Grow Challenge 2025

1 Maebelle Danforth $10,000.00
2 Steven Mills $5,000.00
3 Shirley Graham $2,500.00
4 THEODORE STEIN $1,500.00
5 Tom Bander $1,060.00

Double Your Impact: This year, all Grow Challenge gifts will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $1,000 per donor! (While funds last.)
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UPDATE: Because of the incredible generosity shown by our community, we’ve set a new stretch goal of $125,000!

Join the Challenge! Help the Young Friends meet their goal of raising $100,000+ for scientific innovation and local education.

At the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, we are working to find long-term, sustainable solutions to critical issues like hunger, malnutrition, and climate change. We’re also working to make a difference here at home by inspiring and empowering the young minds in our community.

The Grow Challenge® Week of Giving (September 22–26) is our annual peer-to-peer fundraiser led by the Young Friends. Donations to the Grow Challenge are directed to the Center’s Impact Fund. Your contribution will:

Support the Danforth Center’s STEM education programs in the community.
Fund high-impact early-stage projects and technology.
Speed our efforts to feed the world, heal the planet, and enhance the St. Louis region through plant science.

We hope you will consider donating to the Grow Challenge today.

Join us, and together, we can build a brighter future.

Shake Shack–Ladue Crossing will donate 25% of your total meal purchase to the Grow Challenge on Wednesday, September 17 (from 10:30 AM – 10 PM). Simply mention Donation Day at the register or use promo code DONATE. Order online here.
Member for a Day, from September 17 (at 8 PM) –23, will be auctioning off once-in-a-lifetime golf experiences at St. Louis Country Club and at Old Warson Country Club, with net proceeds benefiting the Grow Challenge. The St. Louis Country Club opportunity includes a celebrity guest: Barret Jackman, former St. Louis Blues NHL hockey defenseman! Place your bids here.
Peel Wood Fired Pizza–Clayton is donating 20% of your purchase to the Grow Challenge on Wednesday, September 24. Just mention the Danforth Center when placing your order or use code 2025 when ordering online. Place an online order here.

Hosted by the Danforth Center Young Friends, Party with the Plants is a fundraising celebration that gives attendees the chance to meet and socialize with Danforth Center scientists, sample drinks and hors d'oeuvres from local vendors, try out unique scientific activities, compete for raffle prizes, and much more!

This year’s theme is Plants in Paradise, so come prepared to show off your best tropical looks and get ready for some end-of-summer fun.

It's a good time for a good cause, and we hope to see you there!

Click here to get your tickets.

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