In The News-Philanthropy

Sign of the Arrow is a non-profit gift and needlepoint boutique that has donated more than $4.1 million to local charities since its founding in 1966 by members of the St. Louis Alumnae Club of Pi Beta Phi, a national fraternity for women, to continue the Pi Beta Phi tradition of providing philanthropic support to the community. It is staffed primarily by Pi Beta Phi alumnae and community volunteers. 

Sign of the Arrow volunteers and Pi Beta Phi alumnae sponsor local charities to receive grants funded from the shop’s profits. Each summer the sponsored agencies apply for grants to fund a specific project or program. In the early fall the sponsored agencies are reviewed by a Philanthropy committee that allocates each year’s available funds. Grants are awarded in the fall at a reception for the agency representatives, sponsors, shop volunteers and Pi Beta Phi alumnae.

Applications for sponsoring an agency for grant funding are available June 1, 2026 and due by August 3, 2026. Applications will be available for pick up at the Shop or by email request.
Sponsor guidelines are:

• Pi Beta Phi Alumna who has paid dues for the prior fiscal year
• Sign of the Arrow volunteer with > 1 year of volunteering
• Shop staff with > 1 year of employment

Sponsors may submit only one Agency Application per year, and there may be only one sponsor per agency. Members of the Philanthropy Committee may not sponsor an agency. Eligible agencies are local non-profit organizations requesting funding for a specific project. Funding is not available for capital campaigns or general operating funds. Agencies may only receive funding three (3) times during any five-year period.

There will be detailed instructions with each packet for the sponsor and for the agency.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions, 
Ann F. Babington, 314.580.7775, annbabington@gmail.com 
Michelle Lilly, 704.277.2116, dlilly5005@aol.com  
Philanthropy Committee Co-Chairs

 

Philanthropy Reception – On October 16th 2025, Sign of the Arrow held its annual Philanthropy reception for sponsors, grantees, volunteers, staff and Pi Phi alumnae. 17 agencies received funds this year. See who and their websites below.

 

2025 Philanthropy Sponsors and Recipients

• Books for STL Kids
• Circle of Concern
• Dance Moves STL
• Epworth Children & Family Services
• Healing Action Network
• International Institute
• Kindness Begins with Me
• Lifewise Stl
• Pathways to Independence
• Pi Beta Phi Foundation
• Ready Readers 
• St. Louis Alumnae Panhellenic Association
• St. Louis Catholic Academy
• Seed St. Louis
• Sneakers with Soul
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul
• Special Education Foundation

 

Hot beverage cozies made by local refugee women from donated materials are available in the shop.

Tornado collection – St. Louis was hit heavily by a tornado in May of this year. As part of the response, Sign of the Arrow took up a collection of needed items of clothing in coordination with LifewiseStl.