St. Louis, Missouri

Updated March 2018

Founded in 1764 by French fur traders who named the city after King Louis IX, St. Louis became part of the United States in 1803 following the Louisiana Purchase. As a major port on the Mississippi River, the city experienced significant growth during the 19th and early 20^th centuries, reaching its peak of nearly 857,000 residents in 1950.

Like other industrial cities, in the mid-20th century St. Louis experienced significant population loss as a result of suburbanization and deindustrialization. As an independent city, St. Louis felt the effects of these trends more severely than other municipalities that could annex surrounding areas to boost tax revenues.

With an estimated 2016 population of 311,404 residents, St. Louis has lost the highest percentage of residents since 1950 (63 percent) than any other U.S. city. While the city continues to experience population loss, the rate of residents leaving over the past decade was not as severe as over previous ones (8 percent vs. 13-27 percent). Today, the city is 47 percent black, 44 percent white, 4 percent Hispanic, and 3 percent Asian.

The rate of poverty in St. Louis is well above that of bordering St. Louis County (25 percent vs. 10 percent) due in part to the relative inability of poorer residents to move away. St. Louis’ black residents fare even worse, with well over a third (38 percent) living at or below the poverty line (compared to 15 percent of the city’s white residents). Unemployment in St. Louis is also above the County average (14 percent vs. 9 percent), and again, St. Louis’ black residents are disproportionally affected, with more than a quarter (26 percent) facing unemployment compared to just 6 percent of the city’s white residents.

Working to address these challenges are a range of community wealth building organizations and initiatives. For example, Beyond Housing’s 24:1 Initiative is a place-based, resident-led effort focused on the 24 municipalities in the Normandy Schools Collaborative area. The Initiative includes an IDA program that has helped more than 1,000 families save over $1 million, and a community land trust, which has spurred over $100 million in economic development, including new homes, a bank, a grocery store, and a cinema. Also particularly notable is the nonprofit Rise, which, in collaboration with a range of nonprofit, financial, and governmental organizations, has developed more than 4,000 homes and 60,000 square feet of commercial space, and has provided $2.7 million in grants to boost the capacity of 20 community development organizations.

To help ensure all St. Louis residents can access healthy, fresh food, Urban Harvest STL grows food at several urban gardens and rooftop farms, and partners with St. Louis MetroMarket, a “farmers market on wheels.” Also in the food sector, City Greens Market (located in Southeast St. Louis) is a small nonprofit grocery that sells all items at cost to its members, who can pay an annual membership fee based on household income or join for free in exchange for volunteering at least an hour per week.

An overview of these and other exemplary community wealth building efforts follows:

Anchor Institutions

Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation

http://www.gstlcf.org

Founded in 1915, the Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation was one of the first community foundations in the nation. Today, it manages 550 individual charitable funds that total more than $350 million in assets and awards over $40 million in grants on an annual basis.

Washington University Medical Center Redevelopment Corporation

http://wumcrc.com

A partnership between BJC Health Care (a nonprofit health care organization headquartered in St. Louis that serves residents in the greater St. Louis, southern Illinois, and mid-Missouri regions) and Washington University School of Medicine, Washington University Medical Center Redevelopment Corporation (WUMCRC) aims to improve the quality of life in Forest Park Southeast and the Central West End—neighborhoods that border the medical campus. Since its formation in the 1990s, the group is credited with investing more than $35 million in Forest Park Southeast and helping to leverage over $1.5 billion in development. WUMCTC is currently planning a $27 million mixed-income 150-unit housing project. To encourage BJC and Washington University employees to live in WUMCRC’s focus areas, the nonprofits offer an Employer Assisted Housing Program, which provides forgivable loans to help employees with down payments or closing costs.

Community Development Corporations (CDCs)

Beyond Housing

http://www.beyondhousing.org

Established in 1975, Beyond Housing provides a range of housing, education, social, and economic development programs aimed at helping communities thrive. Its core project, the 24:1 Initiative, is a place-based, resident-led development effort focused on the 24 municipalities in the Normandy Schools Collaborative area. The Initiative includes an IDA program, which is credited with helping more than 1,000 families save over $1 million over the past decade, and several programs to support students, including $500 college savings accounts for children entering kindergarten and a student-focused IDA program to encourage savings for college expenses. To create and ensure affordable housing opportunities, the Initiative established a community land trust in 2011, which has spurred over $100 million in economic development, including new homes, a bank, a grocery store, and a cinema.

DeSales Community Development

http://www.desaleshousing.com

Formed in 1976 to promote investment in St. Louis’ Fox Park and Tower Grover East neighborhoods, DeSales Community Development (formerly known as DeSales Community Housing Corporation) works to foster diverse, healthy urban communities with quality housing. The CDC is focused on developing multi-family housing projects and currently owns 265 units. In 2004, DeSales established its own property management company, Fox Grove Management, to ensure its properties’ sound management and health. Fox Grove now manages over 1,600 units across the city.

Emerson Park Development Corporation

http://www.emersonpark.org

Founded in 1985, the Emerson Park Development Corporation aims to build a stronger, safer, and healthier East St. Louis. The CDC partners with a range of other community organizations to build new units and renovate existing housing—projects which create affordable rental and job opportunities for area residents. Committed to job training, the CDC runs several initiatives targeted toward youth, returning citizens, and other underserved, unemployed community residents. These include a weatherization program that aims to decrease low-income seniors’ and veterans’ energy costs while providing training and certification to 30 to 50 people a year.

North Newstead Association

https://northnewstead.org

The North Newstead Association promotes economic wellbeing in the North Newstead community by providing affordable housing and family support services. Since its establishment in 1993, the CDC has constructed or rehabilitated nearly 190 affordable housing units and has improved the façades of over 50 area businesses. The nonprofit is currently working to convert a long-vacant public school building into a 36-unit affordable apartment building for seniors.

Northside Community Housing, Inc.

http://northsidecommunityhousing.org

Northside Community Housing, Inc. (NCHI) aims to provide high-quality, affordable housing and opportunities for people to improve their lives and community. Since its establishment in 1977, the CDC has developed over 300 affordable homes. NCHI also supports a range of collaborative community projects, which include two youth employment/entrepreneurship programs, the redevelopment of vacant lots into community gardens, and various neighborhood events.

Old North Saint Louis Restoration Group

http://www.onsl.org

Formed in 1981 by a group of residents, small business owners, and community leaders, the Old North Saint Louis Restoration Group (ONSLRG) seeks to revitalize the old North St. Louis area in a way that respects its historical, cultural, and urban character. Committed to comprehensive community revitalization, ONSLRG’s work focuses on rehabilitating historic buildings, developing market-rate and affordable housing that blends in with the neighborhood, coordinating beautification efforts, and sponsoring community-building events, including a seasonal weekly farmers market.

Rise

http://www.risestl.org

Founded in 1987, Rise (formerly named the Regional Housing and Community Development Alliance) works in partnership with nonprofit, financial, and governmental organizations to redevelop properties, strengthen neighborhoods, and build more equitable communities in the St. Louis area. In addition to developing market-rate and affordable housing, the nonprofit provides capacity-building technical assistance and promotes community development policy and affordable housing advocacy in the region. To date, Rise has developed more than 4,000 homes and 60,000 square feet of commercial space, and has provided $2.7 million in grants to boost the capacity of 20 community development organizations.

Riverview West Florissant Development Corporation

http://www.rwfdc.org

The Riverview West Florissant Development Corporation (RWFDC) focuses on strengthening and stabilizing neighborhoods north of St. Louis City. Since its establishment in 1994, the CDC, which relies on green building techniques, has developed or rehabbed over 150 homes for low to moderate income families. Launched in 2006, RWFDC’s beautification program creates summer jobs for at-risk youth who provide lawn care services for elderly and disabled homeowners. The nonprofit also provides free minor home repair services to low-income area residents, a program that has benefitted 780 residents since its start in 2010.

The Housing Partnership

http://www.thehousingpartnershipstl.org

Founded in 1998 as Lemay Housing Partnership, The Housing Partnership (THP) aims to enhance the quality of life in the Lemay community by fostering a healthy and economically sustainable living environment. Since 2015, the CDC is credited with building about 50 new, affordable homes, many on sites that had derelict, vacant properties. To help area residents remain in their homes, THP also provides forgivable loans to low/moderate income homeowners so they can make improvements needed to increase their houses’ health and safety. The CDC also works to boost homeownership across the St. Louis region by offering homebuyer training, counseling, and small loans to help with down payments and closing costs.

Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)

St. Louis Community Credit Union/Prosperity Connections

https://www.stlouiscommunity.com

Founded in 1942 and originally housed in the dining room of its first president, St. Louis Community Credit Union now has $250 million in assets, 15 branch locations, more than 175 full-time employees, and over 53,000 members. To bring low-cost banking services to “financial deserts,” the credit union also operates three mini-branches within social service agencies. In 2009, St. Louis Community Credit Union became a CDFI, a designation that has helped it secure more than $3.3 million to provide services to low-income, underserved populations. In 2009, the credit union also established a separate nonprofit, Prosperity Connections, which provides free financial education and a nonprofit alternative to payday lending and check cashing services. To date, the nonprofit has supported over 33,000 people.

Community Land Trusts (CLTs)

24:1 Community Land Trust

http://241clt.org

Established in 2011, the 24:1 Community Land Trust aims to help people purchase homes in a thriving, supportive community. To do so, the CLT builds and renovates homes in the Normandy School District and retains ownership of the land to ensure the housing remains affordable. To support residents, all homeowners have access to health, educational, and related services provided by Beyond Housing. To date, the CLT is credited with spurring over $100 million in economic development, including new homes, a bank, a grocery store, and a cinema. In 2016, the CLT completed several commercial projects, including the Red Dough Money Center (providing an affordable alternative to payday loan services) and the Excel Center (offering financial empowerment services). The CLT is now developing a $5.8 million project that will include 41 new homes.

Cooperatives (Co-ops)

First Community Credit Union

https://www.firstcommunity.com

First Community Credit Union is the largest credit union in Missouri with over $2.2 billion in assets, over 270,000 members, and 35 branches. Serving residents across St. Louis County, St. Louis City, Franklin County, Jefferson County, St. Charles County, Warren County, and three Illinois counties, the credit union strives to help members improve their economic and social conditions. Committed to the St. Louis region, First Community sponsors a range of local events and nonprofit organizations.

Neighbors Credit Union

https://www.neighborscu.org

Founded in 1928 to serve area postal workers, Neighbors Credit Union now serves over 48,000 people living across the St. Louis region and holds over $352 million in assets. To encourage savings, the credit union runs several “clubs,” including Camp Cash, which rewards members 12 years and younger for every $10 they deposit. To support the community, Neighbors provides four college scholarships on an annual basis, and donates money and items to a range of community organizations.

Cross-Sectoral

Urban Strategies

http://urbanstrategiesinc.org

Headquartered in St. Louis, Urban Strategies is a national nonprofit aiming to ensure residents in distressed urban core neighborhoods can lead healthy, prosperous lives in thriving, self-sustaining communities. To do so, Urban Strategies focuses on: 1) planning and coordinating comprehensive, multi-stakeholder community revitalization projects, 2) connecting social services to support the physical redevelopment of communities, and 3) nurturing neighborhood-based leadership. In 2016, the nonprofit supported over 19,000 families in public and mixed-income housing communities in 29 neighborhoods across the country.

Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)

Graybar

http://www.graybar.com

Specializing in supply chain management services and the distribution of high-quality components, equipment, and materials for a number of industries, Graybar is an employee-owned Fortune 500 company. With $6.4 billion in revenue in 2016, Graybar, headquartered in St. Louis, has thousands of employees at more than 290 distribution centers throughout the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

http://www.mccarthy.com

Founded in 1864 and headquartered in St. Louis, McCarthy Building Companies is one of the nation's oldest privately owned construction firms. Having completed $7.6 billion in green construction projects, the 100 percent employee-owned firm is considered one of the top 20 green builders in the nation. Today, the company has more than $3.5 billion in annual revenues, 1,700 full-time employees, and 16 offices located across the U.S.

Impact Investing

St. Louis Equity Fund

http://www.slefi.com

The St. Louis Equity Fund aims to stimulate the development of affordable, low- and moderate-income housing to revitalize and stabilize St. Louis neighborhoods. To do so, the fund attracts corporate investors that earn a market rate of return and uses affordable tax incentives to catalyze public-private partnerships around development projects. Since the Fund’s inception in 1988, it has raised $367 million, investments that have leveraged $644 million of development in 4,446 units of affordable housing.

Individual Wealth Building

Community Action Agency of St. Louis County

http://www.caastlc.org

The Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (CAASTLC) provides services to 44,000 low-income people on an annual basis. With a mission to end poverty, services include counseling, employment training, energy assistance and weatherization, life skills education, Veteran services, and substance abuse classes. The nonprofit also has a matched savings program through which 36 people saved nearly $43,000 in 2015. To help people access affordable, healthy food, CAASTLC supports 5 community gardens and the Seeds of Hope Farm. The Farm offers paid internships to help area youth learn job skills and has a CSA program through which low-income families can receive organic produce at reduced rates or in exchange for volunteering.

Grace Hill Settlement House

http://gracehillsettlement.org

Founded in 1903 to support immigrant populations, Grace Hill Settlement House now works in partnership with neighbors and other stakeholders in North and South St. Louis to provide opportunities for individuals, families, and communities to be stronger, healthier, and more self-reliant. In 2011, the nonprofit opened the Water Tower Hub to serve as a one-stop shop for its economic, education, and health services. Water Tower Hub includes a Head Start Center, 15 units of housing with supportive services, a branch of the St. Louis Credit Union, comprehensive employment services, and a women’s business center (which is credited with helping to create 100 jobs on an annual basis). To build residents’ capacity, Grace Hill runs a Neighborhood College program, through which residents can take courses that will help them better themselves, their families, or their neighborhoods.

Justine Petersen Housing and Reinvestment Corporation

http://www.justinepetersen.org

The Justine Petersen Housing and Reinvestment Corporation helps low-income individuals and families develop, maintain, and increase financial assets. Since its establishment in 1997, the nonprofit has helped more than 4,000 individuals purchase homes through its education and credit building programs. To support businesses, the nonprofit provides micro-loans, one-on-one counseling, and technical assistance, and has two small business incubators. In 2015, the organization made 863 micro-loans totaling $11 million.

Local Food Systems

City Greens Market

https://stlcitygreens.org

Launched by a group of women frustrated by the lack of accessible grocery stores selling organic, local food in Southeast St. Louis, City Greens Market is a nonprofit small grocery aiming to support local agriculture and ensure all community members can buy affordable, good food. The Market sells all items at cost to its members, who pay an annual membership fee based on their household income or join for free in exchange for volunteering at least an hour per week. The nonprofit also offers classes and demonstrations focused on cooking nutritious, affordable meals.

Gateway Greening

http://www.gatewaygreening.org/our-programs/city-seeds-urban-farm

Founded in 1983, Gateway Greening empowers people to strengthen their communities through gardening and urban agriculture. One of its core projects is its 2.5 acre urban farm, which grows about 15,000 pounds of organic produce a year that is then distributed through its CSA program and a local food pantry. The farm serves as a job training ground for people overcoming homelessness, mental illness, chronic addiction, and/or recidivism. Since the farm’s establishment in 2006, it has supported 683 trainees and produced over 120,000 pounds of food. Gateway Greening also provides guidance and other resources to over 200 community gardens and 70 school-based gardens.

Sweet Potato Project

http://sweetpotatoprojectstl.org

The Sweet Potato Project aims to restore economic activity in North St. Louis by providing paid training opportunities for area youth while creating new ways to grow and distribute local produce. Each summer, youth learn agricultural and entrepreneurial skills while growing sweet potatoes, which in the fall and winter months they use to bake, market, and sell sweet potato cookies. A long-term Sweet Potato Project goal is to encourage other city stakeholders to lease or purchase vacant properties on which they can grow produce, with the option of selling their yield to the Project so that it can create more food-based products.

Urban Harvest STL

http://www.urbanharveststl.org

Urban Harvest STL aims to grow organic food for people living in St. Louis food deserts. The nonprofit grows food at several urban gardens and rooftop farms, and has partnered with St. Louis MetroMarket, a “farmers market on wheels,” to ensure those in food deserts can access healthy food on a weekly basis. Also focused on education, Urban Harvest trains interns and volunteers, and holds community events to teach people how to grow food and lead healthier lives. In 2016, Urban Harvest grew over 3,500 pounds of organic produce valued at nearly $21,000.

Social Enterprise

Angel Baked Cookies

http://www.angelbaked.org

Established by the nonprofit North Grand Neighborhood Services, Angel Baked Cookies is a social enterprise that empowers youth through employment, training, and personal development. Since its launch in 2007, the enterprise has employed over 20 youth, who bake, market, and sell freshly made cookies across the St. Louis region.

University & Community Partnerships

Neighborhood Leadership Academy (Univ. of Missouri)

http://www.umslce.org/index.php/neighborhood-leadership-academy/384-about

Bringing together a diverse group of up to 20 current or potential neighborhood leaders each year, the University of Missouri-St. Louis's Neighborhood Leadership Academy offers 10 sessions over a four-month period on leadership training that focuses on community building principles, organizational leadership and management practices, and personal leadership skills. Each participant completes a personal leadership development plan and designs a community-building project for their neighborhood. To date, the program has graduated more than 270 neighborhood leaders.

St. Louis, Missouri

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