We promote environmental justice by centering frontline voices, fostering trust, and empowering communities to drive systemic change.
“Our vision is a world where environmental justice is a
reality for all, achieved through community empowerment, trust-based philanthropy, and systemic change led by frontline voices.”
Our mission at Sow Joy Peoples Fund is to address environmental racism and promote environmental justice by deeply engaging and building transparent relationships with frontline communities. We center the voices of those most impacted, trusting in their wisdom to guide our efforts. We are committed to systemic change, moving away from traditional philanthropic approaches to embrace a community-centered model that fosters trust, empowerment, and lasting impact.
“The Sow Joy Peoples Fund promotes environmental justice by centering frontline voices, fostering trust, and empowering communities to drive systemic change.”
In recent years, the Franciscan Sisters of Mary have reimagined their approach to giving, focusing on collaboration, equity, and community-led decision-making. They shifted to a model that ensures those most impacted by the care for Creation have a voice in allocating resources, invested in the development of a new environmental justice fund for St. Louis, and embraced participatory funding to align with their values while easing administrative burdens. FSM also recruited community partners to help design a Participatory Giving Fund to address environmental racism in the St. Louis and Metro East areas. These partners formed an 11-member Community Advisory Board, consisting of FSM Sisters and staff, frontline environmental justice stakeholders, and consultants, to guide the fund’s priorities and ensure impactful, community-driven solutions.
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Dan Smith
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Mary D. Hall