Edward Jones Raises $673,382 for St. Louis Arts and Education Council

The Arts and Education Council has announced the associates and principals of Edward Jones have raised $673,382 through its 2012 Workplace Giving Campaign, PARTICIPATE – Keep Art Happening, to support arts and arts education organizations throughout the 16-county, bi-state St. Louis area. The campaign at Edward Jones is the largest and most successful Workplace Giving Campaign in A&E's history with 2,857 of the firm's associates and partners, representing 73% of its workforce, contributing to this year's effort.

Edward Jones has consistently conducted A&E's largest Workplace Giving Campaign for many years. A long-time supporter of the St. Louis arts community, Edward Jones has donated more than $5.5 million to the Arts and Education Council since 1978 with more than $3.3 million coming from its workplace giving efforts. Edward Jones substantially increased its 2012 giving by donating $30,382 more than was raised in 2011. An additional campaign among the firm's St. Louis-area branch offices will be held in the fall of 2012.

Edward Jones has a long history of support for the Arts and Education Council, beginning with former Managing Partner John Bachmann, who chaired A&E's board from 1994 through 1996. Edward Jones Principals Jim Krekeler and Eric Koestner are both members of the Arts and Education Council's board of directors. Edward Jones Principal Bob Ciapciak and Krekeler are former A&E board chairs.

This year's campaign management team included Principal Chair Dave Mayo and Associates Co-chairs Brian Mathus and Deanna Taylor. Their dedication and creative thinking pushed this year's results far ahead of previous years. Mayo, Mathus and Taylor led a team of 35 Edward Jones associates who coordinated the campaign that was launched on May 11 with events on Edward Jones' campuses. Edward Jones hosted two leadership-giving receptions prior to the campaign with entertainment provided by members of the Jazz St. Louis Jazz All-Stars, a group of talented high school musicians that receives funding from A&E.

Prior to the campaign's official kickoff, Rick Dildine, executive director of the Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, and Timothy O'Leary, general director of the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, spoke to Edward Jones associates about how A&E funding is critical to the success of their organizations.

Kickoff events included remarks by A&E President Cynthia Prost and Edward Jones Managing Partner Jim Weddle. An outstanding array of performers from several of A&E's grantee organizations also participated including Circus Flora, featuring the St. Louis Arches; Center of Creative Arts (COCA), featuring COCAdance; Dances of India; Jazz St. Louis, featuring Gene Dobbs Bradford and the Blues Inquisition and a performance by Brian Owens, St. Louis Symphony community programs coordinator, program manager of the IN UNISON choir and lead singer of the 571st Air National Guard band, Sidewinder. Kickoff attendees also enjoyed a short scene from Cruel to Be Kind, an anti-bullying initiative that is a key component of Shakespeare Festival St. Louis' education programs, introduced by Christopher Limber, education director. Edward Jones associates tapped into their own artistic creativity by hosting a flash mob designed to inspire giving to A&E inside a company cafeteria along with other activities throughout the two-week campaign.

"Edward Jones associates and principals recognize that strength in arts and arts education enhances a region's economic environment and greatly enriches lives," said Cynthia A. Prost, president of the Arts and Education Council. "Our friends at Edward Jones demonstrate incredible generosity and enthusiasm for the Arts and Education Council's annual campaign. Their efforts ultimately strengthen the neighborhoods and communities where they conduct business. By supporting the St. Louis arts community, Edwards Jones helps ensure the area's legacy of artistic excellence and provides children and adults with opportunities to explore and experience exceptional art and culture throughout the region."

Edward Jones views the Workplace Giving Campaign as not only a great way to support local arts and arts education organizations, but also as an opportunity to cultivate leadership among its employees. Campaign chairs rotate from year to year and associates serve on events, prizes and communications committees. These leadership opportunities offer team members responsibility for multiple tasks. Committee assignments enable associates to grow professionally and showcase their leadership skills to their leaders – playing a major role in the larger corporate goals for professional development and training. The Edward Jones planning committee consists of 35 associates and an additional 250 who serve as team captains to help conduct the campaign each year.

"Serving on the Workplace Giving Campaign Committee provides many of our associates a unique opportunity to develop skills and competencies outside of their day-to-day responsibilities with the firm," said Associate Co-Chair Brian Mathus. It's rewarding to see these teams come together every year, build detailed plans for the campaign, secure resources to make all the activities happen, and then be able to see real results in the form of associate participation and contributions. Our committee members know they are making a difference, and they're learning and having fun in the process."

The Arts and Education Council has been a leader in the local arts scene since it was founded in 1963. In the past 49 years, A&E has raised and distributed more than $100 million to arts and arts education organizations throughout the 16-county, bi-state St. Louis region. Each year, Arts and Education Council grants help provide millions of experiences in music, theater, dance, film, literary arts, visual arts and outreach programs for children and adults living in urban, suburban and rural areas. Many A&E-supported programs operate in underserved communities and serve at-risk youth.

Revenue generated from Workplace Giving Campaigns accounts for one-third of A&E's budget and supports established institutions such as the St. Louis Symphony, the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and the Sheldon Arts Foundation as well as community-based groups such as Metro Theater Company, African Musical Arts and Springboard. The Arts and Education Council also partners with local corporations in named grant opportunities that provide specific funding. These partnerships include the Maritz Arts and Education Fund for Teachers, the Boeing Arts and Education Collaborative Grant Program, the Monsanto Rural Community Arts Education Program and the PNC Foundation Project Grant Program.

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