The U.S. Bank Foundation supports communities through work, home and play grants. Find out about our Community Possible grant program, eligibility criteria and how to apply.
We focus on collaborative grantmaking and sustainable, high-impact funding with 501(c)(3) nonprofit partners. We partner with organizations that support:
Workforce education and economic prosperity
Neighborhood stability and revitalization
Arts, culture and places to foster joy
Our community affairs and foundation team work closely with U.S. Bank regional leadership, business resource groups and our National Community Advisory Committee to ensure that prevailing needs are addressed in all the communities we serve.
To make the most meaningful impact, we prioritize organizations that:
Established partners may apply annually for a grant via invitation from a U.S. Bank Foundation community affairs manager
New and emerging organizations bring balance to our grant making through our Letter of Interest (LOI) application. We ensure funding is set aside each year to explore new opportunities. Nonprofit organizations new to the U.S. Bank Foundation may submit an LOI at any time during the year.
The U.S. Bank Foundation utilizes an electronic LOI to identify organizations with unique and innovative programs that fit within our pillars of work, home and play.
Factors considered by the U.S. Bank Foundation
The foundation will consider the following factors:
Please read our ESG and community reports for more information on our annual giving.
Our grant program is designed to embrace the diversity in our communities. 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 based on 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 beyond 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 declination does not reflect a negative appraisal of the organization or the value of its programs and service.
Accepted request types
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 and more. We consider operating support requests from organizations where the entire mission of the organization fits a Community Possible grant focus area.
Program or project grants – A program or 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 given to finance fixed assets. The U.S. Bank Foundation considers a small number of capital support requests from organizations that:
U.S. Bank does not fund more than 1% of the non-endowment total capital campaign fundraising goal. All capital grant requests are reviewed and approved by the national U.S. Bank Foundation Board or by the U.S. Bank Foundation President.
The U.S. Bank Foundation Community Possible grant program will not provide funding for:
U.S. Bank is a member of the Disaster Responder Program, contributing national funds annually to ensure the American Red Cross can immediately implement disaster relief efforts.
Local American Red Cross chapters may be invited to submit a grant application by a U.S. Bank Foundation community affairs manager. If invited to apply, we will accept program grant requests for the Disaster Services Funding Program, Home Fire Campaign and Service to Armed Forces Program.