Grants Overview
DCU for Kids is proud to help organizations with deserving causes and charities benefiting children in need.
Some organizations that receive support include youth community programs, mentoring and education programs, medical research and support services for basic needs.
Before submitting an application for consideration, please review our Grant Submission Guidelines and our Funding Focus Areas to determine if your request qualifies.
We do not support fundraising events, capital campaigns and expenses or sponsorship opportunities.
All applications must be submitted online using the button found below. We do not accept paper requests or Letters of Inquiry. Applicants may only submit one grant request per calendar year.
If you are a first-time user of our online system, you will need to register yourself as a new user to complete the application. Your email address is your unique identifier and can only be associated with one organization. If you are affiliated with more than one organization, please obtain additional email addresses and register for each organization separately.
Apply in 3 easy steps
Programs In Action
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Submission Guidelines
DCU for Kids is a socially responsible organization committed to serving children in need.
Because DCU for Kids is a not-for-profit organization and our financial resources are limited, we cannot accommodate all requests we receive. Therefore, we must carefully review all appeals and grant support only to those organizations that best meet our community involvement objectives.
All applications must be submitted online. We do not accept paper requests or Letters of Inquiry.
TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING FROM DCU FOR KIDS, ORGANIZATIONS MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
- Applicants must be a registered 501(c)3 organization
- Applicant organization must be at least two years old from the Effective Date of Exemption listed on the IRS letter of determination
- Grant request cannot be more than 20 percent of the program’s operational budget
- Applicants agree to report back to DCU for Kids on relevant outcomes of funding before additional grants are considered
- Applicants must meet all grant guideline criteria
THE FOLLOWING ARE INELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM DCU FOR KIDS:
- Organizations without 501(c)3 tax-exempt status from the IRS
- Political organizations or candidates for public office
- Requests that are sensitive, controversial, harmful, or that pose a potential conflict of interest to DCU for Kids or DCU
- Labor, social, or fraternal organizations
- Requests from religious organizations that are denominational or sectarian in purpose
- Private Foundations, unless the Foundation operates programming for children in need
- For-profit Organizations
- Colleges and Universities
- Organizations that discriminate based on race, religion, age, color, sex, disability, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, or veteran status
- Organizations outside the United States
- Requests for event sponsorship, including:
- Individuals that participate in walks, biking, running, challenges etc. intending to raise money for a charity as we only fund directly to the charity
- Agencies and/or school sponsored walk-a-thons, athletic events, or athletic group sponsorships
- Door prizes or raffles or auction items
- School-affiliated orchestras, bands, choirs, drama groups, yearbooks or class parties
- Requests for advertising
- Requests for capital campaigns
DCU for Kids provides monetary contributions only through the formal grant application process.
REQUESTS MUST INCLUDE:
- A concise statement about your organization including history, programs, management, and record of accomplishments
- A thorough statement about the program seeking funding including established need, program goals, and record of accomplishments
- Organization operating budget (AGM budget required)
- Program operating budget (AGM budget required)
- Number of children your overall organization serves
- Number of children the program seeking funding serves
- Percent of the program’s operational budget the grant request would support
- Cost per child for the program seeking funding
- List of executive leadership, and Board member list with affiliations
- List of major sponsors and funders
- Copy of your organization’s most recent 990
- Copy of your organization’s most recent audited statement
- Copy of your organization’s most recent annual report
- Other examples of community involvement and relationships that you would like to highlight
- Specific amount requested from DCU for Kids
- Proof of tax-exempt status
Each request is individually reviewed for eligibility. DCU for Kids may require a site visit or conference call to discuss your grant application and any questions we may have. Requesting organizations will receive notification of a funding decision following the board meeting.
Applications are reviewed in four cycles throughout the year. Review deadlines are in March, June, September and November.
Cycle | Applications Accepted | Review Month |
|---|---|---|
Cycle 1 | December 1st through March 1st | April |
Cycle 2 | March 1st through June 1st | July |
Cycle 3 | June 1st through September 1st | October |
Cycle 4 | September 1st through December 1st | January |
For example, applications received December 1st through March 1st will be reviewed for funding consideration in April. Any applications received after March 1st will not be considered for funding until the next cycle.
DCU FOR KIDS EXAMPLES OF FUNDING:
- After-school and summer programs
- STEAM, financial literacy, and academic enrichment programs
- School readiness programs
- Programs and services supporting youth food/nutrition, clothing, dental, health and mental wellness
- Mentorship programming
- Specials needs programs
- Medical Research
REQUESTS DCU FOR KIDS DOES NOT GENERALLY SUPPORT:
- Event sponsorships
- Sports equipment
- Capital expenses
- Renovation projects
- Salaries, stipends, and program staff
Funding Focus Areas
FOCUS AREAS | DEFINITION |
|---|---|
Youth Community Programming Support | Youth Community Programming Support helps with assistance to after-school and summer programs, school readiness programs, and enrichment programs for children in need, including mentorship programs. These grants also support educational programming featuring literacy, financial literacy, STEAM programming, and enrichment programs that help children advance in their studies, build knowledge, character, and leadership skills. Participation in these programs will ultimately develop the child as an individual, a future leader, and a successful member of the community. |
Insecure Population Basic Need Support | Insecure Population Basic Need Support provides help for children to live healthy, economically stable, and enhanced lives. These funds can be used for programming and services that provide food/nutrition, clothing, dental, health mental wellness assistance. Often these grants are awarded to specially designed services for at risk youth facing poverty, illness, or neglect. |
Special Needs Support | Special Needs Support grants are specially designed programs and services that address children’s unique abilities and learning capabilities. Organizations serving children with special needs through education programs, respite services, camp scholarships, technology, medical care and therapy, should apply for funding under this category. |
Medical / Health & Well Being Support | Medical / Health & Well Being Support provides grants for hospital programming and specialized equipment needs directly utilized by youth patients. This support also provides assistance in medical research to advance the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease as well as development disorders impacting children. Included in this focus area is funding support of DEI programming to facilitate positive programs and services to assist organizations in building cultures that are a safe space for youth in need of self-awareness support without judgement or conflict. |