Standard Corporate Giving Program & Charitable Foundation

StanCorp Financial Group

Deadline: Rolling

Grant amount: US $500 - US $25,000

Funding uses: Education / Outreach, General Operating Expense, Project / Program, Capital Project, Exhibitions

Location of project: United States

Location of residency: United States

Overview:

Philanthropy

In 1906, when Leo Samuel founded the company that would become The Standard, he had two radical — at least for the time — ideas for business: it should provide local services for customers and it should contribute to the well-being of the community. Our company has grown considerably since those early days — we have customers and offices around the country. Our dual focus on exceptional customer service and supporting the places we live and work continues to guide The Standard today

Corporate Giving

At The Standard, our business purpose is to help people achieve financial well-being and peace of mind. This focus means that our company exists to help people. Our more than 3,000 employees are a huge part of that culture of caring. Not surprisingly, our corporate giving reflects that culture of caring. We work with employees to find ways to make a difference and support our communities through corporate giving and grants. The philosophy behind our charitable giving is shaped by the same attributes that help make us a leading provider of financial services: integrity, commitment and doing things differently. Through our corporate giving program, we support organizations that align with our four focus areas: Healthy Communities, Disability and Empowerment, Cultural Development, and Education and Advancement.

The Standard Charitable Foundation

In 2006 we celebrated our 100th anniversary, and to mark the occasion — and properly honor our rich legacy of philanthropy — we launched The Standard Charitable Foundation.

The mission of The Standard Charitable Foundation is to make a positive difference in the communities we serve by supporting community development, education and disability organizations. While the foundation has a broad goal of making a positive difference in our communities, we place special emphasis on helping individuals and families who have experienced a major disability or the loss of a loved one.

Organizations We Support

Healthy Communities

Strong, vibrant communities are a critical source of security for all residents. We fund organizations that provide support, training and rehabilitation to individuals and families facing significant challenges. We also fund programs that help individuals and families develop capabilities to increase self-sufficiency.

Disability and Empowerment

Our business is about helping people overcome hardships and empowering success. We support organizations that help people with disabilities thrive independently and overcome barriers to social and economic success. We also support programs that provide relief during transitions to independent living.

Cultural Development

Arts and cultural organizations play a major role in vibrant communities. We support organizations that offer multicultural art programs and provide enhanced access for the under-served. Specifically, we encourage programs that build audiences and promote the arts through education, interactive media and artistic excellence.

Education and Advancement

The future health and well-being of our communities is in the hands of children, who are the workers, innovators, leaders and artists of the future. We fund organizations that foster strategic learning initiatives to better prepare children for success. We emphasize programs that strengthen the quality of education, early childhood education and workforce development.

Funding Guidelines for The Standard's Corporate Giving Program

Types of Support

• General operating support
• Program support
• Capital support
• Event sponsorship
• Exhibitions
• Performance/Productions

Range of Support: $500 to $25,000. The average gift is $3,000.

Focus Areas 

• Healthy Communities
• Disability and Empowerment
• Cultural Development
• Education and Advancement

Funding Guidelines for The Standard Charitable Foundation

Types of Support 

• General operating support
  
• Program support
• Capital support

Range of Support: $5,000 to $25,000. The average gift is $10,000.

Focus Areas

• Healthy Communities
• Disability and Empowerment
• Education and Advancement

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website.

Eligibility:

• Funding Guidelines
• To be eligible for funding, an organization must be a charitable, nonprofit, tax-exempt organization as determined by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code.
• Organizations should align with at least one of our four focus areas: Healthy Communities, Disability and Empowerment, Cultural Development or Education and Advancement.
  

Ineligibility:

• The Standard's Corporate Giving Program: To ensure greater impact in our communities, we will not consider charitable funding requests for:
• Sports team sponsorships
• Support for programs or organizations solely benefitting individuals outside of the United States
• Individuals, for any purpose
• Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law or regulation
• Labor or fraternal groups
• Contributions to or memberships in chambers of commerce, service clubs, taxpayer associations and other similar bodies
• Establishment or support of endowments, annual appeal, debt retirement or operational deficits
• “Pass through” organizations or private foundations
• Requests to support travel
• Organizations that influence, promote or attempt to initiate legislation or support political candidates or political philosophies
• Organizations whose mission and values support and/or endorse politically charged or divisive social issues that may conflict with The Standard’s values
• Organizations that further their efforts through illegal, disruptive or violent methods
• The Standard Charitable Foundation: The Standard Charitable Foundation is a separate, legal entity from The Standard. As such, the foundation has additional restrictions and funding guidelines.
• In addition to above restrictions, The Standard Charitable Foundation will not consider funding requests for:
• Political groups
• Advertising or sponsorship
• Fundraising events (such as dinners, conferences and walk-a-thons)
• Any activities or organizations for which support would violate IRS regulations for private foundations
• Groups or organizations that will re-grant the foundation's gifts to other organizations or individuals
• General operating support to hospitals and health care institutions