Description

Nonprofit/Community Partners, please read: Do not use this registration page. Registration for nonprofits/community partners opens separately about a week prior to the event. To receive an invitation when your registration opens, email info@philmo.org and ask to be added to the Nonprofit List. 

Funder First Fridays

Funder First Fridays are free, confidential opportunities for community organizations to meet with 2+ funder representatives outside of a formal grantmaking process for a 35-minute technical assistance meeting.

The goal is to help community organizations build capacity and navigate the regional philanthropic sector. A First Friday meeting is a space to discuss questions confidentially and receive assistance on topics including:

✅  Program logic models and evaluation

✅  Assessment tools and data collection

✅  Community resources and introductions/connections

✅  Program enhancements and ideation

✅  Community trends and opportunities

✅  Program implementation barriers or challenges

✅ General application writing strategies 

First Fridays are NOT… 

⛔  A required or mandatory process for any regional funder

⛔  Compliance-related or formal training (this conversation doesn't replace long-term, in-depth support)

⛔  An opportunity to seek specific funding or request increased funding  (contact individual funders as they advise in their application and/or on their website)

Consider First Friday conversations as a friendly, informal chance to talk through an idea or problem. Before/after consultations, community-based organizations and funders will enjoy optional networking time over light refreshments. Water, coffee, and snacks will be provided; participants are encouraged to bring a reusable mug or water bottle. Dress for the rest of your day (casual or business casual are just fine). 

2026 SCHEDULE

May 1, 2026

June 5, 2026

October 2, 2026

November 6, 2026

December 4, 2026

First Friday will not be held in July and September due to holiday observances.

WHO & HOW?

Community-Based Partners/Nonprofits

Any community-based organization representative with a question or area of learning may register. You do not need to be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or have a current grant. 

Community partner registration is required and not yet open  (see advisory at the top of this page on how to be alerted to registration opening). When registration opens, participants will:

1. Submit your question or discussion topic;
2. Select a specific 35-minute time slot; and
3. Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes prior to that time to give yourself time to navigate parking, check-in, etc. 
   

These conversations are not an on-ramp to funding, an opportunity to discuss a specific grant program, or ongoing consulting. Participants are welcome to network before or after their session. Light refreshments will be available; you are encouraged to bring a reusable mug or water bottle. Attire is whatever is needed for the rest of your day (these meetings tend to be informal). 

Funders/Grantmakers

All staff involved in Metro St. Louis grantmaking are welcome to volunteer as co-advisors. Be prepared to arrive onsite for a Funder Huddle where you will discuss the pool of questions with fellow funder advisors and determine final assignments (this lets you opt into topics you know more about and avoid conflicts of interest). 

You and a peer funder will hold four 35-minute sessions with 10-minute breaks between. Water, coffee, and light snacks will be provided; you are encouraged to bring a reusable mug or water bottle. 

Volunteer funder advisors are asked to sign up for a full morning. Please plan to arrive at the Delmar DivINe around 8:00AM so we can begin the Funder Huddle promptly at 8:15AM. You'll be able to leave no later than Noon. You do not have to be a PhilMO Member to volunteer – the more funders we have volunteering, the more nonprofits/community-based organizations can receive assistance!

Grantmakers who want to volunteer must register in advance. Slots for community partners are limited by the number of volunteering grantmakers. 

FEEDBACK & QUESTIONS

PhilMO remains committed to learning from these conversations and strengthening relationships between funders and community organizations. All participants will be invited to complete a short, anonymous survey following their experience. 

You may also direct questions and/or share feedback directly with the PhilMO team by emailing info (at) philmo.org. We appreciate your help understanding your experience and how we might strengthen the experience both funder-advisors and community-based partners.