Staenberg Foundation turns 20 with $54M in community impact

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light

Published September 2, 2025

Staenberg Family Foundation — Michael Staenberg speaks in May 2009 at the grand opening of the Jewish Community Center’s Staenberg Family Complex. Photo: Dennis Caldwell

If an organization supporting the St. Louis Jewish community has a financial need, there’s a good chance it has received funding from the Staenberg Family Foundation.

This year, the foundation celebrates a significant milestone. It was created 20 years ago through a $5 million donation by Michael and Carol Staenberg as a supporting foundation of Jewish Federation of St. Louis. Throughout the past two decades, the foundation has remained true to its mission of enhancing Jewish life.

It has funded hundreds of projects and initiatives with grants totaling more than $54 million. It is an important source of funding for health, education, medical research, arts and culture, and programs for children, particularly summer camps. The impact touches many St. Louisans, but particularly Jewish institutions. That is intentional, philanthropist Michael Staenberg said.

“It has exceeded all of my expectations, what we have been able to do impacting the community and supporting 360 organizations, 75% of which are part of the Jewish community,” Staenberg said. “The good news is, we’ll continue to give $1 million to $2 million a year over the next 20 years. As important as the gifts are, they are serving as an example and encouraging the next generation to give back.”

Serving as a conduit to provide funding for worthy projects has been a labor of love for Todd Siwak, who has served as a Staenberg foundation board member since its origin.

“It’s a real honor,” said Siwak, who also is Federation’s board chair. “It’s inspiring. It’s educational, and it’s a way to connect with other parts of the community that we might not otherwise form a connection or experience.”

A community without the Staenberg Family Foundation would look far different, said Bob Millstone, who also is on the foundation’s board.

“When I think about Michael’s impact, I think what would our community be like if we didn’t have the Staenberg Family Foundation,” he said. “We wouldn’t have a modernized JCC. We wouldn’t have a renovated, more open Jewish Federation of St. Louis.”

One of the goals of Staenberg’s giving philosophy is to provide a template for others to follow, Millstone said.

“The grants are not just about the impact on the charities and their ability to deliver whatever services or mission they may have,” he said. “It’s about encouraging philanthropy in the community. Michael is very thoughtful about mentoring the emerging generations and trying to encourage them to step up and do their part in the community and see the joys and benefits that philanthropy can bring. That is a great aspect of the grants.”

Staenberg Family Foundation: Impact of Anything Grants

Every year, the Staenberg Family Foundation funds a wide range of initiatives for general support and event sponsorships. It also has supported hundreds of smaller initiatives since 2014 via Anything Grants. These grants range from $1,000 to $5,000 and cover 50% of project costs, with the remainder covered by the applying institution.

They aren’t flashy, but the funds fill a real need. Many address building capital improvements and technology needs. For example, Kol Rinah’s data services requirements increased, and it needed a new server.

“These are things that are not budgeted,” said Rabbi Noah Arnow of Kol Rinah. “It’s not sexy or exciting, but it’s critical to the smooth and safe operation of our synagogue. And we’re so grateful to the Staenberg Family Foundation and the Anything Grant for being willing to fund things that are critical to what we do.”

Kol Rinah, like many congregations, emphasizes safety and security, and new security cameras were added to address that issue. The equipment and digital technology were covered by a Staenberg Anything Grant.

“Our whole congregation appreciates that they are interested in funding things that are needed, and even if they’re not exciting, things that are infrastructure-related and not solely programming,” Arnow said.

Last year, Hillel at Washington University used an Anything Grant to upgrade its kosher kitchen to accommodate the needs of a growing observant Jewish student community, said Jackie Levey, CEO of WashU Hillel.

“Our kitchen had always been kosher, but we transitioned it back under Vaad supervision last year, which required new kitchen equipment and supplies,” Levey said. “The matching grant helped fund that transition. Challenge grants are always helpful in creating momentum for any of our campaigns and the parents have really appreciated the investment of a local philanthropist in this growing community.”

Traditional Congregation also had kosher kitchens in need of repair, said Marian Gordon, executive director.

“The materials get so much wear and tear, and it was a mini refresh,” Gordon said. “We had the kitchens professionally cleaned top to bottom, we had the walls painted. Then we purchased small appliances and new serving pieces that we would not be able to obtain without those funds because there are always too many other needs. It had a very nice reaction from our congregation when we sent out the information asking for matching donations. People enjoy the kiddush that we provide every Shabbat after services. The grants make a big difference when we don’t have the money for repairs. Through the years, they have been a huge help.”

This year, 17 organizations have been awarded an Anything Grant. A total of $65,660 was awarded, with the impact doubled by matching funds raised by the recipients. Infrastructure as well as security and technology needs often emerge for nonprofit organizations, and the grants provide an important source of funds to address them.

“They’re all these operational things that are not glamorous programs that donors are excited to sponsor, but they’re the backbone of nonprofit organizations,” Hillel’s Levey said. “And we can’t run all the wonderful things that we do to advance our mission without having this kind of operational support. We’re grateful for that generosity.”