We are Hope Ignites St. Louis
Hope Ignites St. Louis helps motivated middle and high school students rise above disadvantaged backgrounds. Our goal is to graduate young people who are physically, emotionally, and academically prepared for post-secondary education and productive life, breaking barriers so they can become community-minded leaders.
Hope Ignites St. Louis firmly believes that young people have the power to overcome adversity, realize their potential, and help transform our world. They create these successes when we remove obstacles, support and believe in them, and provide environments and opportunities that build on their strengths.
Hope Ignites St. Louis is a proud member of the Hope Ignites Network. Our Network Headquarters, located in St. Louis, Missouri, connects, provides leadership to, and offers signature college-preparatory programming to affiliates across the nation, Mexico, and Guatemala. Each affiliate is independently incorporated, governed by its own board of directors, and responsible for its own fundraising. Affiliation and services agreements link the Network to ensure mission and brand fidelity, quality operations, maximum functional capacity, and consistency in training, programmatic standards, and best practices.
OUR MISSION
To nurture and guide motivated young people in need to become well-educated, career-ready men and women for others.
OUR DNA
These are the fundamental and distinctive characteristics of our organization.
Academic Focus
We believe in the transformative power of education to develop lifelong learners.
Service and Community Engagement
We believe in the Jesuit-inspired, values-centered hallmark of building “persons for others.”
Family-like Settings to Create a Sense of Belonging
We believe youth derive their energy and sustenance from exposure to nurturing environments.
Long-Term and Comprehensive Commitment
We believe an enduring relationship with youth holds the most promise for attaining positive outcomes.
Faith-Based Values
We believe that a loving God cares about the life of every individual and we manifest this belief.
Voluntary Participant Commitment
We believe in the motivational power of self-selection into the Hope Ignites program.
LOCAL IMPACT
Since 1977, Hope Ignites St. Louis has been helping scholars rise up from disadvantaged backgrounds and strive for more. Hope Ignites St. Louis serves youth who want to go to college and create successful futures for themselves. Our scholars have joined our program to receive support on their journey to college and beyond.
Our story doesn’t end with our outcome numbers, though they are phenomenal. There isn’t a number that is large enough to represent the character, ambition, courage and integrity of our young men and women.
See how Hope Ignites is prioritizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
HISTORY
Hope Ignites Founded
Began Serving Girls
Growing
Hope Prep Academy
Hope Builds
40th Anniversary
Academy Pathway Relaunch
LEADERSHIP
Hope Ignites St. Louis is made up of incredible people. Our leadership team and Board of Directors ensure mission fidelity, financial stewardship, and transparency. We are committed to continuous learning, effective programming, diversity, inclusion, and improvement through impact evaluation and innovation.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Andrea Barry
Deloitte
VICE PRESIDENT
Brian Branca
Dot Family Holdings
TREASURER
Mark F. Winker
UMB
Doug Bauche
Enterprise Bank & Trust
Brian Bernert
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Jamie Bruce
United Healthcare Community Plan of Missouri
Adam Castellano
Steve’s Auto Repair
Jill Collins
EY
Brian Delaney
Graybar
Lisa A. Flavin
Emerson
Tom Harmon
Commerce Bank
James C. Hill, Jr.
City of St. Louis – Mayor’s Office
Chuck Hitchcock
American Metal Supply Co., Inc.
Curtis Hoette
RubinBrown LLP
J. Michael Keller
Independence Center (retired)
Jackie Martin
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Shelly McNutt
Community Volunteer
Brandan P. Mueller
Husch Blackwell
Jennifer A. Noakes
Granules Consumer Health, Inc
Kristin Ostby de Barillas
Hope Ignites Network Headquarters
Lani Sabol
World Wide Technology
Jake Schlater
Dot Foods
Board Fellows
Britt Wade
STEWARDSHIP
We pledge to ensure your investment has the impact that it merits. As a member of the Hope Ignites Network, we operate under the guidance of our Hope Ignites Performance Management Tool. Hope Ignites leaders continue to enhance our Performance Management Tool, utilizing peer accountability and support across our eighteen affiliates and the International Headquarters.
This consistent evaluation allows us to assess our data-centric, outcomes-oriented programming. Our ability to generate real-time data gives us the opportunity to provide maximum transparency to our stakeholders.
For more information about our Performance Management Tool, visit this page. View our financial information and our Annual Report by clicking the links below.
Additionally, Hope Ignites St. Louis adheres to AFP’s Donor Bill of Rights.
Hope Ignites and all 14 affiliates undergo an annual audit. This transparency enables us to demonstrate our sound stewardship of the resources invested by our generous donors.
The audited financial statements and the 990s of Hope Ignites St. Louis can be found below:
HERE IS HOW YOU CAN PROVIDE HOPE
HERE IS HOW YOU CAN PROVIDE HOPE