“The Steward gift puts us much closer to meeting the matching challenge by our deadline,” states foundation executive David Atkins, “and will help ensure the sustainability of the C2FM program for years to come.”ĭavid Steward founded World Wide Technology in 1990 in St. Those dollars can only be used, however, when matched by local donations. One half of the grant is earmarked for direct aid to clergy and clergy families to assist with financial challenges ranging from student debt to housing, from scholarships to medical emergencies. In 2015, the Foundation received a $1 million grant from the Lilly Endowment to develop the C2FM program. This gift will bring vital resources to support this ongoing priority.” “We are so grateful for the generosity of both the Steward Family Foundation and the World Wide Technology Foundation. “As disciples, we share in a covenant to lift up and sustain those who answer the call to ministry,” said Bishop Farr. Philanthropists and devoted Methodists David and Thelma Steward were introduced to the C2FM initiative by Missouri Annual Conference Bishop Bob Farr who has been a long-time advocate for pastoral leadership development. Missouri’s Pastors and Congregations move from financial stress to financial As part of the Lilly Endowment Inc.’s National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders, Missouri UM Foundation’s C2FM Initiative helps Down the line, their daughters, including Kimberly, an Oscar nominated producer, should be watched for philanthropic interests.The Missouri United Methodist Foundation has received leadership gifts from the Steward Family Foundation and the World Wide Technology Foundation for the C2FM Initiative. LOOKING FORWARD: Expect the family to stick with established interests for now. The Steward Family Foundation and the World Wide Technology Foundation made a gift to the United Methodist Foundation to help “Missouri’s pastors and congregations move from financial stress to financial ministry.” They’ve also supported organizations that work for/in the black community, such as Urban League of Metro St. They’ve supported Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Ezra Ministries, among others. OTHER: The Stewards are devoted Methodists, which is reflected in some of their philanthropy. Louis Public Schools Foundation Missouri Colleges Fund and Mary Institute and Country Day School. Louis Arc, which “provides a lifetime of high-quality services, family support, and advocacy to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”ĮDUCATION & YOUTH: Grantees have included Webster University Variety, the Children's Charity Wyman Center, which aims to “empower teens from economically disadvantaged circumstances to lead successful lives and build strong communities” Westminster College St. Mary’s Health Center Foundation, Missouri Baptist Healthcare Foundation, Mercy Health Foundation, and St. HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES: The Stewards have given large sums to places like American Heart Association, Barnes Jewish Hospital Foundation, and United Way of Greater St. Louis Art Museum, Sheldon Arts Foundation, Opera Theatre of St. They have a passion for music and Steward has said: “Jazz is one of the original music forms in America and it was pioneered by persons of color-and that’s significant.” Other grantees have included St. Louis in 2018 to create the David and Thelma Steward Institute for Jazz Studies. In 1990, Steward launched World Wide Technology, a market-leading systems integrator and supply chain solutions provider, whose customers include Citi, Verizon and the federal government.ĪRTS & CULTURE: The Stewards donated $1.3 million to the University of Missouri-St. He held various senior level management positions with Wagner Electric, Missouri Pacific Railroad and Federal Express Corporation. Steward graduated with a bachelor’s in business management from Central Missouri State University. The couple recently made a $1.3 million gift to the University of Missouri-St.

Missouri serves as an important region of giving. OVERVIEW: David Steward and his wife Thelma move philanthropy through the Steward Family Foundation, which gave away around $8.3 million in a recent year. FUNDING AREAS: Arts & Culture, Health, Human Services, Education & Youth, Religious

Thelma steward