Des Lee Fellowship
About Des Lee
E. Desmond Lee is a community and philanthropic leader who made this fellowship program possible through a generous donation to United Way.
Des presided over the Lee-Rowan Co., a successful St. Louis-based company that was purchased by Newell Co. in 1993. His relationship with his employees was exemplary and continues to serve as a benchmark of labor-management relations.
After selling Lee-Rowan, Des committed his time, energy and dollars to making St. Louis a national example of how an entire community can work together to improve the life of each community member.
Des passed away on January 12, 2010 at the age of 92.
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The Des Lee Fellowship is designed to cultivate the next generation of philanthropists.
Philanthropist E. Desmond Lee recognized the remarkable ability of young people to initiate and create positive, long-term change. He approached United Way of Greater St. Louis about developing a program to better engage college students and to equip them with knowledge and skills to enable them to make a positive impact in the greater St. Louis region. Accompanying his vision was a generous gift to make it a reality.
Partnering with Coro Leadership Center - St. Louis, a regional expert in leadership development, United Way is working to create informed community leaders that give their time, talent and dollars to help people in need.
The experience
In the Des Lee Fellowship, college juniors combine a 10-week summer internship with a year-long commitment to leadership and community service. The program prepares students to foster community engagement, philanthropy and volunteerism, as well as lead others in making meaningful change in their communities.
INTERNSHIP
Fellows gain professional experience through internship placements tailored to their academic concentrations and interests. Each internship is designed to enhance and challenge Fellows’ knowledge and skills.
STEWARDSHIP
Fellows become part of a network of more than 400 community volunteers who serve as the eyes and ears of more than 200,000 United Way contributors from across our region. As an allocations panelist, Fellows help determine how to award millions of dollars to nonprofit agencies to best help people in our community.
LEADERSHIP
Fellows participate in rigorous training seminars in which they are introduced to the unique tools of Coro and become empowered to think more clearly and effectively. In this unique setting, Fellows take responsibility for increasing each other's effectiveness as leaders by providing constructive feedback, evaluation and encouragement.
IMPACT
Fellows are introduced to all aspects of the philanthropic arena, preparing them to translate their ideals into action for improving their own communities and beyond. As part of the experience, Fellows are charged with completing a project to help meet the needs of the greater St. Louis community.