ST. LOUIS TORNADO EMERGENCY
Direct Cash
Assistance Initiative
Supporting North St. Louis Families Displaced by the May 2025 Tornado.
Invest STL is a 501(c)3. EIN 87-4704695. All contributions to The Northside Resilience Fund are tax deductible.
The application is no longer live, as of September 30, 2025.
Photo credit: Lance Thurman
- NORTHSIDE RESILIENCE FUND – Phase ONE: $4 MILLION GOAL 100%
The Northside Resilience Fund Direct Cash Assistance Initiative is a phase-one response to providing families the financial flexibility needed to begin the path to recovery on their terms. Please stay tuned for additional information about phase two.
OUR ASK:
We seek $4 million to fund direct, unrestricted cash assistance to households significantly impacted by the tornado.
The Northside Resilience Fund Direct Cash Assistance Initiative is a phase-one response providing families the financial flexibility needed to begin the path to recovery.
We are asking local and national funders, corporations and individuals to partner with us to meet this critical moment with urgency and meaningful commitment.
OUR GOAL
Provide $3,000 in direct cash assistance to at least 1,300 households most affected by the tornado to support their immediate and emerging needs.
FOCUS AREAS
North St. Louis neighborhoods most impacted by the tornado: Academy, College Hill, Fairground, Fountain Park, Greater Ville, Hamilton Heights, JeffVanderLou, Kingsway East, Kingsway West, Lewis Place, Mark Twain, North Riverfront, O’Fallon, Penrose, The Ville, Vandeventer, Visitation Park, Wells-Goodfellow, and West End.
ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS
Renters or homeowners whose homes were declared to have “severe structural damage” (received the red sticker), “moderate structural damage” (received the yellow sticker), or no sticker (but experienced significant damage) from St. Louis City’s Building Division.
Note: Addresses with a “yellow sticker” will undergo further review to assess documented damage and need. Having a “yellow sticker” does not guarantee approval.
USE OF FUNDS
The funds are intended to address urgent, temporary needs that families have. The funds are unrestricted so families can address their specific needs as they begin to recover.
WHY INVEST WITH US
Join us as we support our Northside St. Louis neighbors as they recover, rebuild, and restore.
Credibility +
Infrastructure
The Fund will serve as a collaborative pool of funds from private entities for direct cash assistance for households most impacted by the tornado. St. Louis-based nonprofit, Invest STL will hold, manage, and report on fund expenditures.
ADMINISTERED BY:
Invest STL, a trusted fund manager with a $6M annual operating budget; experience in holding and dispensing funds; and deep relationships with community members, key partners, and funders.
Verification process:
Cross-referenced with City of St. Louis damage assessments; requires proof of identity, residency, and impact.
Collaborators Include:
Action St. Louis, Boniface Foundation, Deaconess Foundation, Franciscan Sisters of Mary, James S. McDonnell Foundation, Missouri Foundation for Health, Rio Vista Foundation, Sow Joy Peoples Fund, Wells Fargo, and others.
















DONATE DIRECTLY TO THE NORTHSIDE RESILIENCE FUND
Invest STL is a 501(c)3. EIN 87-4704695. All contributions to The Northside Resilience Fund are tax deductible.
For contributions from DAFs, please direct the grant to Invest STL with grant purpose of The Northside Resilience Fund.
contact Dara Eskridge, CEO
Dara Eskridge, CEO, Invest STL
deskridge@investstl.org | 314-399-8812
DOWNLOAD OUR HANDOUT
Learn more about this initiative and help spread the word.
North St. Louis City households approved
(As of October 20, 2025)
DOLLARS DISTRIBUTED OR IN THE PROCESS OF DISTRIBUTION TO APPROVED HOUSEHOLDS
(As of October 20, 2025)