The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation operates a grant program that functions in two cycles annually: Spring and Fall. Each grant request process begins with the submission of a Letter of Inquiry (LOI). Organizations may only apply once per calendar year, meaning if they submit an LOI in the spring, they must wait until the following spring to reapply. After submission, all LOIs are reviewed by the Foundation staff. If an LOI is approved, the organization is invited to proceed to the full application stage. If the LOI is denied, applicants are notified and do not proceed further. Following submission of the full application, the Foundation’s program officers conduct site visits, then provide their funding recommendations to the Board of Trustees, who make final decisions on funding awards.
The primary objectives of the Schulze Family Foundation’s grantmaking are to support charitable work in the fields of education (including scholarships), human services, and health and medicine. These focus areas define the type of programs and initiatives that are eligible for funding. The Foundation is clear that organizations should align with these objectives and not submit proposals for work outside these domains unless invited to do so.
Funding is available only for organizations with tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Additionally, applicants must serve specific counties within the geographic areas the Foundation supports. Requests for counties outside of the listed regions are by invitation only. This geographic restriction is a key part of the Foundation’s approach to community support.
For the Fall 2025 grant cycle, the LOI submission window opens on April 7, 2025, and closes on April 25, 2025. Organizations approved to submit a full application must do so by May 23, 2025. Notifications regarding the status of submitted LOIs will be sent by May 2, 2025. All applicants must first complete a short eligibility questionnaire before they can access the LOI form.
The grant evaluation process includes a review of the submitted LOI, a possible invitation to submit a full application, site visits by program officers, and final decisions made by the Board of Trustees. Applicants are notified of awards or denials shortly after board meetings. These procedures ensure a thorough and structured evaluation of each request.
For assistance or questions, the main contact is Barb Dunker, the Senior Program Officer & Grants Manager. Offices are located in both Minnesota and Florida, reflecting the Foundation’s operational presence in both states.
