Grant application guidelines
Please read and follow the guidelines before applying.
Funding guidelines and processes.
SFF funds 501(c)(3) charitable organizations in good standing with the IRS and tax-exempt government instrumentalities. We do not fund individuals, international organizations, political activities, or lobbying efforts.
Funding is generally restricted to organizations in communities where members of the Stephenson Family live.
Submit requests EITHER online OR by mail. Do not submit the same request online and by mail. Duplicate requests will be automatically declined.
Organizations submitting a request for funding to SFF for the first time are required to use the online portal.
Organizations are allowed to submit multiple requests to SFF per year as long as the funds requested are for different programs/ purposes. For example, ABC Charity can submit a request in April for program support and another request in October for the annual fund. However, ABC Charity should not seek a contribution for the annual fund in September, October and November of the same year.
The Board of Trustees reviews requests quarterly at which time all requests received are either funded, deferred, or denied. You can expect to receive an email with the Board’s funding decision within 2 business days of the quarterly meeting.
Quarterly meeting dates are not currently published, please contact Julie Rotman for an estimated time frame for a specific request.
Requests for funding can be deferred for many reasons including but not limited to: incomplete application, SFF budget priorities, Board wants more information or just lack of general interest at that time. Deferred requests will be reconsidered at the next quarterly meeting, up to three times. If no consensus has been reached by the fourth time a deferred request comes before the Board the request is automatically denied.
These guidelines are subject to change, and exceptions are allowable at the discretion of the Board. Changes to the guidelines will be communicated on this website. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure compliance with current guidelines.
Please read and follow the guidelines before applying.