As the pandemic spread, I was sure the philanthropic community was going to be hardest hit. And with all of the galas and events getting cancelled, the picture was bleak. But as luck and the generosity of St. Louis would have it, this has been a year of inspiration...and creativity.

Of the dozens of virtual events I attended, I was amazed by how many people were online too, the giving levels were generous to say the least, and the production value of the virtual events were first rate. My wife and I cuddled up to the computer, opened a bottle of wine, watched with astonishment to see more people online than typically at one of the galas, and was grateful to see so many people giving in ways they likely haven’t given before...and this all was happening, live, from their couches, with many guests in pajamas. I was so impressed that sometimes I wonder if we'll ever go back.

I also participated in a Family Feud-like virtual event to raise money for the JCCA. In other years I would not have considered subjecting myself to a game show designed to raise money while performing for a crowd or camera; I am a behind the scenes guy. In other years, I would always say we should go to these events, and when the night came, I wished I hadn’t committed. Inevitably, we always had fun and felt great about participating. I don’t know how much The J raised in other years, but I was amazed more than $200,000 was raised online because our friends and family agreed to be good sports, and we had a lot of fun doing it. 

I’m sure some nonprofits didn’t fare as well this past year. I am sure some closed or merged. But this year challenged us to be our best, work the hardest we ever have, and to pivot using our best thinking, creativity and resourcefulness. For the first time, I set up a small fundraiser for the American Heart Association on my birthday and it raised more money than I set out to raise. We are all getting used to Zoom, online donations, virtual galas and stepping up sometimes until it hurts.

So how can so many good trends could emerge from a time period many are trying to wish away?

Despite the death counts rising, a bitter election, stores and restaurants closing, and fear about what would come next, we were clearly all in this together. We couldn’t agree on whether to wear masks or where to get vaccinated, but people knew that unless we stepped up, no one would. And we all did.

We all learned to pivot. Nonprofits figured out online giving, galas became more creative virtual events, and nonprofit staff and volunteers suddenly became production teams. Most of the nonprofits we work with shared their stories about never slowing down as the need for their services continued to grow during the pandemic. I asked Jazz St. Louis who produced their gala, which was attended by hundreds, and I was amazed when Gene Dobbs Bradford said the staff did much of it because they just didn’t have the money to hire outside resources. If necessity is the mother of invention, everyone should be proud of what was accomplished during a year when failure was more than possible.

But for most, failure wasn’t an option as their services -- especially mental health agencies -- were needed more than ever. No one was willing to lose what it took years to build. We were turned down by some past donors who I was counting on to be sponsors of Sophisticated Giving, but just as one door closed another opened. This year’s charity guide is twice the size of the last one, and we couldn’t have done it without the people on the front and back covers, not to mention those who chose to remain nameless. I heard multiple times that “it felt really good to give during a time when it really hurt.”

My hope is that when you read this special issue you will be moved by the stories and give -- even if it’s a small amount -- because everyone here needs it. Even if you give $10 to each of the 50 nonprofits here, when all of our readers do it, we’ll help raise $12,500,000. Now that’s a goal I’d like to surpass!

Thank you for standing by us and making a difference when we needed it most. I look forward to seeing you soon at a gala, an auction, or a virtual fundraiser. When I think about what St. Louis is, I think it is generous. St. Louis is...enormously generous.

Here’s to a better year.

Craig Kaminer, Publisher

To read the digital version of Sophisticated Giving, click here.