Operating Grants for Nonprofits

NOTE: For nonprofit organizations new to U.S. Bank Foundation, a Letter of Interest will be available in January 2021. Community Affairs Managers will review Letter of Interest submissions periodically to learn about new and innovative programs and organizations in their regions and markets. After reviewing a Letter of Interest, a Community Affairs Manager may reach out with a request for a full application. You can access the Letter of Interest by clicking the “Submit a letter of interest” link at the bottom of this page. Letters of Interest may be submitted at any time during the year.

Community Possible Grant

Through U.S. Bank’s Community Possible® grant program, we invest in efforts to create stable jobs, safe homes and communities.

Funding Types

Within these general guidelines, we consider the following funding request types:

Operating grants

An operating grant is given to cover an organization’s day-to-day, ongoing expenses, such as salaries, utilities, office supplies and more. We consider operating support requests from organizations where the entire mission of the organization fits a Community Possible grant focus area.

Program or project grants

A program or project grant is given to support a specific, connected set of activities, with a beginning and an end, explicit objectives and a predetermined cost. We consider highly effective and innovative programs that meet our Community Possible grant focus areas.

Capital grants

A capital grant is given to finance fixed assets. The U.S. Bank Foundation considers a small number of requests for capital support from organizations that meet all other funding criteria, whose entire mission statement fits a Community Possible grant focus area, and with which the Foundation has a funding history. All organizations requesting capital funding must also have a U.S. Bank employee on the board of directors. U.S. Bank does not fund more than 1% of the non-endowment total capital campaign fundraising goal. All capital grant requests are reviewed and approved by the national U.S. Bank Foundation Board or by the U.S. Bank Foundation President.

Focus Area: PLAY

Creating vibrant communities through play.

Play brings joy, and it’s just as necessary for adults as it is for kids. But in low-income areas there are often limited spaces for play and fewer people attending arts and cultural events. That’s why we invest in community programming that supports ways for children and adults to play and create.

Access to artistic and cultural programming and arts education

Our investments ensure economic vitality and accessibility to the arts in local communities, as well as support for arts education. Examples of grant support include:

• Programs that provide access to cultural activities, visual and performing arts, zoos and aquariums and botanic gardens for individuals and families living in underserved communities
• Funding for local arts organizations that enhance the economic vitality of the community
• Programs that provide funding for arts-focused nonprofit organizations that bring visual and performing arts programming to low- and moderate-income K-12 schools and youth centers

Supporting learning through play.

Many young people across the country do not have the resources or access to enjoy the benefits of active play. Supporting active play-based programs and projects for K-12 students located in or serving low- and moderate-income communities fosters innovation, creativity, and collaboration and impacts the overall vitality of the communities we serve. Funding support includes:

• Support for organizations that build or expand access to active play spaces and places that help K-12 students learn through play and improves the health, safety and unification of neighborhoods in low- and moderate-income communities
• Programs that focus on using active play to help young people develop cognitive, social and emotional learning skills to become vibrant and productive citizens in low- and moderate-income communities

Focus Area: WORK

Supporting workforce education and prosperity.

We know that a strong small business environment and an educated workforce ensure the prosperity of our communities and reducing the expanding wealth gap for communities of color. We provide grant support to programs and organizations that help small businesses thrive, allow people to succeed in the workforce, provide pathways to higher education and gain greater financial literacy.

Investing in the workforce.

We fund organizations that provide training for small business development, as well as programs that support individuals across all skill and experience levels, to ensure they have the capability to gain employment that supports individuals and their families. Examples of grant support include:

Small business technical assistance programs

Job-skills, career readiness training programs with comprehensive placement services for low- and moderate-income individuals entering or reentering the labor force

Providing pathways for educational success.

To address the growing requirements for post-secondary education in securing competitive jobs in the workplace, we support:

• Organizations and programs that help low- and moderate-income and at-risk middle and high school students prepare for post-secondary education at a community college, university, trade or technical school and career readiness
• Programs and initiatives at post-secondary institutions that support access to career and educational opportunities for low- and moderate-income and diverse students

Teaching financial well-being for work and life.

Financial well-being is not only critical for financial stability, it’s crucial in helping individuals be successful in the workplace. Examples of grant support include programs that positively impact:

• K-12 and college student financial literacy
• Adult and workforce financial literacy
• Senior financial fraud prevention
• Military service member and veteran financial literacy

Focus Area: HOME

Working to revitalize communities one neighborhood at a time.

Children and families are better positioned to thrive and succeed in a home that is safe and permanent. Access to sustainable low-income housing is increasingly challenges for low-moderate income families. In response, our giving supports efforts that connect individuals and families with sustainable housing opportunities.

Access to safe, affordable housing

We provide financial support to assist people in developing stability in their lives through access to safe, sustainable and accessible homes. Examples of grant support include:

• Organizations that preserve, rehabilitate, renovate or construct affordable housing developments for low- and moderate-income families, individuals, seniors, veterans, and special-needs populations
• Organizations that provide transitional housing as a direct steppingstone to permanent housing
• Organizations that focus on Veterans housing and homeownership
• Construction of green homes for low- and moderate-income communities
• Energy retrofit programs for low- and moderate-income housing developments

Home ownership education

Owning and maintaining a home requires significant financial knowledge, tools, and resources. We support programs that assist low- and moderate-income homebuyers and existing homeowners. Examples of grant support include:

• Homebuyer education
• Pre- and post-purchase counseling and coaching
• Homeownership-retention programs designed to provide foreclosure counseling

What We Do

The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation supports a variety of nonprofit organizations seeking to improve the quality of life for those residing in Hampden County, with particular focus in the areas of education and early literacy.

The Foundation’s investments in the community are designed to improve outcomes and life prospects for our region’s youngest citizens through strategic supports in the critical areas of early childhood and education PreK-16.

Key Strategies

In order to serve as an agent of change, the Davis Foundation believes it is essential to incorporate a multi-disciplinary approach to its work.

Change strategies used by the Foundation include: 

• A targeted, strategic grantmaking program focused largely on young children and their families, but also emphasizing engagement in education PreK-16 and other catalyzing community initiatives
• Convening stakeholders to foster opportunities for networking and organizing on critical community issues
• Engaging in public policy and advocacy in support of issues critical to the success of children, youth and families
• Investing in study, research and data collection to inform the Foundation's work and the work of its partners and stakeholders
• Employing strategic communications strategies to build public awareness, engagements and resolve
• Leveraging the Foundation's efforts by working to connect local, state and national public and private resources in support of critical issues facing Hampden County

General Operating Grants

The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation awards Hampden County nonprofit organizations General Operating Grants and uses the following criteria to guide its decision making:

• Grants will be awarded in support of enhancing operations
• Grants are considered for organizations that are stable and in a situation where an unrestricted grant can enhance operations not resolve a crisis
• Organizations can apply for a General Operating Grant on an annual basis
• Organizations are expected to develop performances objectives outlining how this type of grant support will enable them to strengthen their programs and/or organizational capacity. These performance objectives should be aligned with your strategic plan and have specific assessment criteria focused on impact—what will change in your organization as a result of this type of funding?
• Grants are approved on an annual basis and cover no more than a 12-month timeframe
• Receipt of a General Operating Grant does not in any way guarantee future funding. Each year grants are reviewed and assessed based on the current situation at an organization and the organization's success at accomplishing its performance objectives

Note: General operating support grants are aligned with the grantee's fiscal year. Organizations applying to the Dyson Foundation for general operating support for the first time must submit an initial letter of inquiry no later than six months prior to the start of their fiscal year.

The Dyson Foundation is strongly committed to the Mid-Hudson Valley, New York State counties of Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, and Ulster. We have a particular emphasis on Dutchess County, our home community. 

The Dyson Foundation works to improve people's lives through grant funding, promoting philanthropy, and strengthening the capacity of nonprofit organizations.

General Operating Support Grants

The Dyson Foundation makes general operating support grants available to 501(c)(3) organizations in the Mid-Hudson Valley (Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, and Ulster counties) who are addressing basis human needs such as food, housing, health care, and other human services.

General operating support grants may be used to cover day-to-day activities or ongoing expenses such as administrative salaries, utilities, office supplies, technology maintenance, etc., as well as for project costs, capital, technology purchases, and professional development. 

The McInerny Foundation is one of the largest charitable foundations in the State of Hawai‘i. Its funds originated from the estates of twin brothers, William and James  McInerny, and their older sister, Ella McInerny, whose wealth was generated in large part by a distinguished clothing establishment in the city of Honolulu. 

Today, McInerny Foundation is honored for its generous contributions to education and social services to which most of their grantmaking is allocated, while the balance of their  funding is distributed for arts and culture, health, environment, and other projects. 

Fields of Interest

• Arts & Culture
• Community
• Education
• Environment
• Health
• Human Services

Program Support: Support is provided for programs and projects that better the lives of individuals and families in the state of Hawaii.

General Operating Support: Support is usually provided to organizations having an established relationship with the Foundation. 

Additional Information

Board of Directors

In order to be successful in accomplishing its purposes, a charitable organization generally must have community and business support, rather than relying solely on foundations or government funding. For this reason the Distribution Committee pays particular attention to how active members of an organization’s Board of Directors are in carrying out their responsibilities to the organization.   

Other Factors

Some other factors considered in reviewing a proposal are:

• the community’s need for the proposed program or project in relation to other similar activities;
• reasonableness of the project’s income/expenditure budget;
• ability of the applicant to obtain entire funding and sustain the proposed project.

Mission

The Sherwood Foundation® promotes equity through social justice initiatives enhancing the quality of life in Nebraska.

Vision

We believe social justice is the proactive reinforcement of policies, practices, attitudes, and actions that all produce equitable power, access, opportunities, treatment, impacts, and outcomes for all.

Who We Fund

The Sherwood Foundation® limits grants to organizations that are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3), government entities, schools, or churches that are serving Nebraska. These organizations must be in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service. 

What We Fund

The Sherwood Foundation® limits grants to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations that predominately benefit those that are serving Nebraska and must address one of our categories:

Urban Community Partnerships

Our work in Nebraska’s urban communities focuses on family stability and child wellbeing with an overarching emphasis on community context. Using a two-generation approach, we are interested in the relationship between direct service provision and the greater systems that impact a community. Applicants are wise to cite specific research that influences a service model or approach to solving a community challenge.

Omaha Public Schools

Guidelines: 

• OPS employees must obtain approval from the District before submitting an application. 
• Applications lacking such documentation will not receive consideration.
• For assistance, please contact the OPS Grant Coordinator at 402.557.2151.

Rural Community Partnerships

Through these grants, The Sherwood Foundation® promotes local capacity to address locally-identified priorities and thereby strengthen the common good we enjoy as fellow Nebraskans. Requests from communities outside of the Omaha and Lincoln metro areas are considered on an ongoing basis. 

The following priorities guide The Sherwood Foundation’s Rural Community Partnership grants:

• Community leadership development that helps local community members expand and deepen their skills and experiences to better serve their home community through learning and innovation.
• Community inclusion that is broad-based and intentionally developed to leverage the diverse skills and perspectives of community members in service to the benefits and responsibilities of community life.
• Community collaboration that aligns stakeholders and resources in order to strategically build upon and utilize locally-controlled assets.

Early Childhood Education

The Sherwood Foundation® supports early childhood education on a regional and national basis through The Buffett Early Childhood Fund

What the Sherwood Foundation Values

 The Sherwood Foundation has strongly held values regarding civil liberties, equality and fairness with a particular focus on women and people oppressed because of their race, sexual orientation, and/or religion or lack-thereof.

• We respect that not all nonprofit organizations share the same values as the Foundation.
• We don’t ask nonprofits to change values for us or for funding.
• We do ask that nonprofits leaders respect our values and save everyone time and energy by not seeking funding if our organizational values aren’t aligned.

Equal rights.

We believe all humans are created equal. We work to eliminate government and social barriers to equality.

Access to civic life.

We are proud to live in a democracy and believe that the rights provided to individuals in the United States should be protected and the best way to protect those rights is to ensure equal access to the voting polls. 

Reproductive justice.

We support a woman’s right to self-determination about reproductive health choices. We expect our grantees serving women and girls to ensure access and education to all health care options, including abortion. 

Opportunity to thrive.

We believe a zip code should not determine the outcome of a life. We see how government institutions and laws have historically and do presently oppress and suppress opportunity, particularly for people of color but also other minority populations and women. We work with our community to undo systemic oppression and build systems that meet the needs of citizens and do not further oppress. We seek economic justice for our neighbors and the opportunity that lies therein.

Access to services.

We expect grantees to ensure that clients have access to services and that service providers work to remove barriers rather than create barriers to care and compassion. A service provider’s religious belief system should not be imposed upon those who seek their services, whether through proselytization, coercion, guilt, or an unspoken quid-pro-quo expectation to participate in faith-based classes or religious services.

Operating Grants

The Sherwood Foundation® believes that providing operating support can make all the difference to nonprofit organizations by providing flexible funding to cover the ongoing costs of day-to-day operations (administrative/overhead). This type of support can free nonprofits to become more strategic about how they address community issues, craft internal solutions to enhance effectiveness, and build organizational infrastructure.

Operating Grant Guidelines

The Western Kansas Community Foundation is the current sole trustee of the Ruth V. Gordanier and the Roy P. Mersereau trusts. Under the administration of prior trustees, the trusts made grant awards at the end of each year, and often to recurring grantees. Under the new administration, any organization wishing to access the grant distribution must do so through the competitive application process. Because of the nature of these trusts, organizations may apply for certain operation-type expenses that are considered ineligible in other WKCF grant applications.