We’ll skip the inspirational quotes, the myriad nuggets of wisdom from John D. Rockefeller and Mother Teresa. Instead, in writing about philanthropy in St. Louis, we’ve decided to focus on the specific: acts of altruism happening here and around the globe (Habitat for Humanity’s original St. Louis home, 14 local groups and individuals making a difference abroad), ways small and large that you can effect change (donating a prom dress, the ins and outs of launching your own nonprofit), as well as the more eternal questions (how to handle panhandling, the pros and cons of anonymous giving)… Naturally, there are too many efforts, far too many needs, to cover in a dozen pages. But as with any kind deed, we hope you’ll find it to be a good start.
A lot of seeds were planted a quarter-century ago at Habitat for Humanity's first St. Louis house.
By Jeannette Cooperman
The pros and cons of anonymous giving.
By Robert Meyerowitz
How St. Louis nonprofits have weathered the downturn
By Jarrett Medlin
Few activities do more to boost the heart and soul than helping others.
By Christy Marshall and Erika Miller
Just determining where to start is a daunting task.
By Christy Marshall
How to launch your own nonprofit
By Nancy McMullen
Giving to Panhandlers (Web Exclusive: A priest, a rabbi, and an activist on panhandling)
Kindness or curse?
By Jeannette Cooperman
Around the World in 14 Ways (Web Exclusive: Check out a Google Map pinpointing where St. Louisans are making a difference around the world)
How St. Louisans are making a difference across the globe.
By Jeannette Cooperman
By Jeannette Cooperman, Christy Marshall, Nancy McMullen, Jarrett Medlin, Robert Meyerowitz, and Erika Miller