The Giver’s Ledger April: Access, Advocacy & Community Impact
FIRST PUBLISHED: Volume 2, Issue 4 by NINA NEEDLEMAN | April 25, 2026
The Giver’s Ledger is a monthly newsletter covering educational topics of Philanthropy, Finance, & DEIA.
NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT
HISPANIC LEADERS GROUP
Mission: The Hispanic Leaders Group promotes and supports the advancement of our vibrant Hispanic community through networking, education and advocacy to foster harmony and diversity in the greater St. Louis region.
This 40-year-old coalition of individuals and organizations works to advance civic engagement through voter education, leadership development, and outreach program; build long-lasting partnerships that amplify our community’s cultural and economic contributions, and mobilize thousands to advocate on critical issues affecting the Hispanic community. Two recent highlights: In February, over 200 people traveled to Jefferson City for Hispanic Capital Day; and Voces Unidas, a new Advocacy Training program, is being offered here starting in June.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
GATEWAY CITY ID
This free St. Louis City municipal ID is now available to all St. Louis city residents, regardless of citizenship status. It allows residents to access city-administered services, patronize local businesses, and allows them to participate more fully in the economic and civic life of our city. For more information VISIT HERE.
NATIONAL MAKE A WILL MONTH
August is National Make-A-Will Month and an incredible opportunity for nonprofits to increase their planned gifts. There’s an organization called Free Will that puts out a success guide for a campaign. READ THE SUCCESS GUIDE.
While I’d ignore the pitch to use them for a campaign, some of the sample letters and verbiage are quite good.
TAKE ACTION - REGIONAL ARTS COMMISSION
MYTH AND REALITY OF THE REGIONAL ARTS COMMISSION AUDIT
As a fan and supporter of the Arts, I’m distressed by the accusations and misinformation flying around as a result of the Regional Arts Commission Audit. The way I see it:
* Administrative costs of nonprofits are often misunderstood and misrepresented.
* So the accusation that over 15% admin expenses is excessive is incorrect.
**The counter factual here – i.e. what would be lost if RAC funding is removed:
For my full letter to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and what YOU can do, VISIT HERE.
READINGS AND HISTORICAL NOTES OF INTEREST
Readings of Interest
Black Nonprofits Didn’t See Funding Boosts Promised After 2020’s Racial Reckoning - AP News, April 7, 2026
St Louis DEI History of Interest
November 27,1960 – Martin Luther King Jr. brought to STL by Jewish Community Center and speaks at United Hebrew on Skinker (now the Missouri History Society’s Library and Research Archives) on the future of integration.
EVENTS OF INTEREST - RISE & RUN
MAY 14 – Effective Presentation Skills for Candidates and Aspiring Leaders
Rise & Run: Lunch and Learn 11:00am-1:00pm at the St. Louis County Library - Clark Family Branch, 1640 S. Lindbergh, 63131
Lee Anne Mathews, Speaking Coach and Facilitator at Present Yourself, COCAbiz, and TEDx St. Louis will be presenting
Topics will include:
Elevator pitch and canvassing
Donor conversations and meetings
Reading and adjusting to your audience
Public speaking with confidence
Nina Needleman is a Retired Financial Planner. She spent the first three-decades of her career in the financial services industry. Now she uses her business skills to help nonprofit organizations with Capacity Building and more importantly--as an educator, teaching people about personal finance and philanthropy.