The Donate Life Foundation concentrates on supporting organ donation/transplantation infrastructure, hospital-based clinical innovation, and community bereavement services in the St. Louis / Missouri region and nearby states. They fund a mix of healthcare providers, academic medical centers, and local nonprofits—frequently making recurring programmatic grants to hospital systems, transplant organizations, and grief-support programs, as well as targeted scholarships and research support at universities. Distinctive priorities are sustaining transplant coordination and capacity, advancing clinical research/innovation, and funding local grief and bereavement services tied to loss and end-of-life care.
The largest recent grant in the record is a $4.1 million general-support award to Mid-America Transplant Services, which signals how central transplant infrastructure is to Donate Life Foundation’s grantmaking. The foundation also backs hospital-based clinical innovation and research, with major awards to Washington University and St. Louis University in St. Louis. Alongside those health-system and academic grants, it supports community bereavement organizations serving people affected by loss, including grief centers and infant-loss services in Missouri and nearby states. The pattern is regional and tightly linked to organ donation and transplant care. In the same grant set, the foundation funded Casa De Salud for community preventive health, Baptist Memorial Healthcare Foundation in Jonesboro for grief-centered community work, and Eye Thrive for preventive health programming. Scholarships and investigator support also appear in the portfolio, especially through university-based recipients. Across these awards, Donate Life Foundation combines large institutional support with smaller program grants aimed at clinical capacity, patient support, and grief services.
In transplant systems, Donate Life Foundation made a $4,145,979 general-support grant to Mid-America Transplant Services. That award stands apart from the foundation’s other health grants because it directly supports regional organ donation and transplantation infrastructure. In clinical innovation and investigator support, Washington University received $681,130 in 2025 and $562,408 in 2024 for science-clinical innovation, while St. Louis University received $608,316 in 2024 and $496,774 in 2025 for science-clinical innovation and investigator support. The foundation also backed the University of Missouri Curators with $209,304 in 2025 for the same area. For grief and bereavement services, awards went to St. Louis Bereavement Center for Young People dba Annie’s Hope, Lost & Found Grief Center, Family Hospice of Belleville Area, Infant Loss Resources Inc, and University of Missouri St Louis under community-grief-centers or related program support labels. Preventive health appears through Eye Thrive and Casa De Salud.
Typical awards cluster around six figures: p25 is $37,800, median grant size is $95,154, and p75 is $107,919. The distribution includes a very large outlier to Mid-America Transplant Services and many recurring grants near $100,000. Recipients often appear across multiple years, including Washington University, St. Louis University, Casa De Salud, Lost & Found Grief Center, and Family Hospice of Belleville Area. The foundation is a public charity and makes program grants rather than grants to individuals. The record shows no applicant-driven process details.
$2.4M
$90.7M
$4.1M
$4.6M
Most grants fall between $38K and $108K, with a median of $95K.
25th Percentile
$38K
Median
$95K
75th Percentile
$108K
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Concentrated, regionally focused giving with a mix of several large awards and many mid-sized recurring grants; multiple repeat grants to the same health systems, transplant organizations, universities, and local bereavement nonprofits rather than one-off national giving.
Notable grantees: Mid-America Transplant Services, Washington University (medical/clinical innovation), St. Louis University (clinical research & investigator support), Annie's Hope / St. Louis Bereavement Center for Young People, Gift of Life
Donate Life Foundation gives regionally, with 76% of grants going to recipients in Missouri. St. Louis is the main recipient city in the recent grants list, with additional awards in Maryland Heights, Springfield, and Rolla. Outside Missouri, grants in the list reached Belleville, Illinois; Jonesboro, Arkansas; and Overland Park, Kansas. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 50 grants to U.S. recipients.
The recent grants show support for transplant services, university-based clinical innovation, grief and bereavement programs, preventive health, and some scholarship support. Examples include Mid-America Transplant Services, Washington University, St. Louis University, Annie’s Hope, Lost & Found Grief Center, and Eye Thrive.
Yes. 76% of grants go to recipients in Missouri, and St. Louis appears repeatedly in the grant list. The foundation also gives to nearby recipients such as Belleville, Illinois; Jonesboro, Arkansas; and Overland Park, Kansas.
The median recent grant is $95,154. The middle half of grants falls between $37,800 at the 25th percentile and $107,919 at the 75th percentile. The list also includes a much larger $4,145,979 award to Mid-America Transplant Services.
Several recipients receive funding across multiple years. Washington University, St. Louis University, Casa De Salud, Lost & Found Grief Center, Family Hospice of Belleville Area, and Annie’s Hope each appear more than once in the recent grants list.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | ST LOUIS, MO | $681,130 | 2025 | SCIENCE-CLINICAL INNVOVATION |
| ST LOUIS UNIVERSITY | ST LOUIS, MO | $496,774 | 2025 | SCIENCE-CLIN INNV & INVESTIGATOR |
| UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI CURATORS | ROLLA, MO | $209,304 | 2025 | SCIENCE-CLINICAL INNVOVATION |
| LOST & FOUND GRIEF CENTER | SPRINGFIELD, MO | $100,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS |
| EYE THRIVE | MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO | $100,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY-PREVENTIVE HEALTH |
| ST LOUIS BREAVEMENT CENTER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE DBA ANNIE'S HOPE | ST LOUIS, MO | $100,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS |
| FAMILY HOSPICE OF BELLEVILLE AREA | BELLEVILLE, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS |
| UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $100,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS |
| BAPTIST MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION | JONESBORO, AR | $100,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS |
| CASA DE SALUD | ST LOUIS, MO | $99,664 | 2025 | COMMUNITY-PREVENTIVE HEALTH |
| INFANT LOSS RESOURCES INC | ST LOUIS, MO | $97,830 | 2025 | COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS |
| GIFT OF LIFE | OVERLAND PARK, KS | $67,500 | 2025 | COMMUNITY-PREVENTIVE HEALTH |
| GATEWAY REGIONAL YMCA | ST LOUIS, MO | $35,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT DIABETES AND HYPERTENSION PROGRAMS |
| UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FOR MEDICAL SCIENCES FOUNDATION | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $35,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT PATIENT NAVIGATION SERVICES IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS |
| ST LOUIS REGIONAL HEALTH COMMISSION | ST LOUIS, MO | $35,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS |
| SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY | CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| ST LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | BRIDGETON, MO | $8,500 | 2025 | COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS |
| ST LOUIS UNIVERSITY | ST LOUIS, MO | $608,316 | 2024 | SCIENCE-CLIN INNV & INVESTIGATOR |
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | ST LOUIS, MO | $562,408 | 2024 | SCIENCE-CLINICAL INNVOVATION |
| EYE THRIVE | MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO | $100,000 | 2024 | COMMUNITY-PREVENTIVE HEALTH |
| ST LOUIS BREAVEMENT CENTER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE DBA ANNIE'S HOPE | ST LOUIS, MO | $100,000 | 2024 | COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS |
| UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $100,000 | 2024 | COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS |
| FAMILY HOSPICE OF BELLEVILLE AREA | BELLEVILLE, IL | $99,927 | 2024 | COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS |
| CASA DE SALUD | ST LOUIS, MO | $99,750 | 2024 | COMMUNITY-PREVENTIVE HEALTH |
| LOST & FOUND GRIEF CENTER | SPRINGFIELD, MO | $98,800 | 2024 | COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS |
| UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI CURATORS | ROLLA, MO | $95,154 | 2024 | SCIENCE-CLINICAL INNVOVATION |
| GIFT OF LIFE | OVERLAND PARK, KS | $86,000 | 2024 | COMMUNITY-PREVENTIVE HEALTH |
| INFANT LOSS RESOURCES INC | ST LOUIS, MO | $50,490 | 2024 | COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS |
| BAPTIST MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION | JONESBORO, AR | $50,000 | 2024 | COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS |
| ST LOUIS REGIONAL HEALTH COMMISSION | ST LOUIS, MO | $35,000 | 2024 | COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS |
| POWER 4 ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $35,000 | 2024 | COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS |
| SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY | CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO | $20,800 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| MID-AMERICA TRANSPLANT SERVICES | ST LOUIS, MO | $4,145,979 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | ST LOUIS, MO | $488,767 | 2023 | CLINICAL INNOVATION, RESEARCH SUPPORT |
| ST LOUIS BREAVEMENT CENTER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE DBA ANNIE'S HOPE | ST LOUIS, MO | $108,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM GRANT |
| LOST & FOUND GRIEF CENTER | SPRINGFIELD, MO | $108,000 | 2023 | RESEARCH GRANT |
| BAPTIST MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION | JONESBORO, AR | $108,000 | 2023 | PROGRAM GRANT |
| CASA DE SALUD | ST LOUIS, MO | $107,992 | 2023 | PROGRAM GRANT |
| FAMILY HOSPICE OF BELLEVILLE AREA | BELLEVILLE, IL | $107,919 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI CURATORS | ROLLA, MO | $95,154 | 2023 | SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT |
| ST LOUIS UNIVERSITY | ST LOUIS, MO | $86,148 | 2023 | PROGRAM GRANT SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT |
| INFANT LOSS RESOURCES INC | ST LOUIS, MO | $62,515 | 2023 | PROGRAM GRANT |
| SIUC FOUNDATION | CARBONDALE, IL | $49,290 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| GIFT OF LIFE | OVERLAND PARK, KS | $48,500 | 2023 | PROGRAM GRANT |
| EYE THRIVE | MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO | $37,800 | 2023 | PROGRAM GRANT |
| UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $37,800 | 2023 | PROGRAM GRANT |
| SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY | CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO | $28,800 | 2023 | SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT |
| ST LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $17,600 | 2023 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| COX FOUNDATION | SPRINGFIELD, MO | $15,000 | 2023 | CLINICAL INNOVATION RESEARCH SUPPORT |
| EMORY UNIVERSITY | ATLANTA, GA | $12,871 | 2023 | PROGRAM GRANT |
ST LOUIS UNIVERSITY
$496,774SCIENCE-CLIN INNV & INVESTIGATOR
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI CURATORS
$209,304SCIENCE-CLINICAL INNVOVATION
ST LOUIS BREAVEMENT CENTER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE DBA ANNIE'S HOPE
COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS
FAMILY HOSPICE OF BELLEVILLE AREA
$100,000COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI ST LOUIS
$100,000COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS
BAPTIST MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
$100,000COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS
INFANT LOSS RESOURCES INC
$97,830COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS
GIFT OF LIFE
$67,500COMMUNITY-PREVENTIVE HEALTH
SUPPORT PATIENT NAVIGATION SERVICES IN NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
ST LOUIS REGIONAL HEALTH COMMISSION
$35,000COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
$25,000SCHOLARSHIPS
ST LOUIS UNIVERSITY
$608,316SCIENCE-CLIN INNV & INVESTIGATOR
ST LOUIS BREAVEMENT CENTER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE DBA ANNIE'S HOPE
$100,000COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI ST LOUIS
$100,000COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS
FAMILY HOSPICE OF BELLEVILLE AREA
$99,927COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI CURATORS
$95,154SCIENCE-CLINICAL INNVOVATION
GIFT OF LIFE
$86,000COMMUNITY-PREVENTIVE HEALTH
INFANT LOSS RESOURCES INC
$50,490COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS
BAPTIST MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
$50,000COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS
ST LOUIS REGIONAL HEALTH COMMISSION
$35,000COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS
POWER 4 ST LOUIS
$35,000COMMUNITY-GRIEF CENTERS
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
$20,800SCHOLARSHIPS
MID-AMERICA TRANSPLANT SERVICES
$4,145,979GENERAL SUPPORT
ST LOUIS BREAVEMENT CENTER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE DBA ANNIE'S HOPE
$108,000PROGRAM GRANT
BAPTIST MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
$108,000PROGRAM GRANT
FAMILY HOSPICE OF BELLEVILLE AREA
$107,919PROGRAM SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI CURATORS
$95,154SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT
ST LOUIS UNIVERSITY
$86,148PROGRAM GRANT SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT
INFANT LOSS RESOURCES INC
$62,515PROGRAM GRANT
GIFT OF LIFE
$48,500PROGRAM GRANT
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI ST LOUIS
$37,800PROGRAM GRANT
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
$28,800SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT
COX FOUNDATION
$15,000CLINICAL INNOVATION RESEARCH SUPPORT