Community possible grant program

The foundation will consider the following factors:

• Innovation and/or differentiation in our focus areas of work, home and play
• Programming and services that advance positive community engagement efforts
• Demonstrated outcomes and impact
• Service delivery to low- and moderate-income and underserved communities
• The financial health of the organization

Please read our ESG and community reports for more information on our annual giving.

Organizations must have tax-exempt status under IRS section 501(c)(3) and certify that they maintain a non-discrimination policy that ensures the organization does not discriminate, including but not limited to, based on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, marital status, genetic information, veteran status or other factors that are protected by law.

Because the Foundation receives funding requests more than the annual grant program budget, we must decline support to worthy organizations and programs. We may decline support to organizations we have previously supported to expand community engagements. Support should not be expected to continue in perpetuity and declining a request does not reflect a negative appraisal of the organization or the value of its programs and services.

We consider the following funding requests:

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

Program or project grants – A Program/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 part of an organized drive to collect and accumulate substantial funds to finance fixed assets. The U.S. Bank Foundation considers 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 serving on the board of directors. U.S. Bank does not fund more than 1% of the non-endowment total capital campaign fundraising goal.

The U.S. Bank Foundation Community Possible grant program will not provide funding for:

• Organizations that discriminate, including but not limited to, based on the basis race, ethnicity, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, or other factors that are protected by law
• Political action committees, candidates, causes, and lobbying
• Religious organizations, unless they are engaged in programs that are non-sectarian, and benefit a broad base of the community
• For profit organizations, fraternal organizations, merchant associations, memberships or 501(c)(4), (5), or (6) organizations
• Athletic, or sports teams, programs, or leagues
• Section 509(a)(3) – Type III supporting organizations
• Private foundations
• Endowments
• Fundraising events or sponsorships
• Grants specifically for travel, study and related expenses including student trips or tours
• Individuals, including those seeking scholarships or fellowship assistance
• Deficit reduction