The Gateway Regional Environment Fund (GREF) is a component fund of the St. Louis Community Foundation and is dedicated to supporting initiatives that reduce the carbon footprint of the St. Louis metropolitan area. The fund operates with the understanding that while greenhouse gases are a global issue, their environmental and public health impacts are also felt locally. GREF aims to support community-driven strategies that tackle this pressing issue and contribute to a more sustainable future for the region.

The GREF focuses on projects that directly contribute to carbon reduction and environmental sustainability in the St. Louis metro area. The fund supports a wide range of community efforts that align with these objectives, encouraging localized solutions to a global problem. While specific examples of eligible projects are not provided in the summary, applicants are encouraged to design proposals that demonstrate measurable impacts in lowering greenhouse gas emissions and improving environmental health outcomes.

GREF is currently accepting Letters of Intent (LOIs) for its 2025 grant cycle. Applicants must submit their LOIs through the St. Louis Community Foundation’s grants management portal. The deadline for LOI submissions is Friday, March 28, 2025. The fund has issued a full Request for Proposals (RFP), which includes additional guidance on eligibility, funding priorities, and application requirements. Interested organizations are encouraged to review the RFP to ensure their proposals align with the fund’s mission.

Questions regarding the application process or eligibility can be directed to the St. Louis Community Foundation at grants@stlgives. The application process begins with the LOI phase, and selected applicants will likely be invited to submit full proposals following the LOI review, although the complete application timeline is not fully detailed in the available information.

This grant opportunity is best suited for organizations located in or serving the St. Louis metropolitan area with projects focused on environmental sustainability and carbon reduction. As a regional grant initiative, GREF emphasizes local impact, and proposals must clearly demonstrate their relevance to and benefits for the St. Louis community.