The collaboration between Beyond Housing and the KPMG U.S. Foundation is a testament to the power of creating meaningful connections that blossom into something much larger. It all began with Dan Lawrence, a director based in KPMG St. Louis, who noticed how much Beyond Housing’s comprehensive approach to community development aligned with the KPMG U.S. Foundation’s focus on community vitality.
In August 2023, the Foundation made a three-year, $300,000 grant to Beyond Housing’s college and career readiness program, Viking Advantage, allowing it to expand its services in North St. Louis County. Earlier this year, KPMG employees had the opportunity to attend the Viking Advantage graduation celebration, which included more than 50 students who are going on to four-year colleges, community colleges, technical schools, or the military thanks to the program.
This August, Beyond Housing welcomed members of the KPMG U.S. Foundation Board to St. Louis so they could see both the needs of the community and the positive change Beyond Housing is driving firsthand.
“Addressing interconnected community issues and increasing access to education and opportunities are cornerstones of the KPMG U.S. Foundation’s work,” said Anita Whitehead, President and Chair of the KPMG U.S. Foundation.
The KPMG U.S. Foundation has found a strong and collaborative relationship with Beyond Housing, which recognizes that high concentrations of poverty and communities in decline do not just harm those most directly impacted but an entire region; and that for St. Louis to succeed, it’s vital to invest in its under-resourced communities.
As with all Beyond Housing programs, Viking Advantage takes a holistic approach to serving families. It offers support for post-secondary education through an Individual Development Account (IDA) matched savings program students can use for college or vocational training. It also provides college counseling, standardized test preparation, campus visits, and other services to local students who live in the 24:1 Community or attend Normandy High School.
The two full-time employees assist with every aspect of college and career preparedness, from helping students open bank accounts—a prerequisite for receiving the matched IDA funds—to walking them through the process of applying for financial aid. After seniors graduate from high school, the Viking Advantage staff continue to touch base on their progress toward their goals.
“The grant for Viking Advantage is KPMG’s first contribution to Beyond Housing, and for an international company of their size to make a donation like this is amazing,” said Chris Krehmeyer, President and CEO of Beyond Housing. “Education is one of KPMG’s key drivers, but their employees have gone above and beyond to support other facets of our work as well.”
For example, in August 2023, KPMG professionals took part in a community clean-up event at Stratford Commons, working with Beyond Housing staff to enhance the landscape. This allowed KPMG’s St Louis-based professionals to see the work of Beyond Housing first-hand.
“The KPMG U.S. Foundation and Beyond Housing are fully aligned on the need for geographically targeted, holistic, and community-owned approaches to address these issues and to help build and sustain strong communities,” said Andrew Davidson, St. Louis Managing Partner at KPMG U.S. “Beyond Housing is confident that its model can help the St. Louis region make great progress, and the KPMG U.S. Foundation is delighted to work alongside it.”
The KPMG U.S. Foundation applies a “Give. Serve. Grow.” mindset to the communities where firm employees live and work. The Foundation Gives by providing philanthropic donations and support; it Serves by empowering KPMG employees to volunteer within their communities; and it Grows by building trusted collaborations that further transform their communities.
“I extend my deepest appreciation to Beyond Housing for continuously giving our people a chance to get involved in driving positive change in the St. Louis community, and most recently, for welcoming our KPMG U.S. Foundation Board and showing us firsthand the ripple effect we can have by collaborating with organizations like theirs,” Whitehead said.
