Estelle Brabant Powers Endowment Fund

The Alliance Française de St. Louis is proud to introduce the Estelle Brabant Powers Endowment Fund, established to honor our founder and her remarkable contributions to the St. Louis community. This endowment ensures a lasting legacy of excellence in teaching, with all funds directly supporting the Estelle Brabant Powers Excellence in Teaching Award—a prestigious honor recognizing outstanding French educators within our organization.

About Estelle Brabant Powers

In 1964, Estelle Brabant Powers laid the foundation for what would become the premier French language and Francophone cultural center in St. Louis. Inspired by her desire for her seven children to learn French, Estelle founded the Alliance Française de St. Louis school, sparking a legacy of language education and cultural appreciation. From its humble beginnings atop the Chase-Park Plaza Hotel during the bicentennial celebration of St. Louis, the Alliance Française de St. Louis has grown to impact tens of thousands of students and host countless cultural events over six decades.

The Purpose of the Fund

Dr. Myriam Bourg receiving the first Estelle Powers Excellence in Teaching Award in October 2024, with AFSTL President, Jeffrey Boone

The Estelle Brabant Powers Endowment Fund has been established with the goal of maintaining and investing the principal contributions to perpetuate excellence in teaching. The fund directly supports the Estelle Brabant Powers Excellence in Teaching Award, which celebrates the dedication, innovation, and exceptional skill of our French educators. By donating, you help ensure that the Alliance Française de St. Louis continues to foster a love for the French language and culture through world-class teaching.

Our Mission and Impact

Today, the Alliance Française de St. Louis thrives with:

  • Over 20 passionate teachers dedicated to French language instruction.

  • 120 hours of classes per week, tailored to students of all ages and levels.

  • More than 400 actively enrolled students learning French and exploring Francophone cultures.

  • A rich cultural program of events, many offered free to members, showcasing the diversity of la Francophonie.

Your support of the Estelle Brabant Powers Endowment Fund enables us to continue this vital work for generations to come.

Join Us in Supporting Excellence

Make a lasting impact by contributing to the Estelle Brabant Powers Endowment Fund. Your gift will directly support the educators who inspire, challenge, and guide our students in their journey to master the French language and embrace Francophone culture.

Together, we can ensure that the Alliance Française de St. Louis remains a beacon of French language education and cultural connection in our community.

Merci beaucoup for your generosity and support!

By donating, you will also be publicly thanked in our Annual Giving Honor Roll, which we update annually (unless you wish to remain anonymous).