What is Mound City Fund?
Mound City Fund is a Missouri nonprofit organization that makes charitable grants to help low- to moderate-income homeowners rehabilitate vacant and deteriorated residential property in underserved neighborhoods across St. Louis City and County. Our grants cover a share of redevelopment costs, closing the financing gap that keeps viable homes vacant and helping families build equity where disinvestment has made that nearly impossible.
Why grants instead of loans?
St. Louis already has innovative loan products, city repair programs, and a public stabilization program for city-owned buildings. What the ecosystem lacks is the layer beneath them: grant capital that reduces how much an owner must borrow, serves as the equity that gets a loan approved, and makes the overall project financeable. In neighborhoods where rehab costs exceed appraised values, a loan alone often cannot close the gap. A grant can.
Who can apply for a grant?
Owner-occupants whose household income does not exceed 80% of the Area Median Income may apply, including intended owner-occupants purchasing a home to rehabilitate and live in, such as buyers of City Prop NS stabilized buildings. The property must be a residential building of one to six units within our published target area. Full requirements, priority criteria, and the application process are in our Grant Program Guidelines, available on this website. Board members, staff, their family members, and substantial contributors to the Fund are not eligible for grants.
How much can a grant cover?
Grants cover up to 20% of qualified redevelopment costs on a sliding scale, subject to a per-project cap set annually by our Board and published on this site. Grants are disbursed as work is completed and verified, or paid directly to licensed contractors. Owner-occupant grants carry a three-year occupancy commitment, which protects the charitable purpose of every donated dollar.
How are grant recipients selected?
An independent Grant Selection Committee scores complete applications against published, objective criteria, giving priority to projects that could not proceed without our support, such as those with a documented appraisal gap or a declined rehab loan. Committee members with any relationship to an applicant must disclose it and step aside from that decision. This structure is required by federal tax law for charitable grants to individuals, and we publish our criteria so that every applicant knows exactly how decisions are made.
Is my donation tax deductible?
Mound City Fund has applied to the IRS for recognition as a Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. If granted, recognition is generally retroactive to our incorporation date, which would make contributions received in the interim deductible to the extent allowed by law. Until our determination letter is issued, deductibility is not yet confirmed, and we encourage donors to consult their tax advisors. We will update this page the day our status is confirmed.
How is the Fund governed and how can I verify its finances?
The Fund is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors under adopted bylaws, a conflict of interest policy, a whistleblower policy, and a document retention policy. Our IRS application, annual information returns when filed, governing documents, and current policies are available upon request and, where required, through public disclosure. We are registered with, or in the process of registering with, the Missouri Attorney General for charitable solicitation. See our Governance and Transparency policies.
Does the Fund compete with city programs or other nonprofits?
No. We are designed to stack with them. A Mound City Fund grant can shrink the second mortgage a Gateway Neighborhood Fund borrower needs, supply the rehab capital a Prop NS purchaser cannot borrow, and complement the repair work of programs like Healthy Home Repair and Rebuilding Together St. Louis. We actively coordinate with lenders, agencies, and community organizations, and we welcome referrals from all of them.
How can I help?
Donate, refer an eligible homeowner, or partner with us. Contractors, lenders, appraisers, and neighborhood organizations all have a role in making these projects work. Contact information is on our website, and our Gift Acceptance Policy describes the kinds of gifts we can receive, from cash to securities to in-kind construction materials.