The document discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the regional community development system in St. Louis. It outlines the mission of inveSTL to engage residents and stakeholders in supporting great neighborhoods through engagement, funding, and both near and long-term goals. The process is described where donations and event proceeds go towards fundraising goals, grant opportunities are opened for top applicants to present to voting members, and the top organization receives funds and reports back on community impact while engaging volunteers.

2. why

3. Regional Community
Development System
Weaknesses
 Federal dollars are shrinking
 No local large foundation focused on
community development
 No national community development
funders or intermediaries

4. Regional Community
Development System
Strengths
 Pride in place
 Charitable
 “I wish”

5. what

6. More Than a Fund
The mission of inveSTL is to engage
residents and stakeholders in the St. Louis
region for the support of great
neighborhoods.
Ingredients:
 Engagement
 Funding
 Near Term and Long Terms

7. how

8. Process
 Your donations and event proceeds go to reaching
inveSTL regional fundraising goals
 inveSTL opens grant opportunities worth 25% of
fundraising goals (the other 75% goes to building a
permanent foundation for community
development)
 Top grant applicants present to inveSTL members
who have given $100 or more in a calendar year
 inveSTL members vote on which organization should
receive our funding
 Top vote getting organization is granted funds,
reports back on its community impact, and
engages inveSTL supporters with volunteer
opportunities

9. Connect with inveSTL
 Facebook: inveSTL
 Twitter: @investstl
 Online: www.investl.org