Program Grants

The U.S. Venture/Schmidt Family Foundation (USV/SFF) Program Grants are intended to empower disadvantaged communities, promote self-sufficiency, and enhance community well-being. USV/SFF is a philanthropic partnership between U.S. Venture, Inc. and the Schmidt Family Foundation, focused on supporting organizations that are aligned with their mission to create stronger, more connected communities. Their approach to funding prioritizes measurable impact, organizational strength, and initiatives that engage U.S. Venture team members and shareholders. These program grants support a broad range of funding types, including specific program needs, general operating support, and capital support. However, grantmaking is selective. For the 2026 grant cycle, only nonprofit organizations that have received prior funding from USV/SFF will be considered eligible. Additionally, the foundation requires that applying organizations demonstrate a meaningful connection with a U.S. Venture team member or shareholder, such as involvement through volunteering, board service, or donor engagement. To be considered for funding, organizations must be designated public charities by the IRS, preferably with 501(c)(3) status. The foundation seeks proposals that align with its four core funding priorities: engagement of team members and shareholders, promotion of self-sufficiency, community enrichment, and support for the well-being of vulnerable populations. USV/SFF favors organizations with a clear mission, sound financial health, and strong leadership at both staff and board levels. A key expectation is that grant requests are supported by a variety of funding sources, as the foundation generally avoids being the sole funder of a project or program. There are specific restrictions in place. USV/SFF does not typically fund individuals or families, political causes, medical procedures or research, annual meetings, events that have already occurred, or organizations located outside the geographic areas where U.S. Venture has a presence. Government agencies and schools are also generally excluded from funding consideration. Likewise, requests from religious organizations seeking to expand membership or requiring religious affiliation for service delivery are not eligible, nor are capital campaigns for schools, religious institutions, sports facilities, or endowments. The application window for the 2026 grant cycle will open on December 15, 2025, and close on January 23, 2026. Applicants are advised to submit their requests through the foundation's upgraded grant portal, Temelio, which offers a user-friendly experience and live chat support during business hours. While applicants may download a copy of the application questions for offline review, final submissions must be completed within the Temelio system. Applicants can expect a decision approximately 8–10 weeks after the application deadline. Successful grantees must provide a final grant report within 12 months before being considered for additional funding. Any major changes to how the funding will be used must be communicated in writing and approved in advance. For inquiries or assistance during the application process, applicants are encouraged to contact [email protected].