OVERVIEW: The Deer Creek Foundation’s primary purpose is to support organizations that promote government accountability, democratic institutions, civil rights and civil liberties in the United States. It also supports local public media in St. Louis.
IP TAKE: This low-profile, progressive funder does not have a website, but it does accept letters of inquiry. The Deer Creek Foundation tends to award grants for program or project support at nonprofits engaged in advocacy, litigation and public education on issues of importance to the foundation. Recent funding has addressed the U.S. justice system, civil rights, and litigation related to the preservation of endangered lands and ecosystems. While it’s not the most accessible funder in its spaces of giving, it considers succinct proposals of up to three pages that focus on its areas of grantmaking. Don’t hesitate to pitch them if your work aligns closely.
PROFILE: The Deer Creek Foundation was established in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1964. The foundation does not have a website, which limits information on its grantmaking habits, but tax filings show that it primarily supports efforts to promote democracy and civic engagement across the United States. To a lesser extent, the foundation supports environmental conservation and public media. Grantmaking is national in scope, with funding going to organizations working at national and regional levels in the areas of advocacy, litigation and public education on issues of importance to the foundation.
Grants for Civic Engagement and Democracy
The Deer Creek Foundation’s grantmaking for democracy and civic engagement has recently addressed progressive issues related to the justice system, as well as the rights of citizens related to voting, privacy, religion and more. Support goes to organizations working at the national, state and regional levels.
- The Deer Creek Foundation has recently given to several organizations that work to protect against abuses and misuse of the justice system. Grantees include Arch City Defenders of St. Louis, the Public Justice Foundation, Lone Star Legal Aid of Texas and the Free and Fair Litigation Group. Arch City Defenders received $1 million.
- Grants related to civil rights include American’s United for the Separation of Church and State, the Verified Voting Foundation and the Electronic Privacy Information Center.
Grants for Environmental Conservation
The foundation has recently increased its support for organizations engaged in environmental advocacy and litigation for the preservation and conservation of endangered lands and ecosystems.
- On the national level, the foundation has supported EarthJustice, WildEarth Guardians, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Committee to Bridge the Gap, a policy outfit that addresses nuclear safety and waste disposal.
- Grantees working at the local or regional level tend to focus on environmental issues in Oregon. Grantees include the Northwest Environmental Defense Center, Cascadia Wildlands and the Crag Law Center, which also aims to protect the Cascadia region.
Grants for Journalism and Media
Deer Creek’s has supported public media in the St. Louis area. Note that this funding has fallen off recently.
- Past grantees include St. Louis Regional Public Media Inc. and public radio KWMU.
Important Grant Details:
Deer Creek grants range from 2,000 to $350,000, with an average grant amount of about $100,000. In recent years, the foundation has made between $2 and $3 million in grants while holding about $53 million in assets. It makes about 20 grants a year.
- This funder mainly awards grants for project or program support. It has supported organizations of all sizes.
- The Deer Creek Foundation accepts Letters of Inquiry, not to exceed three pages, at the address listed below. Inquiries should include information about the organization, its finances, and the program or project for which it is requesting support. Additional attachments may be requested.
- Direct general inquiries to Michael Fischer at (314) 241-3228.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
CONTACT:
Michael P. Fischer, Deer Creek Foundation
800 Market St., Suite 1650
St. Louis, MO 63101
(314) 241-3228
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