As there is such a tussle coming about the Depot, I wondered — what is the role of the Depot Foundation in keeping the Depot afloat?

The Depot Foundation is dedicated to preserving the St. Louis County Depot as a vibrant and welcoming forum for the arts, culture and history through managing and growing a permanent endowment.

In 2021-22, the Depot Foundation gave out $398,860 in grants; roughly $300,000 of that amount supported programming. Less than $100,000 funded remodeling of spaces to suit performance and display.

In 2022-23, the Depot Foundation gave out $391,460, of which $250,000, more or less, was used for remodeling spaces to suit performance and display.

As the county looks at six-figure costs to keep an elevator running in the building, I wonder whether the Depot Foundation should look, for the next few years, to devoting its funds to keeping the lights on.

I know some donations will be restricted, given by rich people who prefer programming to everyday maintenance, but surely not all funds are restricted that way.

Can anyone send some ideas?