2025 Show-Me Philanthropy Statewide Conference & Annual Meeting
Philanthropy Missouri (PhilMO) convened grantmakers from across Missouri for its 3rd annual statewide conference and annual meeting, Show-Me Philanthropy, on Thursday, January 30, and Friday, January 31, at the Tiger Hotel in Columbia, MO. More than 90 individuals participated from across the state including representatives from corporate foundations and giving programs, tax-supported funds, community foundations, family foundations, donor-advised funds, private foundations, and community partners.
Thursday’s agenda kicked off with roundtables for several of PhilMO’s Networks including the Corporate Funder, Family Foundation & Donor-Advised Fund, Executives, Program Staff, and Operations Staff Networks. A tour of the Missouri State Historical Society presented by Steven Brawley, PhilMO Member (Executive Vice President, ARCHS) and Trustee of the State Historical Society of Missouri, was also offered.
Conference attendees also participated in a film screening and discussion of “Join or Die,” facilitated by PhilMO Board Members Greg Burris (President & CEO - retired, United Way of the Ozarks) and Laura Horwitz (Executive Director, Roblee Foundation). The first day of the Conference ended with a Show-Me Social welcome reception at the Tiger Hotel.
Friday’s agenda opened with a plenary session featuring a keynote presentation by Frederick J. Riley, Executive Director of Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute. Riley explored how broken social trust has left Americans—and their communities—divided, lonely, and in social gridlock and called on funders to invest in deep relationships to weave trust and transform communities.
Throughout the morning, participants had the opportunity to network and peruse a curated collection of texts from Skylark Bookshop, an independent bookstore in Columbia.
Two rounds of breakout sessions followed, which explored a variety of topics that provided opportunity for reflection on the importance of bridging divides to advance impactful philanthropy. Topics included:
- Building Capacity for Systems Change and Transformative Impact, presented by PhilMO Member Andrew Shaughnessy (Owner & Principal, Limitless Horizons Consulting, LLC) and T. Williams (Owner, T. Williams & Associates)
- Deeper Dive: Weaving Trust Panel Discussion, featuring Rev. Bethany Johnson-Javois (President & CEO, Deaconess Foundation), Winter Kinne (President & CEO, Community Foundation of the Ozarks), and Frederick J. Riley (Executive Director, Weave: The Social Fabric Project, Aspen Institute)
- Future of the Missouri Common Grant Application: Kick-Off Funder Dialogue, facilitated by Michelle Miller (President & CEO, Philanthropy Missouri)
- Home Repair Programs: A Key Component of Affordable Housing Strategies, presented by PhilMO Members Stephanie Herbers (Program Manager, St. Louis City Senior Fund) and Katy Keller (Program Manager, Marillac Mission Fund)
- Role of Philanthropy in Disaster: We are All Disaster Funders, presented by Cari Cullen (Program Officer - Domestic Funds, Center for Disaster Philanthropy)
- Show-Me “Non-Traditional Partnerships” to Advance Equity, facilitated by Michelle Miller (President & CEO, Philanthropy Missouri)
The Conference ended with Philanthropy Missouri’s 54th Annual Meeting. Wendell Kimbrough, CEO of ARCHS and PhilMO Board Chair, presided over the meeting. Kimbrough recognized PhilMO’s five new Members from across Missouri who joined the organization in 2024. New grantmaking Members include the KC Chamber Foundation, Neighbor Company, Productive Living Board, and Washington University - St. Louis Initiatives. Limitless Horizons Consulting, LLC joined as an Associate Member.
Following Board of Directors elections, Kimbrough welcomed seven new Directors:
- Jose R. Gomez, Reinsurance Group of America (3-year term)
- Josina Greene, St. Louis Community Foundation (3-year term)
- Andrew Shaughnessy, Limitless Horizons Consulting (3-year term)
- Amy Simpson, Bayer (3-year term)
- Elphanie “Sissy” Swift, YouthBridge Community Foundation (3-year term)
- Bryan Vowels, True North Wealth & Impact (3-year term)
- Marissa Wickham, Commerce Bank (3-year term)
The following three Directors were elected to serve a second three-year term:
- Rita Cortes, Menorah Heritage Foundation
- Wendell Kimbrough, ARCH
- Gwen Wurst, J.R. Albert Foundation
PhilMO Board Officers elected for 2024 are:
- Winter Kinne, Community Foundation of the Ozarks, Chair
- Vianey Beltran, Wells Fargo Foundation, Vice Chair
- Rebekah Miller, Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis, Secretary
- Deena Lauver Scotti, Missouri Foundation for Health, Treasurer
- Wendell Kimbrough, ARCHS, Past Chair
Three outgoing Board Members were recognized for their outstanding service to the organization: Sarah Bowman, PNC Bank; Greg Burris, United Way of the Ozarks; Barbara Carswell, YouthBridge Community Foundation.
Visit https://philanthropymissouri.org/show-me-philanthropy-statewide-conference/ for more photos and highlights from the event.
About Philanthropy Missouri
Philanthropy Missouri (PhilMO) is a statewide association that seeks to strengthen effective philanthropy and mobilize resources to advance a thriving, more equitable Missouri. Founded in 1970, PhilMO equips, connects and energizes philanthropic leaders for thoughtful action and greater impact. PhilMO convenes philanthropic partners and all types and sizes of grantmakers to learn, collaborate, and lead on the most pressing issues facing Missouri communities. Learn more at philanthropymissouri.org.