To be eligible for consideration in the GBU Foundation Community Grants Program, an organization must:

• Be classified by the IRS as a 501(c)3 organization. If the GBU Foundation is unable to verify that an organization is a 501(c)3 through online registries, the organization will be required to provide a letter from the IRS stating that it is a 501(c)3. All other non-profit, not-for-profit, or organizations that advance a charitable purpose but are not 501(c)3 organizations are not eligible for the GBU Foundation Community Grants Program
• Impact the nominating member’s or donor’s local community
• Meet the guidelines for at least one of GBU’s Community Pillars: Wellness, Education, Charitable Giving and Hometown Hero Support
• Wellness: nonprofit organizations that focus on health, wellness and well-being. 
• Education: nonprofit organizations that focus on the expansion of education for both children and adults. 
• Charitable Giving: nonprofit organizations that focus on helping individuals, families, and communities meet their most basic needs, including animal welfare. 
• Hometown Hero Support: nonprofit organizations that focus on supporting first responders, military and those in need during times of disaster. 

Ineligible organizations include those that:

• Are national or international organizations. However, local branches or chapters of national or international organizations that both (1) keep a substantial portion of funding in the local community and (2) offer substantial programming locally may be eligible.
• Are grantmaking organizations, including community, corporate, family, independent, and other private foundations.
• Are public and private schools, elementary through college/university level. However, schools substantially providing highly specialized programs and services to students, such as students with disabilities, may be eligible.
• Are political.
• Are controversial or serve a negative purpose.
• Support inherently religious activities, including worship, outreach or teaching of any specific religion or religious point of view.

Previous Community Grant Award Recipients are ineligable.

Organizations that have received a GBU Foundation Community Grant Award are not eligible to apply again for two years. This guideline is intended to provide more community organizations where our members and donors live with the opportunity to benefit from this exciting program.