The Pershing Charitable Trust is a St. Louis–focused funder that concentrates sizable grants on civic and community institutions — especially arts, K–12 education models, and regional civic infrastructure. They favor a small set of repeat local partners, providing large, unrestricted gifts that support general operating capacity. The foundation’s giving suggests an interest in cultural vitality, education innovation, urban ecological amenities, and community development within the St. Louis metro area.
Pershing Charitable Trust’s recent giving is anchored by repeated seven-figure and high-six-figure support for St. Louis institutions, led by $1,000,000 to the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra in 2023 and $750,000 in 2024. That pattern sits alongside similarly large gifts to local education and civic organizations, including $700,000 to Access Academies and $600,000 to Greater St Louis Inc Foundation. The trust’s grant list shows a strong preference for general charitable or general purpose support rather than narrowly designated projects, and its largest awards cluster around arts, education, community development, and neighborhood-serving institutions in the St. Louis metro area. The foundation also appears to back organizations that shape the region’s civic life over time. In 2025, it gave $600,000 to St Louis Childrens Hospital Foundation, $500,000 to Great Rivers Greenway Foundation, and $500,000 to Refuge and Restoration, showing support for health, green infrastructure, and social services. Another repeated pattern is multiyear support for the same recipients, with Access Academies, Concordance Academy, Great Rivers Greenway Foundation, and Beyond Housing all appearing more than once across recent years. The overall picture is of a locally focused trust that uses substantial unrestricted grants to reinforce institutions serving the St. Louis community.
Arts and culture receive some of the trust’s largest checks. The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra was awarded $1,000,000 in 2023 and $750,000 in 2024 for general charitable purposes, while Coca - Center of Creative Arts received $150,000 in 2023. Education is another clear emphasis. Access Academies received $700,000 in 2024 and $300,000 in 2025, and Concordance Academy received $400,000 in 2023, $400,000 in 2024, and $400,000 in 2025, all for general charitable or general purpose support. Community development and civic infrastructure also show up repeatedly. Beyond Housing received $250,000 in 2024 and $125,000 in 2025, Greater St Louis Inc Foundation received $600,000 in 2024 and $179,000 in 2025, and Invest Stl received $100,000 in 2025. Urban League of Metro Saint Louis and Missouri Historical Society also appear in the recent grants list.
Typical grants cluster around a mid-five-figure to low-six-figure range: p25 is $14,000, the median is $25,000, and p75 is $50,000. The recent list also includes a smaller number of much larger awards, which pull the narrative toward major operating support for established institutions. The trust shows repeat giving to the same organizations across multiple years, including Access Academies, Concordance Academy, Great Rivers Greenway Foundation, Beyond Housing, and St Louis Symphony Orchestra. It is classified as a Bank DAF Program, makes no program-related investments, and does not fund individuals.
$5.2M
$88.4M
$8M
$5.8M
Most grants fall between $14K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$14K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated, large-dollar giving to a small number of repeat local grantees; multiple multi-thousand to million-dollar gifts and several repeat commitments suggesting multi‑year general operating support rather than many small one‑off grants.
Notable grantees: St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Concordance Academy, Great Rivers Greenway Foundation, Access Academies, Refuge and Restoration
Giving is overwhelmingly concentrated in Missouri, with 92% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state and MO also the top state by grant count. The recent grants list is dominated by St. Louis recipients such as St Louis Symphony Orchestra, Access Academies, Concordance Academy, Great Rivers Greenway Foundation, and Greater St Louis Inc Foundation. Outside Missouri, the only named recipient location in the recent top-grant list is Cambridge, MA, for Tanzanian Children's Fund. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 303 grants in the United States.
Recent grants center on arts and culture, K–12 education, civic and community development, green infrastructure, and social services. Named recipients include Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, Access Academies, Great Rivers Greenway Foundation, Greater St Louis Inc Foundation, and Refuge and Restoration.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Access Academies, Concordance Academy, Great Rivers Greenway Foundation, Beyond Housing, and Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards.
The grant-size distribution is centered in the mid-five figures: p25 is $14,000, the median is $25,000, and p75 is $50,000. The recent list also includes larger operating gifts in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Its giving is concentrated in Missouri. The top state by grant count is MO, and 92% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent grants are heavily concentrated in St. Louis and nearby Florissant.
The recent grant list repeatedly uses general charitable purposes and general purpose funds. That includes support to organizations such as St Louis Childrens Hospital Foundation, Missouri Historical Society, and Invest Stl, indicating a preference for flexible funding.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST LOUIS CHILDRENS HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $600,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| EPSISCOPAL CHURCH OF ST MICHAEL | ST LOUIS, MO | $400,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| CONCORDANCE | ST LOUIS, MO | $400,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| ACCESS ACADEMIES | ST LOUIS, MO | $300,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| NINE PBS | ST LOUIS, MO | $150,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| STL UNIVERSITY FBO VACCINE EDUCATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $150,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| URBAN LEAGUE OF METRO STL | ST LOUIS, MO | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| URBAN LEAGUE OF METROPOLITAN STL | ST LOUIS, MO | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| PETER AND PAUL COMMUNITY SERVICES | ST LOUIS, MO | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| INVEST STL | ST LOUIS, MO | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| BEYOND HOUSING INC | ST LOUIS, MO | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| DONALD DANFORTH PLANT SCIENCE CENTER | ST LOUIS, MO | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| GREATER ST LOUIS INC | ST LOUIS, MO | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| METROPOLITAN GOLF FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| ST LOUIS UNIVERSITY RISING TEACHERS PROGRAM | ST LOUIS, MO | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| THE SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION OF STL | ST LOUIS, MO | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY | ST LOUIS, MO | $95,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| TANZANIAN CHILDRENS FUND | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $95,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| OPERATION FOOD SEARCH | ST LOUIS, MO | $90,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| CASA DE SALUD | ST LOUIS, MO | $90,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| CURATORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MO-STL | ST LOUIS, MO | $80,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY PERSHING FELLOWS | ST LOUIS, MO | $80,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| MISSION REALTY ADVISORS | ST LOUIS, MO | $75,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| CITY ACADEMY | ST LOUIS, MO | $75,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| HARRIS STOWE STATE UNIVERSITY | ST LOUIS, MO | $70,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| UPSTREAM THEATER | ST LOUIS, MO | $60,500 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| MED AND FOOD FOR KIDS | ST LOUIS, MO | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| ST LOUIS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL | ST LOUIS, MO | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| STL SYMPHONY ORCHEASTRA | ST LOUIS, MO | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF ST MICHAEL AND ST GEORGE | ST LOUIS, MO | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| 4THEVILLE | ST LOUIS, MO | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| INTERNATIONAL MENTORING PROGRAM | ST LOUIS, MO | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| COLORADO OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTER | FLORISSANT, CO | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| MISSOURI BOTANTICAL GARDEN | ST LOUIS, MO | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| WORLD PEDIATRICS | ST LOUIS, MO | $45,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| FLANCE MANAGEMENT INC | ST LOUIS, MO | $40,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| RADIO ARTS FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $35,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| QUEEN OF PEACE CENTER | ST LOUIS, MO | $35,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| FRIENDS OF KWMU INC | ST LOUIS, MO | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| ALMOST HOME | ST LOUIS, MO | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| LOYOLA ACADEMY OF ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| MISSOURI VETERANS ENDEAVOR | ST LOUIS, MO | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| KIDSMART TOOLS FOR LEARNING | ST LOUIS, MO | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| OPERA THEATRE OF STL | ST LOUIS, MO | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| MARIAN MIDDLE SCHOOL | ST LOUIS, MO | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| STL ZOO | ST LOUIS, MO | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| SHERWOOD FOREST CAMP INC | ST LOUIS, MO | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| HOMEWORKS | ST LOUIS, MO | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| MARYGROVE | FLORISSANT, MO | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
| LAUNCHCODE FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS |
ST LOUIS CHILDRENS HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$600,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
EPSISCOPAL CHURCH OF ST MICHAEL
$400,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
CONCORDANCE
$400,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
ACCESS ACADEMIES
$300,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
NINE PBS
$150,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
STL UNIVERSITY FBO VACCINE EDUCATION
$150,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
URBAN LEAGUE OF METRO STL
$100,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
URBAN LEAGUE OF METROPOLITAN STL
$100,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
PETER AND PAUL COMMUNITY SERVICES
$100,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
INVEST STL
$100,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
BEYOND HOUSING INC
$100,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
DONALD DANFORTH PLANT SCIENCE CENTER
$100,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
GREATER ST LOUIS INC
$100,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
METROPOLITAN GOLF FOUNDATION
$100,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
ST LOUIS UNIVERSITY RISING TEACHERS PROGRAM
$100,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
THE SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION OF STL
$100,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY
$95,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
TANZANIAN CHILDRENS FUND
$95,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
OPERATION FOOD SEARCH
$90,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
CASA DE SALUD
$90,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
CURATORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MO-STL
$80,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY PERSHING FELLOWS
$80,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
MISSION REALTY ADVISORS
$75,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
CITY ACADEMY
$75,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
HARRIS STOWE STATE UNIVERSITY
$70,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
UPSTREAM THEATER
$60,500GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
MED AND FOOD FOR KIDS
$60,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
ST LOUIS SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
$60,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
STL SYMPHONY ORCHEASTRA
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF ST MICHAEL AND ST GEORGE
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
4THEVILLE
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
INTERNATIONAL MENTORING PROGRAM
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
COLORADO OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTER
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
MISSOURI BOTANTICAL GARDEN
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
WORLD PEDIATRICS
$45,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
FLANCE MANAGEMENT INC
$40,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
RADIO ARTS FOUNDATION
$35,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
QUEEN OF PEACE CENTER
$35,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
FRIENDS OF KWMU INC
$30,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
ALMOST HOME
$30,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
LOYOLA ACADEMY OF ST LOUIS
$30,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
MISSOURI VETERANS ENDEAVOR
$30,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
KIDSMART TOOLS FOR LEARNING
$30,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
OPERA THEATRE OF STL
$30,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
MARIAN MIDDLE SCHOOL
$30,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
STL ZOO
$25,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
SHERWOOD FOREST CAMP INC
$25,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
HOMEWORKS
$25,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
MARYGROVE
$25,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS
LAUNCHCODE FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL PURPOSE FUNDS