U.S. Bancorp Foundation

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Neighborhood Networks provides potential funding sources to help centers develop and improve programs and services. Featured this week is U.S. Bancorp Foundation.

With $247 billion in assets, U.S. Bancorp is the parent company of U.S. Bank, the sixth largest commercial bank in the United States. The company operates 2,769 banking offices and 5,159 automated teller machines, and provides a comprehensive line of banking, brokerage, insurance, investment, mortgage, trust, and payment services products to consumers, businesses, and institutions.

Program Areas: The U.S. Bancorp Foundation matches its resources with community partners who understand the needs of individuals, families, and organizations. The foundation seeks to build strong partnerships by supporting organizations that:

	Improve the educational and economic opportunities of low- and moderate-income individuals and families.
	Enhance the cultural and artistic life of the communities in which U.S. Bancorp employees live and work. These communities are located in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

The foundation's funding priorities include:

	Economic Opportunity. The U.S. Bancorp Foundation supports the creation of economic opportunity through grants to organizations that:   Provide affordable housing. The foundation assists organizations that support the preservation, rehabilitation, and construction of quality affordable housing for low- and moderate-income populations, and programs that provide home buyer counseling and related economic education to those individuals and families.   Encourage self-sufficiency. The foundation supports programs that help low- and moderate-income individuals to develop work and life skills essential to self-sufficiency, with a focus on work-entry programs, specific skills training, employment retention, and personal financial management training. The foundation also supports broad childcare and transportation initiatives designed to help people transition from welfare to work (no funding is provided for direct service providers or individual child-care providers).   Assist economic development. In low- and moderate-income areas, the foundation funds programs that support small business development and expansion, commercial revitalization, and job creation.
	Education. The U.S. Bancorp Foundation supports innovative programs that help low-income and at-risk students succeed in school and prepare for post-secondary education, offer financial literacy training, and provide effective mentoring programs. Priority is given to programs that reach a broad number of students, bring together community resources, support curriculum innovation, and can, if successful, be replicated.
	Cultural and artistic enrichment. The foundation funds organizations and programs that build audiences for the arts, especially among underserved populations; bring select and limited civic amenities to underserved, rural communities; and promote the arts in education.

Targeted Area: Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, and West.

Eligibility: Tax-exempt Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations interested in applying for a grant should review the grant guidelines and grant application. Any questions should be directed to the appropriate charitable giving contact. The U.S. Bancorp Foundation charitable contributions program will not provide funding for:

	Organizations that are not tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3).
	Fraternal organizations, merchant associations, chamber memberships or programs, or 501(c)(4) or (6) organizations.
	Section 509(a)(3) supporting organizations.
	Fundraising events or sponsorships.
	"Pass through" organizations or private foundations.
	Organizations outside U.S. Bancorp communities.
	Programs operated by religious organizations for religious purposes.
	Political organizations or organizations designed primarily to lobby.
	Individuals.
	Travel and related expenses.
	Endowment campaigns.
	Deficit reduction.
	Organizations receiving primary funding from United Way.
	Organizations whose practices are not in keeping with the company's equal opportunity policy.

Award Amount: Award amounts vary.

Application Process: Complete the application, print, and mail it, along with the appropriate hard copy attachments, to the appropriate foundation charitable giving contact. Carefully review the U.S. Bancorp Foundation grant guidelines and funding restrictions to make sure the request meets essential criteria before submitting an application.

Attachments must include:

	Cover letter.
	A copy of the organization's current IRS determination letter indicating tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status.
	List of board of directors, including names, telephone numbers, and affiliations.
	Annual report or other material summarizing the organization's activities.
	Current year itemized operating revenue and expense budget for the organization.
	Most recent audited financial statements or IRS Form 990.
	A list of major corporate and foundation donors for the past two years.

Deadline: Varies by state.

Contact: For more information about the U.S. Bancorp Foundation, contact:

U.S. Bancorp
U.S. Bancorp Center
800 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55402