Gateway Foundation
Gateway Foundation is a family foundation based in Saint Louis, Missouri, dedicated to enriching life and culture in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. Established in 1986 and reincorporated in 2004, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) private independent foundation with a focus on arts, culture, and community development initiatives.
Key facts about Gateway Foundation
In short: Gateway Foundation gave $1.2M across 6 grants in 2025 (avg $206K), mostly in Missouri. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 20-6294706
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,238,058
- Grants made (2025)
- 6
- Average grant
- $206,343
- Median grant
- $73,150
- Primary geography
- Missouri (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Quick answers about Gateway Foundation
How much does Gateway Foundation give each year?
Gateway Foundation gave $1.2M across 6 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $5.4M across 15 grants.
What is Gateway Foundation's typical grant size?
Gateway Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $73,150, and its average grant was $206,343, across 6 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Gateway Foundation give grants?
Gateway Foundation gives mostly in Missouri: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Saint Louis, MO (6 grants).
Does Gateway Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on Gateway Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Gateway Foundation's largest grantees?
Gateway Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include City of St Louis ($946,972 across 2 grants), St Louis County Parks Foundation ($100,797) and Contemporary Art Museum St Louis ($88,265), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 92% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How Gateway Foundation gives
- Giving fell 33% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Next steps with Gateway Foundation
- How to evaluate Gateway Foundation as a funder
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Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$1.2M
-77.0% YoY
Grant Count
6
-60.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$206K
-42.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Gateway Foundation strives to enrich St. Louis life and culture by supporting efforts to acquire, create, and improve tangible and durable art and urban design. The foundation prioritizes projects involving the acquisition, creation, or improvement of items of a durable, physical nature that enhance the quality of life for residents of the St. Louis Metropolitan Area.
Primary funding areas include:
- Arts and culture (visual arts, architecture, performing arts, museums)
- Community and economic development
- Sustainable development and urban development
- Sports and recreation
- Maintenance and conservation of public art installations
- Mural arts programs
- Arts fellowships
- Support for non-profit arts organizations
Grantmaking
The foundation funds maintenance for Kinloch Park, conservation initiatives, mural arts programs, and arts fellowships, in addition to grants to non-profit arts organizations.
Grant Range
$103–$3,370,075
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Missouri, with primary focus on the St. Louis Metropolitan Area, including the cities of Des Peres and St. Louis.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 6 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $82,369,167
- Total revenues: $1,368,590
- Total expenses: $7,133,919
- Total liabilities: $3,000,000
- Number of employees: 1
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $88,136,123
- Total expenses: $5,258,734
- Total revenues: $3,879,770
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
69 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CITY OF ST LOUIS Saint Louis, MO | MAINTENANCE OF CITYGARDEN | $892,190 |
| ST LOUIS COUNTY PARKS FOUNDATION Saint Louis, MO | TO FUND KINLOCH PARK MAINTENANCE. | $100,797 |
| CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM ST LOUIS Saint Louis, MO | FUNDING OF 3 ARTIST AWARDS, EXHIBITION AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES | $88,265 |
| GRAND CENTER INC Saint Louis, MO | LIGHTING STRAUSS PARK | $58,035 |
| CITY OF ST LOUIS Saint Louis, MO | CITYGARDEN EXPANSION | $54,782 |
| NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Saint Louis, MO | FUND THE COST OF ELECTRICAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE IN CONNECTION WITH THE LIGHTING OF THE ARCH | $43,989 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key personnel include:
- Matthew Fischer (President/Trustee)
- Michael Fischer (Vice-President/Trustee)
- Susan Rava (Secretary/Treasurer/Trustee)
- Heather Sweeney (Administrative Operations, compensation: $50,769)
Gateway Foundation is led by Matthew Fischer, President & Trustee on every filing since 2020; 1 of 8 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Matthew Fischer
President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Heather Sweeney
Director
Administrator → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$51K (2023) → $122K (2025)
Andrew Newman
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Lisa Melandri
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Martha Fischer
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Meredith Malone
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Michael Fischer
Vice President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Michelle Ohle
Trustee
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Jennifer Sweet (2020–2023) — Administrator -
- Former: Susan Rava (2020–2023) — Secretary, Treasurer & Tte
- Former: Howard Jones (2020–2021) — Trustee -
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
Contact Information
- Address: 800 Market Street, Suite 1640, St. Louis, MO 63101-2501
- Phone: 314-241-3337
- Website: www.gateway-foundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Gateway Foundation fund?
Gateway Foundation strives to enrich St. Louis life and culture by supporting efforts to acquire, create, and improve tangible and durable art and urban design. The foundation prioritizes projects involving the acquisition, creation, or improvement of items of a durable, physical nature that enhance the quality of life for residents of the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. Primary funding areas include: • Arts and culture (visual arts, architecture, performing arts, museums) • Community and economic…
How do I apply for a grant from Gateway Foundation?
**Grant Activity (2024):** • Total giving: $4,385,590 • Number of grants: 15 • Largest grant: $3,370,075 (City of St. Louis Workforce Development Board for Citygarden 9th Street Plaza) • Grant range: $103–$3,370,075 **Program Areas:** • Insurance and maintenance of sculptures on public display • Installation costs relating to sculptures placed on public display The foundation funds maintenance for Kinloch Park, conservation initiatives, mural arts programs, and arts fellowships, in addition to …
What is Gateway Foundation's EIN?
Gateway Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-6294706. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.