PARTNERING FOR GREATER IMPACT
2025 Annual Impact Report
YouthBridge Community Foundation of Greater St. Louis partners with donors to help charities in the St. Louis region, especially those focused on children, through leadership, grants, and donor services.
2025 YouthBridge Board Members
Wendy Walsh, Chair • Jeff Moenkhaus, Vice Chair • Richard Kallaus, Treasurer • Kathleen Judge, Secretary • Larry Absheer • Dan Bean • Jennifer Belmont Jennings • Byron Caskey • Stacy Clay • Brennan Connor • Tom Goldberg • Elizabeth Houlihan • Dan Shasserre
Message from Our CEO
Dear Friends,
Every year, I am reminded that YouthBridge Community Foundation is not defined by buildings, programs, or even milestones—we are defined by partnership.
Partnerships transformed generosity into impact—creating inclusive spaces, inspiring purpose from grief, and strengthening outcomes—while shared expertise ensured resources grew responsibly to serve the community for generations.
Thank you for being part of the bridge we are building—one that carries children, families, and communities toward brighter futures every day. Let us continue that work with energy, optimism, and a commitment to each other.
Warmly,
Barbara Carswell
Chief Executive Officer
YOUTHBRIDGE BY THE NUMBERS
stayed in the St. Louis region in 2025
to the community since 2005
redistributed into the community
YouthBridge Offers:
Charitable Funds • Private Foundation Administration • Philanthropy for Businesses • Professional Advisor Partnerships • Endowment Building • Grants and Assistance • Charitable Giving Cards
* Unaudited
Nonprofit organizations awarded grants
in the St. Louis Metro Area
St. Louis Metro Area zip codes reached
BUILT ON PARTNERSHIP
Together, we built the bridge
From the beginning, YouthBridge was built on partnership—donors united by a shared belief in what is possible for children. Together, they created an endowment that became our engine for lasting impact.
Founded in 1877 as the German Protestant Children’s Home, our mission has always centered on children. In 2005, we reached a defining milestone, evolving from a direct-care provider into a community foundation—expanding our reach while staying true to our roots.
“The sale of our final residential building marked not an ending, but a turning point, demonstrating how a growing endowment sustains impact across generations.”
– Barbara Carswell, CEO, YouthBridge Community Foundation
Today, that endowment fuels grants, strengthens nonprofits, and sustains community impact—now and for generations to come. We are the bridge between donors, nonprofits, and the potential of our region.
We remain committed to children, families, and stronger communities. YouthBridge is proof that philanthropy, built together, can endure. Join your home for philanthropy. Let our team help you build what lasts.
Read Moreorganizations awarded Discretionary Grants in 2025
awarded in Discretionary Grants in 2025
Fund Fees support Discretionary Grants
PARTNERSHIPS THAT EMPOWER
Every child deserves a place to play, belong, and thrive
“Unlimited Play” is more than a playground—it is a symbol of inclusion, joy, and what is possible when generosity meets vision. Our Donor partnerships honor the power of play for all.
Dedicated to creating barrier-free play for children and adults with disabilities, Unlimited Play designs and builds inclusive playgrounds. A major YouthBridge Fundholder gift sparked the confidence and momentum needed to bring this vision forward.
“The partnership with YouthBridge and the Kevin Beckmann Charitable Trust empowered us to dream boldly and accelerated our vision for extraordinary, inclusive spaces for children.”
– Natalie Mackay, CEO, Unlimited Play
YouthBridge creates Donor partnerships that connect mission-aligned Donors, strengthen early funding, and build momentum for child-serving organizations.
Read More
leads the nation in inclusive play
organizations advancing disability
inclusion supported by YouthBridge
granted by YouthBridge Fundholders supporting disability inclusion
PARTNERSHIPS THAT GROW
Lasting community impact and building the future
Our Agency Endowment Funds help build stronger nonprofits allowing an organization to generate long-term income. YouthBridge amplifies every dollar and every dream by providing investment solutions, matching funds, and gift planning expertise.
Our most recent 2025 Nonprofit Fundholders, Giant Steps of St. Louis, Camp Braveways, and Cornerstone Center for Early Learning shared that long-term stability led them to YouthBridge— while the added community connections are powerful bonuses that strengthen their impact.
Partnering with YouthBridge on an Endowment allows organizations to access professional Fund Management, and the support of a knowledgeable team dedicated to the long-term financial stability of our partner agencies.
Read MoreThe total value of our Agency Endowment Funds increased by 87% from $4.6M in 2024 to $8.6M in 2025!
Annie’s Hope • Camp Braveways • Caritas Family Solutions Foundation • CASA of Jefferson County • CASA of Southwestern Illinois • Child Advocacy Center • Christian Family Services • Cornerstone Center of Early Learning • Crossroads College Preparatory School • Earth Day 365 • Giant Steps of St. Louis • Green Building Council Fund • Guardian Angel Settlement Association • IHELP • Jefferson County Library • Lift for Life Academy • Living Well Foundation • Lutheran Elementary School Association • Parkway Alumni Association • Pony Bird • Restore Orphan Foundation • Sherwood Forest • St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Fund • Stray Rescue of St. Louis • Whetstone Boys Ranch
PARTNERSHIPS THAT TRANSFORM
Turning remembrance into impact
Donors show that generosity grows strongest in community—when giving becomes a shared journey. YouthBridge helped one family turn their grief into purpose, and their story inspired donors of all kinds to rally around a meaningful cause.
In honor of a beloved family member, Rise with Chris supports those in recovery from addiction—and those who care for them—in the St. Louis area. Partnering with YouthBridge allowed the family to expand their reach and deepen their impact.
“Partnering with YouthBridge opened doors we couldn’t have opened ourselves. Through their network and reputation in St. Louis, we were able to connect with supporters, businesses, and community partners who saw Rise with Chris as a credible initiative right away.”
– Cindy Handy, co-founder, Rise with Chris
YouthBridge offers personalized philanthropic advice tailored to each Donor’s unique interests, assets, and goals. Let us help define your philanthropic vision and develop a strategic approach.
Read More
Total Grants awarded in 2025 through new connections YouthBridge made between Donors and organizations aligned with their philanthropic goals
PARTNERSHIPS THAT ENDURE
True impact is not measured in years, but in lives changed
Each partnership we build today plants seeds for tomorrow—proof that long-term collaboration creates lasting difference. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of St. Louis is in the third year of a five-year growth plan after receiving a YouthBridge Heritage Grant.
“With the investment of YouthBridge, CASA has made strategic decisions that strengthen our Board, development, and program teams, creating a stronger, more resilient CASA program—one capable of reaching hundreds more children who are facing trauma, instability, and uncertainty within the foster care system.”
– Jennifer Howard, CEO, CASA of St. Louis
YouthBridge honors Fundholders with Grants to nonprofits they support.
Read MoreCASA of St. Louis • Christian Activity Center • College Bound • The Scholarship Foundation
of St. Louis • Unleashing Potential • Wyman Center
PARTNERSHIPS THAT POWER
Lasting community impact
In his dual role as a financial advisor and chair of the YouthBridge Investment Committee, Byron Caskey brings deep expertise and care to the organization’s mission. His leadership helps ensure that YouthBridge remains a trusted partner—one that protects, grows, and multiplies resources to create meaningful, measurable impact.
“Clients often value charitable giving as they build wealth, even if their donations are modest at first. After meeting family financial needs, they increase their giving, focusing on creating a lasting legacy. Many conversations begin with donor-advised funds to help achieve these goals.”
– Byron Caskey, Financial Advisor, Wells Fargo Advisors
YouthBridge does much more than manage money and facilitate Grants for our Fundholders. We think of ourselves as philanthropy advisors.
Read More
Financial firms partnering with YouthBridge to boost philanthropic investments
YouthBridge assets managed
by donor-recommended advisors
YouthBridge Charitable Funds managed by donor-recommended advisors
YOUTHBRIDGE DISCRETIONARY GRANTS
Thanks to the generosity of our Fundholders and our ability to repurpose 100% of fees collected from
Funds, YouthBridge is able to offer these Community Grant Programs:
Capacity Building
YouthBridge has developed this Grant Program to assist nonprofits in building, strengthening, and sustaining their organizations.
Endowment Building
YouthBridge provides Matching Grants for nonprofit Endowment Funds to encourage organizations to build long-term sustainability.
Heritage
To honor our mission of partnering with Donors around the sustainability of nonprofits, YouthBridge provides Grants to child or youth-serving organizations that are regularly supported by our Fundholders.
Partnerships and Mergers
YouthBridge has developed this Grant Program to assist nonprofits who are looking to, or have already found, ways to partner or merge with other nonprofits.
Think Big for Kids
The Think Big for Kids Fund provides Grants designed to stimulate innovative thinking and fund big ideas from nonprofits that serve children and youth in our community.
YEP STL!
YEP STL! is a program led by high school students striving to make a substantial impact on the Greater St. Louis area by evaluating and providing Grants to youth-focused nonprofit organizations. Students in the program will build the entire grant process and allocate money to non-profit organizations that benefit youth in the St. Louis area.
Photo: Kerengende. Certificates in hand, Kerengende-supported girls and peers mark their accomplishments.