A Red Circle

What is the core mission of your organization?To promote community betterment in North County through a racial equity lens.

How do you measure impact and success in your programs?We track goals and collect data, which we use to craft compelling stories that demonstrate our impact to funders.

What are your biggest fundraising or outreach challenges?A Red Circle’s top fundraising and outreach challenges include reduced government funding, limited visibility beyond North County, building long-term donor relationships, and balancing outreach with a small, hands-on team.

How do you build long-term relationships with donors and supporters?A Red Circle builds lasting donor relationships through impactful storytelling, consistent updates, transparency, personal gratitude, and inviting supporters to see their impact firsthand.

What trends are influencing the nonprofit world today? Key trends shaping the nonprofit world include:

Diversifying funding beyond government grants

Using data to show impact

Prioritizing equity and inclusion

Expanding digital engagement

Building cross-sector partnerships

Focusing on staff wellness and burnout prevention

Can you share a story that shows your mission in action? Growing Change at Christ Our Redeemer AME Church

This spring, A Red Circle partnered with Christ Our Redeemer AME Church to help build a garden in the backyard of the church parsonage. The goal was to create a space where Sunday School children could learn about growing food, nutrition, and caring for the Earth.

While Seed St. Louis was unable to provide installation this year, A Red Circle stepped in to lead the effort. We reduced staff time and costs, relying on our team and community volunteers to construct the beds and supply materials. Eric, one of our garden experts, worked hands-on with the children, teaching them how to plant seeds and understand the growing process.

This project not only brought fresh produce closer to the church community but also served as a hands-on educational opportunity for the youth—empowering them with knowledge, confidence, and a sense of ownership over their food.

It’s a powerful example of our mission in action: building sustainable, healthy communities through education, advocacy, and access—one garden at a time.

What keeps you motivated in this work?What keeps Erica Williams motivated is her deep love for North St. Louis County and her unwavering commitment to racial and economic justice. She’s driven by the belief that every community deserves access to healthy food, quality education, and economic opportunity. Seeing real change—like children learning to garden or families accessing fresh produce—fuels her passion and reminds her that this work matters.