THE GIVER’S LEDGER JULY: Culture, Community and Capacity-Building
First Published: NINA NEEDLEMAN | Volume I, Issue 5 | July 19, 2025
LOCAL SPOTLIGHT
R&R Marketplace in Dellwood
This long vacant grocery anchored shopping center has been renovated into an impressive economic and community hub. This bright, inviting space includes an entrepreneurship center with co-working space with Forge (a SCORE like model of mentors), and employment/workforce training center on the economic development side. On the consumer/community service side, the Refuge & Restoration Marketplace has a Brightside Childcare Center (modeled after Flance), Dellwood Community Pharmacy, Arch Behavioral Health (counseling and a mobil unit), Cathy’s Kitchen (2nd location), a little community flower garden and more!
What grabbed the heart of our Spirit of St Louis Group getting a tour was the vision and positive philosophy of Co-Founder Beverly Jenkins. While they do provide some food services; they ask people in line – why are you in line? The answer is always employment, they don’t have a job.
R&R’s goal is to get them out of line. Their messaging is “You CAN change your life! Come here and learn how!”
And if you’d like to hear more from Beverly Jenkins, come join SOS on the eve of November 17th at the Delmar Divine. She’s one of our speakers for our Neighborhood Revitalization event.
For more info: R&R Marketplace LinkedIn
PHILANTHROPY
Bonding, Bridging & the Reparative Role of Philanthropy
by Madonna Vicky Ainembabazi
HIGHLIGHTS
Four actions funders can take to move from short-term fixes to long-term change:
Invest in infrastructure at the ecosystem level
Fund the broader enabling environment
Build the capacity of your grantees
Back the data and research to find out what works
This piece calls on funders and practitioners to invest in the systems and capacities that allow generosity to thrive. (NN note -we can do this locally too!)
(Link to full article here)
FINANCIAL TIP OF THE MONTH
What is a Donor Advised Fund and How Does It Work?
Definition: A DAF is a philanthropic vehicle that allows donors to make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax benefit from the IRS and then recommend grants to qualified charities over time.
How it works:
A donor transfers cash or appreciated investments (stocks/bonds/mutual funds) to an IRS approved donor advised fund portfolio.
IRS approved DAFs are offered by the SL Community Foundation Youthbridge Foundation, Jewish Federation, United Way, Charles Schwab, Fidelity, Vanguard.
Your accountant or CPA can let the donor know how much can be moved into a DAF in a given year.
Transferred assets receive an immediate tax benefit.
Funds are then invested by the DAF manager to grow until you designate a charity beneficiary (make a grant) for part or all of the account value.
Donor gives when it is convenient and meets her/his goals
Minimum to open varies, but several are available in the $10,000 or $25,000 levels.
CULTURAL SPOTLIGHT
HONORING SPIRITS: The Hungry Ghost Festival
This is a traditional Chinese and East Asian festival that honors wandering spirits and departed ancestors. It falls on the 15th day of the Lunar month, which is August 9th this year.
It blends Buddhist, Taoist and folk traditions. Key customs and rituals include: offering food and incense, burning joss paper, floating lanterns, Chinese opera or puppet shows, avoidance of risky behavior. Celebrated in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand.
UPCOMING EVENTS - INTERNATIONAL | CULTURAL | DEIA
July 19 & August 16 – African American History & Genealogy Society Workshop, Join the St. Louis African American History and Genealogy Society (STLAAHGS) each month for a deep dive into researching your family’s history—Missouri History Museum 1:00-3:00pm
July 22 – Disability Pride Month event – Fostering Inclusion Missouri History Museum, 11am
August 2 – Tuskegee Airmen : American Freedom Flier Tour, Soldier’s Memorial, 2:00 pm
August 6 & August 9 – Hiroshima & Nagasaki Memorial, Missouri History Museum
August 8-9 – St. Louis Racial Equity Summit UMSL/Touhill – keynotes, workshops on solidarity, educator retention, community empowerment –
August 9 — The Hungry Ghost Festival
August 15 – Indian Independence Day - Celebrated in many Indian American communities with parades and cultural programs.
August 23rd - 24th: The International Institute - Festival of Nations – Tower Grove Park
August 30-31 – Japanese Festival - Missouri Botanical Garden
September 27-28 – Evolution Festival - Partial Tornado benefit through United Way at Forest Park. Get Tickets HERE