As part of Empower Missouri’s momentous 125th Anniversary celebrations, we are thrilled to announce our new Charles Ellwood Graduate Fellowship program, named for one of Empower Missouri’s founders and earliest Presidents. Ellwood dedicated his life and work to addressing social problems. He advocated for an ethical approach to sociology and taught his students to do...Lee mas

The Charles Ellwood Graduate Fellowship program, named for one of Empower Missouri’s founders and earliest Presidents, will offer 1-2 recent graduates a fully immersive, year-long, paid fellowship to gain valuable experience in policy research, community education and organizing, and advocacy communications.  KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Research & Policy Support Conduct research on nonprofit organizations, legislative issues, and...Lee mas

House Bill 2256 and House Bill 2637 would drastically increase minimum prison terms in our state, keeping people behind bars for significantly longer. Research shows that this will increase costs with no reduction in crime. Please use this form to urge the members of the Missouri House Judiciary Committee to vote no on expanding prison sentences.Lee mas

House Bill 1616 establishes an oversight body for Missouri prisons that is independent, responsible to incarcerated people and their families, and fully staffed and funded. This bill will be heard in the House Corrections and Public Institutions Committee next week, and our legislators need to hear that Missourians want accountability and transparency for the Department...Lee mas

A sample of programs from Empower’s annual conference throughout the years. This week is a big one for Empower Missouri: the start of another legislative session and the start of our 125th Anniversary year. From our origins as a conference of 41 people in January of 1901 (the Missouri Conference on Charities and Corrections), through...Lee mas

On Thursday, July 3rd, the House of Representatives passed the reconciliation bill with a 218-214 vote. President Donald Trump is expected to sign the bill into law tomorrow, July 4th. Empower Missouri condemns the passage of this bill, which will threaten healthcare coverage and food assistance for thousands of Missourians, all while providing huge tax...Lee mas

Position Title: Community Representative Position Summary: The Missouri Rural Food Access Partnership (MRFAP) seeks passionate and engaged community members to serve as Community Representatives on our advisory board.This role offers a meaningful opportunity to advocate for improved nutrition security inrural Missouri, share local perspectives, and help shape initiatives that strengthen thestate’s food systems.Our goal is...Lee mas

Empower Missouri is seeking dedicated leaders who are deeply committed to our work to change laws and policies that perpetuate cycles of poverty. Applications are now open for our 2025-2026 Board of Directors. Board meetings are mostly held virtually, with occasional in-person events, so this opportunity is a good fit for someone located anywhere in...Lee mas