The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation appears to concentrate its giving on local environmental conservation, funding a single St. Louis–area organization working on habitat protection and restoration. With only two grants totaling $74,000, the foundation favors direct support to hands-on conservation efforts in the region rather than a broad portfolio of causes. Its giving suggests a focused interest in protecting riverine and natural habitats near its home base.
The Lilly Christy Busch Hermann Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by St. Louis conservation work, including a $30,000 grant to Missouri Botanical Garden for the Chairman's Circle & Deer Creek Watershed Alliance Phase V. That grant points to a clear pattern: the foundation supports river, floodplain, and habitat protection close to its Missouri base, while keeping its portfolio compact and hands-on. The largest recent grants also show repeated support for Great Rivers Habitat Alliance, with two $37,000 grants for general support in 2023, indicating sustained backing for local conservation efforts rather than a broad spread across many causes. Beyond habitat protection, the foundation’s recent grants connect environmental stewardship with education and community use of natural spaces. Grants to Audubon Center at Riverlands and American Rivers’ Anglers Fund fit that conservation profile, while gifts to St. Louis institutions such as Missouri Botanical Garden, St Louis Community Foundation, and St Louis Art Museum Foundation show a strong local presence. The foundation’s grant history suggests a preference for direct, repeated support to organizations working in the St. Louis region and related river systems.
Environmental conservation is the clearest thread in the foundation’s giving. It supported Missouri Botanical Garden with $30,000 for the Chairman's Circle & Deer Creek Watershed Alliance Phase V and also gave $10,000 for general support, tying its grants to watershed and conservation work in St. Louis. The foundation also backs habitat and river-focused groups. In 2023, it gave $37,000 twice to Great Rivers Habitat Alliance for general support, and it awarded $10,000 to Audubon Center at Riverlands for general support. Another environmental grant went to American Rivers for American Rivers' Anglers Fund, showing interest in river and angling-related conservation. Local stewardship extends to land and garden preservation as well. A 2025 grant of $10,000 to The Garden Conservancy for general support and $10,000 to Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach for general support show support for conservation organizations outside Missouri as well.
Typical awards are small to modest: the grant-size distribution shows a 25th percentile of $362, a median of $1,000, and a 75th percentile of $1,062. Even so, the recent grants list includes a few larger gifts, which suggests the foundation uses a mostly small-grant model with occasional higher-dollar support for specific projects or operating needs. The pattern also shows repeat support across years and recipients. Great Rivers Habitat Alliance appears multiple times, as do Missouri Botanical Garden, American Rivers, Audubon Center at Riverlands, and The Society of the Four Arts. The foundation funds individuals: false, and makes program-related investments: false, so its giving is organized entirely through grants rather than PRI activity.
$248K
$4.7M
$843K
$322K
Most grants fall between $363 and $1K, with a median of $1K.
25th Percentile
$363
Median
$1K
75th Percentile
$1K
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Highly concentrated and local: few grants, all directed to a single repeat grantee; moderate-sized gifts focused on programmatic or project support rather than wide distribution across many organizations.
Notable grantees: Great Rivers Habitat Alliance
The foundation gives most often in Missouri, which accounts for 48% of grants, and its recent recipients cluster heavily in St. Louis and nearby communities. Named Missouri recipients include St Louis Community Foundation, Dream Builders 4 Equity, St Louis Art Museum Foundation, and Audubon Center at Riverlands in West Alton. Outside Missouri, recent grants also land in Palm Beach and West Palm Beach, Florida, along with Washington, DC, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Garrison, New York. The grant list shows a US-only footprint.
Its recent grants center on environmental and conservation organizations, especially groups working on rivers, watersheds, habitat protection, and stewardship in the St. Louis region. Missouri Botanical Garden, Great Rivers Habitat Alliance, Audubon Center at Riverlands, and American Rivers all appear in the recent grants list.
Yes. Great Rivers Habitat Alliance appears twice with $37,000 general support grants in 2023, and Missouri Botanical Garden appears more than once as well. American Rivers, Audubon Center at Riverlands, and The Society of the Four Arts also show repeated support across the recent grant list.
The distribution is very small-grant oriented: p25 is $362, the median is $1,000, and p75 is $1,062. Recent grants also include larger exceptions, such as a $30,000 grant to Missouri Botanical Garden and two $37,000 grants to Great Rivers Habitat Alliance.
It gives primarily in Missouri, which is the top state by grant count and receives 48% of grants. Recent Missouri recipients are concentrated in St. Louis and nearby West Alton, with additional grants appearing in Florida, Washington, DC, Michigan, and New York.
It does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. The recent record points to grant-based support for operating needs, general support, and specific projects such as watershed work, event support, and endowment allocations.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN | ST LOUIS, MO | $30,000 | 2025 | CHAIRMEN'S CIRCLE & DEER CREEK WATERSHED ALLIANCE PHASE V |
| ST LOUIS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $18,080 | 2025 | HOLTON FOUNDATION |
| PRESERVATION FOUNDATION OF PALM BEACH | PALM BEACH, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE GARDEN CONSERVANCY | GARRISON, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE SOCIETY OF THE FOUR ARTS | PALM BEACH, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST LOUIS ART MUSEUM FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BISSELL PET FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DREAM BUILDERS 4 EQUITY | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST LOUIS COUNTY POLICE WELFARE ASSOC | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH | ST LOUIS, MO | $8,515 | 2025 | NEW STREET SIGN |
| UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI - ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $8,000 | 2025 | LIBRARIES' RENOVATION PROJECT |
| LAGUNA BLANCA SCHOOL | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $7,600 | 2025 | LAGUNA FUND |
| LOVE FOR THE NATIONS FELLOWSHIP | MANASSAS PARK, VA | $5,300 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN |
| MICDS (MARY INSTITUTE AND SAINT LOUIS COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL) | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2025 | MICDS FUND |
| COMMUNITY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| THE CHURCH OF BETHESDA BY THE SEA | PALM BEACH, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | LIGHTING THE WAY: 2024 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
| NATIONAL POETRY SERIES | PRINCETON, NJ | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TRAILNET | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GREAT RIVERS GREENWAY FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $4,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CONSERVATION RESOURCE ALLIANCE | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $4,000 | 2025 | EVENT SUPPORT: MAPLE APPRECIATION EVENT |
| UNIVERSITY OF THE NATIONS KONA INC | KAILUAKONA, HI | $3,913 | 2025 | PLAZA OF THE NATIONS |
| ST LOUIS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $3,205 | 2025 | HOLTON FOUNDATION |
| EAGLE WORLDWIDE MINISTRIES INC | PENSACOLA, FL | $2,867 | 2025 | CAMP ABLAZE |
| YOUTH WITH A MISSION - RICHMOND | RICHMOND, VA | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LAGUNA BLANCA SCHOOL | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $2,500 | 2025 | CARPET REPLACEMENT - 5TH GRADE CLASSROOM |
| UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA | BOONE, IA | $2,500 | 2025 | ALLOCATION: MCINTIRE SCHOOL OF COMMERCE - ANNUAL FUND / MCINTIRE SCHOOL OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION |
| MICDS (MARY INSTITUTE AND SAINT LOUIS COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL) | ST LOUIS, MO | $2,500 | 2025 | MICDS FUND |
| ST LOUIS ART MUSEUM FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $1,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $1,300 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CALVARY PENTECOSTAL TABERNACLE | ASHLAND, VA | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS INC (DBA PROJECT MERCY BAJA) | POWAY, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MICDS (MARY INSTITUTE AND SAINT LOUIS COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL) | ST LOUIS, MO | $1,000 | 2025 | MICDS FUND |
| SAINT LOUIS ZOO ASSOCIATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAINT LOUIS ZOO ASSOCIATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FOREST PARK FOREVER | ST LOUIS, MO | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LOVE FOR THE NATIONS FELLOWSHIP | MANASSAS PARK, VA | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MISSOURI HISTORICAL SOCIETY | ST LOUIS, MO | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EAGLE WORLDWIDE MINISTRIES INC | PENSACOLA, FL | $1,000 | 2025 | CAMP ABLAZE |
| BUSCH WILDLIFE SANCTUARY INC | JUPITER, FL | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LITTLE TRAVERSE CONSERVANCY | HARBOR SPRINGS, MI | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH | HARBOR SPRINGS, MI | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TRUST WOMEN FOUNDATION | WICHITA, KS | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| 1000 FRIENDS OF FLORIDA | TALLAHASSEE, FL | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DEERFIELD ACADEMY | DEERFIELD, MA | $1,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL FUND |
| THE MUNY | ST LOUIS, MO | $1,000 | 2025 | MUNY GUARANTOR |
| SOCIETY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK | FARMINGTON, CT | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COTTAGE 1886 FOUNDATION | PRINCETON, NJ | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY ACADEMY | ST LOUIS, MO | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
$30,000CHAIRMEN'S CIRCLE & DEER CREEK WATERSHED ALLIANCE PHASE V
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GENERAL SUPPORT
BISSELL PET FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST LOUIS COUNTY POLICE WELFARE ASSOC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$8,515NEW STREET SIGN
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI - ST LOUIS
$8,000LIBRARIES' RENOVATION PROJECT
LOVE FOR THE NATIONS FELLOWSHIP
$5,300GENERAL SUPPORT
ST PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$5,000ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN
MICDS (MARY INSTITUTE AND SAINT LOUIS COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL)
$5,000MICDS FUND
THE CHURCH OF BETHESDA BY THE SEA
$5,000LIGHTING THE WAY: 2024 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
NATIONAL POETRY SERIES
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TRAILNET
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
EAGLE WORLDWIDE MINISTRIES INC
$2,867CAMP ABLAZE
YOUTH WITH A MISSION - RICHMOND
$2,500GENERAL SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
$2,500ALLOCATION: MCINTIRE SCHOOL OF COMMERCE - ANNUAL FUND / MCINTIRE SCHOOL OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION
MICDS (MARY INSTITUTE AND SAINT LOUIS COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL)
$2,500MICDS FUND
NATIONAL BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION
$1,300GENERAL SUPPORT
CALVARY PENTECOSTAL TABERNACLE
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MICDS (MARY INSTITUTE AND SAINT LOUIS COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL)
$1,000MICDS FUND
SAINT LOUIS ZOO ASSOCIATION
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SAINT LOUIS ZOO ASSOCIATION
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FOREST PARK FOREVER
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LOVE FOR THE NATIONS FELLOWSHIP
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MISSOURI HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
EAGLE WORLDWIDE MINISTRIES INC
$1,000CAMP ABLAZE
ST JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SOCIETY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COTTAGE 1886 FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT