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

Its mission is to make a positive difference in the communities we serve by supporting community development, education, disability and health organizations. While the Foundation has a broad goal of making a positive difference in communities, we place special emphasis on helping individuals and families who have experienced a loss or setback such as a major disability or the loss of a loved one. This goal aligns with The Standard’s purpose of helping people achieve financial security so they can confidently pursue their dreams.

It is the mission of The Standard Charitable Foundation to make a positive difference in the communities we serve by supporting community development, education, disability and health 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.

Community Development

We support organizations and programs that build healthy communities and help maintain their vitality, and programs that address major human services issues affecting children and families. The Foundation will also consider requests that focus on disadvantaged populations and develop young people's abilities, knowledge and aptitude for successful futures. We're interested in organizations and programs that increase employment opportunities, strengthen job skills and opportunities, develop the workforce, increase entrepreneur financial training and access to capital, and develop financial literacy.

Education Effectiveness

We support organizations and programs that strengthen the quality of education and develop systems to improve its overall effectiveness, with particular emphasis on K-12 grade levels. We fund programs that promote access and opportunity to schooling and help low-income and at-risk students succeed in school and prepare for post-secondary education. We're interested in bolstering literacy in the early years and focusing on diversity and inclusion. We will also consider requests to develop after-school programs, improve education leadership skills and help students achieve high results.

Disability and Health

We are committed to using The Standard's expertise in disability and return-to-work programs in tandem with our corporate giving to support organizations and programs that help people with disabilities lead independent and fulfilling lives. The Foundation will also fund programs that promote and educate about health and wellness and help people make informed decisions about their health.

Before applying for a grant, please review the Eligibility Qualifications. The Standard Charitable Foundation accepts requests any time during the year. Letters of Inquiry are required prior to submitting a formal grant application. If you are interested in submitting a Letter of Inquiry to the Foundation, please review the following:

Overview

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. This goal aligns with The Standard's purpose of helping people achieve financial security so they can pursue their dreams with confidence.

The distribution of annual grants provides the opportunity for the Foundation to respond to and support organizations across the country that serve a diverse and broad population in communities where The Standard has operations and employees.

Funding Cycles

The Foundation will invite organizations to submit a formal application upon approving a Letter of Inquiry. There are two funding cycles for grants, in June and November. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. PST May 29 and October 30 to be considered for funding in 2009.

Geographical Considerations

While the Foundation will give priority to organizations that serve areas where The Standard's employees live and work, it will also consider requests that serve other communities. The Foundation Board is particularly interested in supporting projects and programs with national focus, or programs that serve more than one city.

Types of Grants We Consider

We consider grants for the following:

• General operating support
• Program support

We do not fund capital campaigns or make in-kind contributions of equipment or property. The Standard Charitable Foundation receives more requests each year than it can fund. The following guidelines help us make thoughtful decisions and use our resources to the best possible advantage.

To qualify for a grant, an organization must:

• be recognized by the United States IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charity
• be located in and offer the majority of its services and programs in the United States
• meet the guidelines/confirm compliance outlined in How to Apply
• reflect the values and mission of The Standard

Restrictions

We are unable to consider requests for:

• Organizations that are not tax-exempt under paragraph 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code
• Political, labor, religious, athletic or fraternal groups
• Individuals for any purpose
• Advertising or sponsorship
• Fundraising events (such as dinners, conferences and walkathons)
• Organizations that discriminate against individuals on the basis of creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin or veteran status
• Contributions to or memberships in chambers of commerce, service clubs, taxpayer associations and other similar bodies
• Establishment or support of endowments, annual appeals, debt retirement or operational deficits
• Organizations whose activities are mainly international
• Any activities or organizations for which support would violate IRS regulations for private foundations
• "Pass-through" organizations or private foundations
• Athletic events or teams, bands and choirs (including equipment and uniforms)
• Requests to support travel
• Groups or organizations that will re-grant the Foundation's gifts to other organizations or individuals
• Endowment campaigns
• Organizations that influence, promote or attempt to initiate legislation, or support political candidates or political philosophies
• Generating operating support to hospitals and health care institutions
• Private K-16 schools