The Reinvention by Community (RBC) Grant, administered by The Opportunity Trust, is a community-led funding program designed to empower those most directly affected by educational and racial inequity. The RBC Fund shifts grantmaking power to a community-based Advisory Committee comprised of individuals who have experienced the systemic challenges the program seeks to address. The goal is to fund grassroots, creative, and sustainable solutions that address pressing challenges facing youth, with a specific focus on unhoused youth for the 2025 funding cycle.
This year’s grant opportunity invites individuals and organizations that operate programs benefiting unhoused youth in St. Louis City to apply. Programs must align with core priorities such as collaboration with local partners (especially schools), long-term impact, sustainability, and measurable outcomes. Priority will be given to proposals that serve specific St. Louis zip codes: 63106, 63107, 63112, 63113, 63115, and 63147.
The application period runs from Thursday, April 3 through Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Grants will be awarded in one of three amounts: $2,500, $5,000, or $10,000, depending on the scope and scale of the project. There are no eligibility restrictions based on tax status—nonprofits, for-profits, individuals, childcare centers, and previous grantees are all welcome to apply, provided the funding supports unhoused youth.
Selected grantees will receive more than just funding; they will also gain implementation support, access to a network of thought partners, and ongoing strategy assistance from The Opportunity Trust. Reporting requirements are flexible and determined collaboratively between grantees and the RBC Program Manager post-selection. The program emphasizes community empowerment, transparency, and equitable support throughout the grant lifecycle.
