 Annual Report

The last three years have posed challenges in every area of life, derailing plans and calling into question routines, systems, and institutions that made life predictable and stable for many. Many is not all, however, and more have been awakened to the realities of those who were never served by those systems. The route to and through college has always been fraught for students and families without means, experience navigating the process, or both. But the rewards of degree attainment have remained steady: the more education an individual achieves, the more likely it is that they will be civically engaged, healthy, and able to build family-sustaining careers.

Much has changed since The Scholarship Foundation made its first loan of $15 to a young immigrant woman who sought to attend business school. Awards are now paired with advising and advocacy to promote greater equity and student success. The Foundation makes more grants than loans in response to changing economic conditions and increased community investment in scholarship programs. As we continue to process and experience how the world has transformed, the path ahead remains clear.

Leadership

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In 2021, Lauren Nash Ming was elected as President of the Board of Directors. Her thoughtful leadership has allowed The Scholarship Foundation to flourish throughout a year of reconnection and growth.

Advocacy Committee

Karen O. Drake, Vice-President

Gerald Axelbaum

Jacqueline Meaders Booth,
Secretary to the Board

Joel Iskiwitch

Heidi Veron

Board Development Committee

Tom Ruwitch, Chair

Cory Bricker

Clayton M. Evans,
Member-at-Large

Jan Hendrikson

April Mickens Jolly

Lynne Kipnis

Development Committee

Debra B. Kennard, Vice-President

Martha Aronson

Buff Buffkin

Estie Pruett

Lauren Sagel

Barbara Touchette

Beth-Anne Yakubu

Planning and Finance Committee

Jill Nowak, Treasurer

Muhammad Q. Islam

Joan Magruder

David A. Meyer

John Milonas

Susan Plassmeyer

Robert Schmalz

Program Committee

Matt Dace, Vice-President 

Azmy Azmy

Bill Eastman

Jennifer A. Haynes

Laura Kipnis

Lainie Neiman

Honorary Life Directors

Buff Buffkin

Betsy Douglass

Joyce Follman

Linda Goldstein

Joel Iskiwitch

Nancy Kalishman

Lynne Kipnis

Donna Moog

Julia Muller

Estie Pruett

Audrey Shanfeld

Barbara Touchette

Awards

In 2022, The Scholarship Foundation awarded $5.06 million to 491 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 $9,159 and the average loan award was $7,597. Beginning with the graduating class of 2021, The Scholarship Foundation implemented a new repayment policy for its interest-free loans which replaced the one-size-fits-all repayment policy with individualized repayment plans based on the borrower’s anticipated earnings and total balance owed. The new policy increases economic equity for borrowers.
Read how awards made it possible for Jennifer to build a life she loves.
Learn More about Awards
View the Key Performance Indicators
View the Program Dashboard
View the Equity Dashboard

Awards

In 2022, The Scholarship Foundation awarded $5.06 million to 491 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 $9,159 and the average loan award was $7,597. Beginning with the graduating class of 2021, The Scholarship Foundation implemented a new repayment policy for its interest-free loans which replaced the one-size-fits-all repayment policy with individualized repayment plans based on the borrower’s anticipated earnings and total balance owed. The new policy increases economic equity for borrowers.
Read how awards made it possible for Jennifer to build a life she loves.
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Learn More about Awards
View the Key Performance Indicators
View the Program Dashboard
View the Equity Dashboard

Advocacy

Eight scholars served as paid Scholarship Foundation advocacy fellows at the start of 2022, setting policy priorities and meeting with legislators to advocate for college access. Spring advocacy activities included hosting a board training workshop and, along with The League of Student Advocates (LSA), a Student Convening. Find the convening booklet HERE. In October 2022, The Scholarship Foundation welcomed its tenth and largest cohort of fifteen to comprise the 2022-23 Policy Fellowship Program.
Read how life experience informs one student's work as an advocacy fellow.
Learn More about Advocacy
Read the Student Policy Fellows Guide

Advocacy

Eight scholars served as paid Scholarship Foundation advocacy fellows at the start of 2022, setting policy priorities and meeting with legislators to advocate for college access.

Spring advocacy activities included hosting a board training workshop and, along with The League of Student Advocates (LSA), a Student Convening. Find the convening booklet HERE. 

Partnered with Action St. Louis, two fellows participated in a Voter Engagement Fellowship and worked towards increasing voter turnout in the Fall 2022 elections. 

In October 2022, The Scholarship Foundation welcomed its tenth and largest cohort of fifteen to comprise the 22-23 Policy Fellowship Program.

Read how a student's life experience informs his work as an advocacy fellow.
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Learn More about Advocacy
Read the Student Policy Fellows Guide

Advising

From high school to college graduation and beyond, advisors serve as trusted community resources, building relationships with students that have lasting effects well beyond the college years. In addition to one-on-one meetings with students, advisors also provide professional development opportunities for peers and colleagues at schools and other college-access organizations. In 2022, Scholarship Foundation advisors facilitated 8 professional development offerings across the St. Louis area and worked with over 3,436 individuals through virtual meetings, workshops, and individual guidance, providing information and resources to support students’ decision-making and long-term goals.
Learn More about Advising
Read the 2022 Advising Report

Advising

From high school to college graduation and beyond, advisors serve as trusted community resources, building relationships with students that have lasting effects well beyond the college years. Advisors also provide professional development opportunities for peers and colleagues at schools and other college-access organizations. In 2022, Scholarship Foundation advisors facilitated 8 professional development offerings across St. Louis and Missouri and worked with over 3,436 individuals through virtual meetings, workshops, and individual guidance, providing information and resources to support students’ decision-making and long-term goals.
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Learn More about Advising
Read the 2022 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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