James S. McDonnell Foundation

**About JSMF** **Investing in impactful work has always been central to the JSMF story.** JSMF is supporting four essential Areas of Focus in the St. Louis region. These Areas of Focus are **deeply interconnected**, **mutually reinforcing**, and offer a chance to **collaboratively build great momentum** for positive change. **Workforce** JSMF increases opportunity for the region’s workforce and enhances workforce systems by supporting efforts in the region that: - Strengthen high-quality early childcare and education to both prepare the future workforce and address barriers the current workforce faces. - Enhance wraparound supports for students and job seekers to build awareness, readiness, and access to quality jobs. - Strengthen connections between job seekers, employers, and education and training organizations. **Small and Midsize Businesses** JSMF supports small and midsize businesses to scale through: - Increased access to capital and additional support for small and midsize businesses. - Strengthened connections between small and midsize businesses, anchor institutions, financial institutions, and corporations to drive new business opportunities. **Wealth Building and Protection** JSMF supports efforts to help individuals and communities build and protect wealth such as: - Providing access to financial products and services that enable individuals and families to build wealth. - Building capacity within community-based organizations that support individuals and families to build wealth. - Attracting new investment — including federal, state, national philanthropic, and other private capital — to the region. **Civic Infrastructure** JSMF strengthens regional leadership capacity and civic infrastructure by: - Supporting current and future leaders to impact policy and actions across sectors. - Enabling shared knowledge development and learning. - Helping develop a shared narrative about our region and our collective destiny. - Strengthening coalition and collaboration capacity.