The Richard A. Baker Foundation gives modest, targeted grants to St. Louis-area nonprofits that provide direct community services and public-facing institutions. Recent funding emphasizes elder services, animal welfare, local scholarship support, and cultural/educational institutions, suggesting a focus on improving quality of life and community assets. Grants are relatively few but meaningful in size for a small private foundation, directed to established local organizations.
A 2023 grant of $23,000 to A Aging Advantage stands out in the Richard a Baker Foundation’s recent giving, because it points directly to a clear pattern: support for St. Louis organizations delivering daily community services. The foundation’s grants are modest in scale but practical in purpose, with awards often aimed at operating support, scholarship funding, or program continuity. Among the larger grants, $20,000 went to the Desmet Scholarship Fund for continued operating expenses and charitable activities, and $14,591 went to Stray Rescue for shelter and care for abused animals. That mix shows a funder that favors established local nonprofits over experimental projects. Senior services appear prominently, but so do animal welfare, education access, and civic or cultural institutions. In the recent record, the foundation supported groups such as St Louis Zoo, Central Institute for the Deaf, Humane Society of Missouri, The Salvation Army, and Lutheran High School South. The result is a grant profile centered on maintaining community-facing organizations that serve older adults, students, animals, and neighborhood needs in the St. Louis area.
Senior quality-of-life services are a clear thread in the foundation’s giving. In 2023, it awarded $23,000 to A Aging Advantage to help improve the quality of life for seniors, and in 2025 it added $5,300 to the same organization for the same purpose. Education support appears in two forms: scholarship support and scholarship endowment funding. The Richard a Baker Foundation gave $20,000 to the Desmet Scholarship Fund for continued operating expenses and charitable activities, then later supported Lutheran High School South with $8,600 for educational scholarship endowment funding. Animal welfare is another repeated area. In 2025, Stray Rescue received $14,591 to provide shelter and care for abused animals, following a $7,000 grant in 2023 for the same purpose. The foundation also made operating support grants to organizations such as Central Institute for the Deaf and The Salvation Army, showing a preference for sustaining service providers rather than underwriting one-off projects.
The foundation’s grant sizes cluster around small-to-midrange awards: the typical grant is $3,375 at the 25th percentile, $5,000 at the median, and $11,125 at the 75th percentile. Recent giving shows repeat support to several recipients across multiple years, including A Aging Advantage, Stray Rescue, Elijah Moore Dreamers Fund Inc, and Lindbergh Schools Foundation. That repeat pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time gifts. It is a private foundation, does not fund individuals, and does not make program-related investments. The recent grants also show a strong preference for operating support, with some targeted scholarship and endowment funding.
$156K
$910K
$41K
$125K
Most grants fall between $3K and $11K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$11K
About 90% of grants go to recipients in MO.
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Concentrated, small-number giving: a handful of mid-sized grants (roughly $12k–$23k) primarily to local, established nonprofits. Funding appears place-based and program- or operating-support oriented rather than highly diversified; no clear pattern of many repeat multi-year commitments from the limited data.
Notable grantees: Aging Advantage, Desmet Scholarship Fund, Stray Rescue (animal shelter/rescue), St. Louis Zoo
Giving is highly localized. All recent grants in the data went to U.S. recipients, and 90% of grants were made to organizations in Missouri, the foundation’s top giving state. St. Louis is the main recipient city, with grants reaching organizations such as A Aging Advantage, Stray Rescue, St Louis Zoo, Central Institute for the Deaf, and Kirk Care Food Pantry. Outside Missouri, one recent grant went to Eden's Army in Belleville, Illinois. The pattern points to a St. Louis-area funding footprint with only limited spillover into nearby communities.
The recent grants support senior services, animal welfare, scholarships, and community institutions. Examples include A Aging Advantage for seniors, Stray Rescue for abused animals, Desmet Scholarship Fund and Lindbergh Schools Foundation for scholarship support, and St Louis Zoo for operating expenses and charitable activities.
No. The foundation’s profile indicates that it does not fund individuals, and the recent grants all go to nonprofit organizations such as The Salvation Army, Humane Society of Missouri, and Lutheran High School South.
The foundation’s grant-size profile is modest: the 25th percentile is $3,375, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $11,125. Recent awards include several $5,000 and $10,000 grants, along with larger gifts such as $23,000 and $20,000.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including A Aging Advantage, Stray Rescue, Elijah Moore Dreamers Fund Inc, and Lindbergh Schools Foundation. Those repeat grants suggest ongoing support rather than isolated awards.
Its giving is centered in Missouri. The data shows 90% of grants went to recipients in Missouri, with many grants going to St. Louis organizations and one recent grant going to Belleville, Illinois.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STRAY RESCUE | ST LOUIS, MO | $14,591 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE SHELTERAND CARE FOR ABUSED ANIMALS. |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES. |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF MISSOURI | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES. |
| CENTRAL INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES. |
| LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH | ST LOUIS, MO | $8,600 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONALSCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENTFUNDING. |
| A AGING ADVANTAGE | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,300 | 2025 | TO HELP IMPROVE THEQUALITY OF LIFE FORSENIORS. |
| ROTARY CLUB OF KIRKWOOD | ST LOUIS, MO | $3,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES. |
| CARDINALS CARE | ST LOUIS, MO | $3,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES. |
| AMERICAN LEGION POST 156 | KIRKWOOD, MO | $2,370 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES. |
| ELIJAH MOORE DREAMERS FUND INC | ST LOUIS, MO | $2,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES. |
| LINDBERGH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $1,655 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONALSCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENTFUNDING. |
| KIRK CARE FOOD PANTRY | ST LOUIS, MO | $1,500 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES. |
| A AGING ADVANTAGE | ST LOUIS, MO | $23,000 | 2023 | TO HELP IMPROVE THEQUALITY OF LIFE FORSENIORS. |
| DESMET SCHOLARSHIP FUND | ST LOUIS, MO | $20,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES. |
| ST LOUIS ZOO | ST LOUIS, MO | $12,500 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES. |
| STRAY RESCUE | ST LOUIS, MO | $7,000 | 2023 | TO PROVIDE SHELTERAND CARE FOR ABUSED ANIMALS. |
| SUNSHINE MINISTRIES | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES. |
| EDEN'S ARMY | BELLEVILLE, IL | $5,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES. |
| DOGS FOR OUR BRAVE | ST LOUIS, MO | $4,500 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES. |
| PARAQUAD | ST LOUIS, MO | $3,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES. |
| LINDBERGH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $2,000 | 2023 | TO FUND EDUCATIONALSCHOLARSHIPS FORSTUDENTS. |
| ELIJAH MOORE DREAMERS FUND INC | ST LOUIS, MO | $2,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES. |
STRAY RESCUE
$14,591TO PROVIDE SHELTERAND CARE FOR ABUSED ANIMALS.
THE SALVATION ARMY
$10,000TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES.
HUMANE SOCIETY OF MISSOURI
$10,000TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES.
CENTRAL INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF
$10,000TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES.
LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH
$8,600TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONALSCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENTFUNDING.
A AGING ADVANTAGE
$5,300TO HELP IMPROVE THEQUALITY OF LIFE FORSENIORS.
ROTARY CLUB OF KIRKWOOD
$3,000TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES.
CARDINALS CARE
$3,000TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES.
AMERICAN LEGION POST 156
$2,370TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES.
ELIJAH MOORE DREAMERS FUND INC
$2,000TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES.
LINDBERGH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
$1,655TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONALSCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENTFUNDING.
KIRK CARE FOOD PANTRY
$1,500TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES.
A AGING ADVANTAGE
$23,000TO HELP IMPROVE THEQUALITY OF LIFE FORSENIORS.
DESMET SCHOLARSHIP FUND
$20,000TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES.
ST LOUIS ZOO
$12,500TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES.
STRAY RESCUE
$7,000TO PROVIDE SHELTERAND CARE FOR ABUSED ANIMALS.
SUNSHINE MINISTRIES
$5,000TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES.
EDEN'S ARMY
$5,000TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES.
DOGS FOR OUR BRAVE
$4,500TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES.
PARAQUAD
$3,000TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES.
LINDBERGH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
$2,000TO FUND EDUCATIONALSCHOLARSHIPS FORSTUDENTS.
ELIJAH MOORE DREAMERS FUND INC
$2,000TO SUPPORT CONTINUEDOPERATING EXPENSES ANDCHARITABLE ACTIVITIES.