Giving Thanks for the Power of Philanthropy and Unleashing Potential

In honor of National Philanthropy Day on November 15th and this season of Thanksgiving, this month YouthBridge Community Foundation of Greater St. Louis sheds more light on a grant program and recent grant award that were influenced by our generous fundholders. The Heritage Grant, a part of YouthBridge’s Discretionary Grant Program, provides unrestricted $75,000 grants to child or youth serving organizations that are regularly supported by YouthBridge fundholders. Grant awards are made possible every year due to YouthBridge’s model of repurposing collected administrative fees for discretionary grantmaking. Thanks to consistent donations made by our fundholders, the attention of the YouthBridge Grants Committee centered on Unleashing Potential, a long-standing organization making a big impact on the lives of young people in St. Louis.

To say that the recent Heritage Grant from YouthBridge Community Foundation will unleash potential for Unleashing Potential is not just a play on words. Unleashing Potential is a 112-year-old organization whose mission is to close the opportunity gap for children and youth by building on their strengths. The organization accomplishes this mission by creating educational and empowering experiences through early childhood education, after school programs, youth development and enrichment camps.

Early childhood education is provided by Unleashing Potential (UP) at Caroline Mission on Caroline Street in North City St. Louis. Using evidence-based curriculum, UP strives to ensure that 100% of children are ready to enter kindergarten. That goal was met last year, along with 82% meeting or exceeding age-appropriate developmental milestones. After-school care, which provides a curriculum-based approach to math, literature, character education, fitness, and nutrition, is offered at nine area schools. Summer enrichment camps at various partner sites afford joyful summer learning, while family engagement programs support the entire family throughout the year. In 2023, UP served more than 1,000 children and youth,

As Unleashing Potential has grown and evolved, the organization’s leaders have recognized that the biggest need is to have an even greater impact. Ongoing needs include larger facilities to serve more children, more staff to continue and expand programs, more technology to prepare future leaders, more advanced systems to smooth internal processes, and, of course, more funds.

According to Darlene Sowell, President/CEO of Unleashing Potential, the Heritage Grant from YouthBridge could not have come at a more opportune time. She recently shared with the organization’s board of directors the 2030 vision of being the gold standard for youth enrichment services. Fulfillment of this vision will involve being the best possible employer, being financially sustainable, ensuring programs are excellent with documented positive outcomes, and advocating for children.

Darlene explained that it is not enough to have a wonderful vision for the future; leaders must have plans on how to get there. “The YouthBridge Heritage Grant will be used to help us determine how to best maximize our programs and our physical assets.” In addition to a feasibility study on physical assets, the leadership plans to explore upgrading and/or acquiring technology systems to assist in overall operations. “Attracting, developing, and retaining employees is paramount to success,” Darlene continued. Like many employers, UP has struggled with staffing since COVID. Darlene and her board believe that a state-of-the-art employment environment leads to employee satisfaction, so recruiting, performance management, and other HR strategies are needed. Heritage Grant money will be used to help achieve these objectives.

Unleashing Potential has changed with the times for over a century and the Heritage Grant from YouthBridge will support plans for continued evolution. Darlene expressed appreciation for the financial resources and for the confidence that the organization is on the right track. “This money will help us make a splash and elevate our profile, leading to unleashing the magnificent potential in children, families, and neighborhoods.” It is no surprise that YouthBridge selected this worthy organization as a Heritage Grant recipient!

YouthBridge is thankful for the passionate community members at organizations like Unleashing Potential who work tirelessly to bring the mission to life; and we are dually thankful for generous fundholders who partner with YouthBridge to fuel these organizations. Happy Philanthropy Day to all our partners!