Guidelines for Charitable Contribution Requests

Corporate Citizenship

DCU for Kids is a socially responsible organization committed to serving children in need.

Funding Criteria

To be eligible for funding from DCU for Kids, organizations must meet the following criteria:

• Applicants must be a registered 501(c)3 organization.
• Applicant organization must be at least two years old from the Effective Date of Exemption listed on the IRS letter of determination.
• Grant request cannot be more than 20 percent of the program’s operational budget.
• Applicants agree to report back to DCU for Kids on relevant outcomes of funding before additional grants are considered.
• Applicants must meet all grant guideline criteria.

The following are ineligible to receive contributions from DCU for Kids:

• Organizations without 501(c)3 tax-exempt status from the IRS
• Political organizations or candidates for public office
• Requests that are sensitive, controversial, harmful, or that pose a potential conflict of interest to DCU for Kids or DCU
• Labor, social, or fraternal organizations
• Requests from religious organizations that are denominational or sectarian in purpose
• Private Foundations, unless the Foundation operates programming for children in need
• For-profit Organizations
• Colleges and Universities
• Organizations that discriminate based on race, religion, age, color, sex, disability, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, or veteran status
• Organizations outside the United States
• Requests for event sponsorship, including:
  • Individuals that participate in walks, biking, running, challenges etc. intending to raise money for a charity as we only fund directly to the charity
  • Agencies and/or school sponsored walk-a-thons, athletic events, or athletic group sponsorships
  • Door prizes or raffles or auction items
  • School-affiliated orchestras, bands, choirs, drama groups, yearbooks or class parties
• Requests for advertising
• Requests for capital campaigns

DCU for Kids provides monetary contributions only.

Contribution Requests

Because DCU for Kids is a not-for-profit organization and our financial resources are limited, we cannot accommodate all requests we receive. Therefore, we must carefully review all appeals and grant support only to those organizations that best meet our community involvement objectives.

All proposals must be submitted via our online grant system. Applicants may only submit one grant request per calendar year.

Requests must include:

• A concise statement about your organization including history, programs, management, and record of accomplishments
• A thorough statement about the program seeking funding including established need, program goals, and record of accomplishments
• Organization operating budget (AGM budget required)
• Program operating budget (AGM budget required)
• Number of children your overall organization serves
• Number of children the program seeking funding serves
• Percent of the program’s operational budget the grant request would support
• Cost per child for the program seeking funding
• List of executive leadership, and Board member list with affiliations
• List of major sponsors and funders
• Copy of your organization’s most recent 990
• Copy of your organization’s most recent audited statement
• Copy of your organization’s most recent annual report
• Other examples of community involvement and relationships that you would like to highlight
• Specific amount requested from DCU for Kids
• Proof of tax-exempt status

Deadlines and Review Process

Each request is individually reviewed for eligibility. DCU for Kids may require a site visit or conference call to discuss your grant application and any questions we may have. Requesting organizations will receive notification of a funding decision following the board meeting.

Applications are reviewed in four cycles throughout the year. Review deadlines are in March, June, September and November.

For example, applications received December 1st through March 1st will be reviewed for funding consideration in April. Any applications received after March 1st will not be considered for funding until the next cycle.

DCU for Kids examples of funding:

• After-school and summer programs
• STEAM, financial literacy, and academic enrichment programs
• School readiness programs
• Programs and services supporting youth food/nutrition, clothing, dental, health and mental wellness
• Mentorship programming
• Specials needs programs
• Medical Research

Requests DCU for Kids does not generally support:

• Event sponsorships
• Sports equipment
• Capital expenses
• Renovation projects
• Salaries, stipends, and program staff