Our Mission
Imagine With A Mission® (IWAM) connects people and communities to the resources and relationships needed to break hardship cycles, build stability and reshape what’s possible.
In North St. Louis and across the region, families often face fractured support and services that don’t add up to real progress. We help close those gaps.
"Partnering with IWAM allows Grace Ministries STL to expand our reach, strengthen our impact, and better serve our community. By combining resources and expertise, we’ve created stronger programs, reduced duplication of efforts, and opened up more opportunities for those we serve. Together we're sparking innovation, building trust, and making real change!"
The Three Stages of Transformation
10 Community Pillars
- Housing
- Food
- Health & Wellness
- Transportation
- Public Safety
- Education
- Workforce Development
- Financial Empowerment
- Small Business Development
- Economical Development
Our Approach
At Imagine with a Mission®, we build change in partnership with the people and communities we serve. Progress takes trust, shared purpose, and the right people around the table — which is why we don’t try to do everything ourselves.
We work alongside carefully selected partners — organizations that demonstrate excellence in their field, operate with integrity, and are deeply committed to the neighborhoods they serve.
Our role is to help define a holistic vision for stronger, more resilient communities. We identify the partners who can bring that vision to life, ensure their efforts are aligned, and provide the support they need to succeed — from funding to structural backing.
We stay close enough to solve problems together, and step back when it’s time to let their expertise lead.
Strong partnerships: We link trusted organizations that share our values and deliver real results.
Cross-sector collaboration: We connect partners across essential areas — from health and safety to learning and livelihoods — to meet people where they are.
Support that sticks: We fund and back our partners with the structure they need to thrive.
IWAM Community Partner Framework
We identify Community Partners who provide expert services within these areas and fund them through contractual means to ensure comprehensive, sustained impact:
Housing
Food
Health & Wellness
Transportation
Public Safety
Education
Workforce Development
Financial Empowerment
Small Business Development
Economic Development
IWAM has a rigorous process to select Community Partners who meet the needs within each Community Pillar.
Our Community Partner vetting process includes:
1. An intake application process where the potential partner provides a business plan, resume(s), financial records, proof of insurance, and other supporting documentation to ensure the partner is aligned with IWAM’s values and purpose.
2. A thorough legal search on the founder(s) and the organization is conducted by IWAM’s attorney.
3. A scheduled interview with the potential partner’s organizational leadership, members of IWAM’s Board of Directors and leadership, and IWAM’s attorney.
4. If the organization meets specific criteria, the funding amount is determined, a contract is developed, and the IWAM Board of Directors finalizes the approval.
5. A contract is presented to the approved Community Partner.
6. Each Community Partner is required to submit monthly documentation showing the use of the funds received from IWAM.
What does our mission look like in the real world?
Get to know the people, partners, and programs bringing our vision to life — and see how this work is unfolding across North St. Louis.