Mission Realty Advisors News
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In The News
Mission Realty Advisors is proud to announce that board member Jessica Gaines is one of six recipients of the Missouri Foundation for Health’s Spark Prize this year, an award the foundation launched last year to recognize and invest in locals leading innovative work to improve health and well-being in the state. Jessica founded Kendall Developments and is the chief construction officer of Dream Builders 4 Equity in St. Louis. The prize comes with $200,000 in unrestricted funding for each individual awardee, designed to further the work they’re pursuing in their communities over the long term. This article in St. Louis Magazine provides more information. Spark Prize winners include 4 St. Louisans improving health and well being in Missouri | St. Louis Magazine
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
MRA Contact
Pete Kinsella, Executive Director
pkinsella@missionrealtyadvisors.org
FHLB Des Moines Contact
Rachel Wegmann, Public Relations Manager
515.412.2357
Mission Realty Advisors receives $30,000 grant from Parkside Financial Bank & Trust and FHLB Des Moines through the Member Impact Fund
Grant program helps strengthen communities, expand opportunities and support local needs
Saint Louis, Mo., August 12, 2026 — Mission Realty Advisors today announced that it has been awarded $30,000 from Parkside Financial Bank & Trust and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines or Bank). The funding was made possible through the Member Impact Fund, a matching grant program designed to amplify the community engagement of FHLB Des Moines member institutions that support local housing, business, and economic needs.
In Missouri, 956 applications received funding through partnerships with 174 member institutions. FHLB Des Moines matched $3 for every $1 contributed by a member institution, resulting in $6.5 million from members and $19.4 million awarded by FHLB Des Moines.
“The Member Impact Fund is designed to help our members champion organizations like Mission Realty Advisors that make a real difference in their communities,” said Kris Williams, president and CEO of FHLB Des Moines. “By partnering with our members, we’re able to multiply resources and support their vital work as they continue to strengthen opportunities for the people they serve.”
Since its launch in 2023, the Member Impact Fund has provided more than $106 million in grants from FHLB Des Moines, generating over $144 million in combined support for affordable housing and community development. Notably, every eligible application submitted to the program has received funding, reflecting the Bank’s strong commitment to partnership and impact.
About Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines is deeply committed to strengthening communities, serving 13 states and three U.S Pacific territories as a member-owned cooperative. We work together with over 1,200 member institutions to support affordable housing, economic development and community improvement.
FHLB Des Moines is one of 11 regional Banks that make up the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Members include community and commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, thrifts and community development financial institutions. FHLB Des Moines is wholly owned by its members and receives no taxpayer funding. For additional information about FHLB Des Moines, please visit www.fhlbdm.com.
About Mission Realty Advisors
Mission Realty Advisors is a nonprofit-focused real estate advisory organization that provides real estate expertise and guidance to help nonprofit organizations make informed decisions about their properties, facilities and development opportunities. MRA works alongside nonprofit and community partners to help strengthen organizations and the communities they serve.
St Louis Today – July 24, 2026
Peter Kinsella, the executive director of Mission Realty Advisors, left, and John Ross, chief executive officer and founding and managing partner of Summit Realty Group, pose for a portrait on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Clayton.
After years of bringing commercial real estate projects to fruition, the leaders behind Clayton-based Summit Real Estate Group saw an avenue to take those skills to the nonprofit world.
The real estate firm launched Mission Realty Advisors in 2023 to provide real estate services — anything from whether to buy or sell, budgeting for a project or lease negotiations, among other options — to nonprofits that typically cannot afford that work or whose mission aligns with “lifting up” St. Louis, executives said.
One of the organization’s most prominent projects was R&R Marketplace in Dellwood. The project involved the conversion of a vacant grocery store into a community hub offering healthcare, early childhood education, banking and other services.
Summit’s leaders, CEO John Ross, founding partner Scott “Murph” Reese and Director Jack Ross, sit on the Mission board of directors, along with other real estate experts. Peter Kinsella, a former executive with Summit, leads Mission Realty Advisors as its executive director.
The Post-Dispatch and Peter Kinsella had a recent conversation over email. The following are excerpts of that conversation, edited for length and clarity.
What gaps in the market does your organization fill?
The executive director of most nonprofits has limited real estate expertise and often doesn’t know here to find needed resources. During their tenure they may buy a building once, sell a building once, and/or build a building only once. We help them gain the knowledge they and their board need to make intelligent, experienced-based real estate decisions.
What has the learning curve been like for clients?
For most nonprofit clients the “language” and the processes associated with real estate are often foreign, causing indecision or lengthy delays in decision-making. We find that they are receptive and excited when they know they have a trusted adviser assisting them. We are able to identify issues, explain challenges, offer solutions and otherwise accelerate their learning curve as they determine what they need and what they can afford.
How can real estate impact nonprofits and their missions?
The cost of real estate to a nonprofit is typically one of the two largest line items in its budget, behind only payroll. So, managing real estate needs is both functionally and financially vital to success. Virtually all nonprofits occupy space and it is often a critical component to them being able to achieve their missions. Nonprofits are identified by their neighborhood location, the convenience they offer and the services they are able to provide because of the space they occupy. Think of daycare, a school or a healthcare organization. They are local, familiar — and they are integral to the community.
How do you encourage real estate investment that doesn’t cause neighborhood displacement?
We focus less on real estate investment and more on helping nonprofits function more effectively and more efficiently. Displacement is an issue for the community to assess. We listen to the clients we serve in order to understand the purpose behind their work, and what they feel they need in order to be most impactful. They are local community-based organizations, which puts them in the best position to determine what is needed. Our role is to help them understand how to deliver on those needs and what facilities might be required in order to accomplish that.
What kind of hurdles make it hard to improve struggling neighborhoods?
There are any number of hurdles faced by struggling neighborhoods ranging from a lack of leadership, lack of resources, inertia resulting from historic disinvestment and, typically, a lack of knowing how to proceed. We can help overcome these hurdles by providing experience and expertise, access to resources and by helping to define a path forward.
What warning signs signal that a neighborhood may be at risk of deeper decline?
A loss of long-time residents who often represent stability in a neighborhood. An increase in the number of vacant properties, less focus on property upkeep, a lack of important infrastructure — like public transportation, public schools — and access to goods and services.
How do you balance the financial realities that come with real estate with the lofty missions inherent to nonprofits?
Fundamental to this question is that nonprofits need to remember that they are, in fact, running a business. In order to be sustainable, they need to understand how to balance income and expense. Real estate is an important aspect of nonprofit identity and often is integral to the mission, making it essential for nonprofits to understand and plan for the cost of ownership or leasing, and operations.
Mission Realty Advisors is pleased to welcome Chantal Ogbeifun, a rising senior at Washington University in St. Louis, through The Pershing Fellowship in Nonprofit Leadership program.
The Pershing Fellowship provides students with opportunities to gain hands-on experience supporting the mission of local nonprofit organizations while developing valuable leadership and professional skills. Through the program, fellows work alongside nonprofit teams serving a variety of sectors, including education, healthcare, culture, the arts, and community service.
Chantal is pursuing degrees in Organization & Strategic Management and Political Science at Washington University. During her fellowship with Mission Realty Advisors, she will gain exposure to the nonprofit sector while contributing to initiatives that support organizations across the St. Louis region.
“We are excited to welcome Chantal to Mission Realty Advisors this summer,” said Pete Kinsella, Executive Director. “The Pershing Fellowship provides an outstanding opportunity for students to gain meaningful experience while contributing to organizations that are making a positive impact in our community.”
The MRA team looks forward to working with Chantal and supporting her professional growth throughout the summer while sharing insights into the unique role commercial real estate can play in helping nonprofit organizations achieve their missions.
Please join us in welcoming Chantal to Mission Realty Advisors.
Pete Kinsella and John Ross joined more than 125 St. Louis community, civic, and business leaders on April 17 at the Brickline Greenway Inclusive Economic Development Convening. Sponsored by Great Rivers Greenway, this incredible day of conversation, partnership, and inspiration centered on how transformative civic infrastructure can catalyze inclusive growth across our entire region. Pete and John joined national and local panelists who shared insights, lessons, and perspectives on community driven development that inspired attendees throughout the day.
Summit Real Estate Group is marking its 30th anniversary with a $30,000 donation to Mission Realty Advisors, a nonprofit organization founded by Summit to expand community impact through accessible real estate expertise.
What began as a milestone celebration evolved into something more meaningful. Following strong engagement and support from partners and the broader community during its anniversary year, Summit leadership chose to amplify the occasion with a $30,000 contribution to further the mission of Mission Realty Advisors.
“We were incredibly encouraged by the participation and enthusiasm surrounding our anniversary,” said John Ross, CEO of Summit Real Estate Group. “It felt like the right moment to give back in a bigger way. Supporting Mission Realty Advisors allows us to extend the celebration beyond our company and into the community.”
Mission Realty Advisors is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing other nonprofit organizations with affordable real estate expertise, strategic guidance, and access to resources that enable them to expand their impact. By addressing real estate challenges, the organization helps mission-driven groups operate more efficiently and serve more people throughout the St. Louis region.
This $30,000 contribution will help further the organization’s outreach and expand its services to additional nonprofits across the area.
“For three decades, Summit has believed real estate is more than buildings, it’s about people,” Ross added. “We’re proud to celebrate 30 years by investing in the communities that have supported us.”
As it looks toward its next chapter of growth, Summit Real Estate Group remains committed to service, partnership, and strengthening communities throughout the St. Louis area.
Meet some of the leaders who are helping address community needs.
January 23, 2026 at 5:50 AM
The St. Louis business ecosystem doesn’t grow without support at the grassroots level. It’s full of people doing steady, sometimes thankless work in the neighborhoods that dot the metro area. They’re the builders—leaders in community improvement districts, neighborhood coalitions, and regional efforts to bring people together. Their efforts help to boost small businesses and ensure that economic growth is shaped by and shared with the people who call St. Louis home.
Peter Kinsella | Mission Realty Advisors
With more than 35 years of real estate experience, Kinsella helps nonprofits navigate often-complex aspects of commercial real estate, from site selection to scope development, contract negotiation to construction oversight. The nonprofit helped with projects such as Refuge and Restoration’s redevelopment of a 90,000-square-foot shopping mall, as well as a new facility for the nonprofit FamilyForward.
Three established organizations dedicated to providing nonprofit support have joined forces to form the Nonprofit Synergy Alliance (NSA), a St. Louis–based hub offering nonprofits integrated expertise in real estate, operations, and fundraising.
NSA’s mission is to empower mission-driven organizations with strategic guidance and innovative solutions in a rapidly changing nonprofit landscape. By unifying the strengths of the three firms, the alliance delivers a one-stop model designed to help nonprofits improve efficiency, secure sustainable funding, and expand their impact.
Mission Realty Advisors brings specialized knowledge in nonprofit real estate; Holmes Radford & Reynolds contributes donor-centered fundraising strategy and campaign leadership; and Community Value Alliance delivers operational excellence with services spanning HR, finance, marketing, board development, and strategic planning.
As nonprofits grapple with rising costs, shifting donor expectations, and increasing demand for services, NSA positions itself as a comprehensive partner offering fresh strategies, streamlined operations, and support for collaborations, consolidations, and mergers.
“Three experts. One powerful solution.” This is the vision behind the Nonprofit Synergy Alliance; An integrated support system built to strengthen nonprofits and help communities thrive.
On September 18th, Mission Realty Advisors hosted a special event at our Summit office featuring Otis Williams, Interim President & CEO, St. Louis Development Corporation.
The discussion highlighted St. Louis’ resilience, including recovery efforts from the recent May 16, 2025, tornado, while also focusing on the broader opportunities that lie ahead. A significant part of the conversation centered on economic development – how investment, development strategies, and strong public-private partnerships are shaping a stronger and more vibrant future for our city.
Otis emphasized the importance of inclusive, sustainable growth that benefits businesses, residents, and neighborhoods alike. He also underscored the role of collaboration and long-term planning in positioning St. Louis for growth in the future.
For Mission Realty Advisors, hosting this event reflects our commitment to engaging with thought leaders who are shaping the region’s future. Real estate is about more than buildings – it’s about supporting the people, opportunities, and economic vitality that make St. Louis thrive.
We extend our thanks to Otis Williams for sharing his insights and to everyone who joined us for this meaningful discussion.
At Mission Realty Advisors, our commitment to community-based nonprofits through real estate services begins with people – and grows through partnership. Last week, we had the privilege of sharing that commitment with Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe during his visit to Summit’s office, where MRA is proudly headquartered.
The conversation centered around one of our most pressing priorities: unlocking the potential of St. Louis through thoughtful development, equitable housing, and long-term neighborhood investment. We discussed creative solutions to address systemic challenges, from vacant property revitalization to innovative funding strategies that can lift community-first projects.
As a nonprofit, MRA exists to bridge the gap between mission and market – empowering local nonprofit leaders, and organizations to build projects that reflect the needs and hopes of the communities they serve at costs that are manageable.
Governor Kehoe’s visit reinforced the importance of public-private collaboration in shaping the future of our cities. His openness to ideas and willingness to engage directly with on-the-ground changemakers is something we deeply value.
We’re excited about what’s ahead – not just for MRA, but for the neighborhoods and families we aim to serve across the region. At the end of the day, real estate isn’t just about buildings, it’s about belonging.
Stay connected with MRA as we continue to drive impact at the intersection of mission and development.
June 8, 2025
Pete Kinsella was the special guest on the June 8 edition of Talk of the Town, a weekly public affairs show from Hubbard Radio St. Louis that aired on five local stations. Click on the image to hear Pete talk about Mission Realty Advisors and its value to local nonprofit organizations.
May 8, 2025
Last week, MRA—a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping community-based nonprofits with their real estate needs—welcomed nearly 100 attendees to an evening focused on collaboration, innovation, and community impact.
MRA provides nonprofits with the expertise, bandwidth, and access to resources they need to navigate real estate challenges and focus more fully on their missions. Our aim is to deliver cost-effective solutions that strengthen nonprofits’ ability to serve communities in need.
The event was hosted by MRA founders John Ross and Pete Kinsella, whose leadership continues to drive our mission forward. Attendees also heard powerful insights from speakers Pastor Ken Jenkins and Arrey Obenson, both of whom emphasized the importance of strategic collaboration in community development.
A key focus of the evening was the introduction of the Nonprofit Synergy Alliance—a new initiative led by MRA and partners to create a one-stop services hub designed specifically to support nonprofits.
We’re grateful to everyone who attended and contributed to the momentum. Together, we’re helping to build stronger foundations for organizations that serve those who need it most.
James Drew – Reporter, St. Louis Business Journal. |. Jun 3, 2024
A new nonprofit group is working with the International Institute of St. Louis to help it potentially develop housing for immigrants and refugees.
Summit Real Estate Group last fall launched the nonprofit, Mission Realty Advisors, to provide community-based nonprofits with consulting and development services including budgeting, contractor selection, and capital and funding source strategies.
Led by Executive Director Peter Kinsella, Mission Realty Advisors is evaluating options for the Institute that could include the acquisition or construction of transitional and rental housing for new arrivals, and possibly opportunities for home ownership. Those options would be presented to the Institute’s board of directors, which would decide whether to proceed to look for investors.
“If we are going to raise capital to invest in a housing initiative by way of building and developing or purchasing, we want to ensure it works for us — meaning that we don’t want to carry a burden or a cost that is not going to make financial sense for us,” said Arrey Obsenon, president and CEO of the International Institute.
The Institute works with a network of landlords to house refugees and landlords in St. Louis, but sometimes it doesn’t get more than 24-hour notice of families’ arrivals. That forces the Institute to pay for hotels and motels, with the cost for a week in some cases exceeding the cost of an apartment for three months, Obenson said.
“So it would make a lot of sense if we had 40 or 50 units as transitional housing so that once we stabilize a family, we can move them to more permanent rental housing, making sure we put them in a job,” he said.
Last year, the Institute leased 239 units to settle refugees with an average rent of $968 per month. A federal program provides an allowance of $1,125 per person over three months, but it must cover spending money, a security deposit, three months of rent, home set-up materials such as furniture and housewares, utilities, and bus passes.
The Institute relies on donations to close the funding gap, which can cost $4,315 for a single person and $3,454 for a family of three, according to an Institute spokesperson.
John Ross, CEO of Summit Real Estate Group, said Mission Realty Advisors was formed to meet demand from nonprofit groups in need of assistance on real estate matters.
“On the rare occasion that they run into a situation where they have to solve a real estate problem, they don’t have the expertise or the bandwidth typically — and often quite frankly the access to the resources they need nor do they know where to find them,” said Kinsella. A 30-year veteran of commercial real estate, Kinsella moved over to Mission Realty Advisors after serving as a senior vice president development and asset management with Summit Real Estate Group.
Board members of Mission Realty Advisors include Ken Jenkins, chairman of the board of the nonprofit group behind the R&R Marketplace in Dellwood in north St. Louis County; Lou Brock Jr., owner and president of Lou Brock Mechanical Inc.; and Sheryl Sinclair, senior vice president, real estate and facilities at Midwest BankCentre.
In addition to the International Institute, Mission Realty Advisors is working with the Hawthorn Leadership School for Girls and the African Diaspora Council. Mission Realty doesn’t work with nonprofit groups that can afford a for-profit firm for real estate consulting, Ross said. It charges community-based nonprofits $95 an hour and a development fee of 1.5%.
Kinsella said the Institute faces housing challenges given the increasing number of immigrants and refugees it expects to serve. Mission Realty is helping the Institute develop a housing plan and working on budgets to renovate or construct affordable housing, he said.
Obenson said the collaboration with Mission Realty Advisors is a valuable one.
“It’s understanding the needs and the challenges that not-for-profit organizations have. It’s really helpful that an organization like Mission Realty realizes that’s a niche where they can support us to achieve our goals. Without that kind of help, we’d be transforming ourselves into a housing company and that would take us away from our mission,” he said.
According to the Form 990 filed with the IRS covering 2022, the Institute had $17.3 million in revenue, expenses of $17.4 million and net assets or fund balance of $7.8 million.
Mission Realty Advisors proudly announces that board member Apollo Carey has been honored in the St. Louis Business Journal’s 2024 Champions for Diversity and Inclusion Awards. This annual recognition celebrates individuals and organizations advancing diversity and inclusion in areas such as race, sexual orientation, and disability.
Apollo Carey, a member of Lewis Rice LLC, is among 13 individuals, a nonprofit, and a for-profit company recognized this year. His dedication to promoting inclusivity aligns with the awards’ focus on making St. Louis a more welcoming place to live and work.
Congratulations to Apollo for this prestigious recognition and his continued efforts to champion diversity.