The Office Depot Foundation is pleased to work with organizations large and small to collaborate on programs and efforts that bring systemic change to the communities they serve. We thank you for the work you are doing in your local community. While we can not fund all the requests that come to us, we appreciate the opportunity to consider your grant proposal.
Note: Proposals that represent collaborations between two or more organizations are encouraged by the Office Depot Foundation.
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Event sponsorship (including walk-a-thons)* |
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Fashion Shows |
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Gift Certificates |
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Office Supplies or Printing (click here for information about product donations) |
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Deficit Financing |
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Religious organizations that do not serve the general public on a non-denominational basis |
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Travel Expenses |
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Project Graduation |
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Organizations whose chief purpose is to influence legislation or to participate or intervene in political campaigns on behalf of or against any candidate for public office |
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Political, labor or fraternal organizations |
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Medical procedures for individuals |
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Books, research papers or articles for professional journals |
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Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origin or physical disability |
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Capital Campaigns |
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Individuals |
*The Office Depot Foundation prefers to support programs rather than galas and similar events. |
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Grant amounts will be a minimum of $50 and a maximum of $10,000 (very limited). The majority of grants issued are in the vicinity of $1000 and are supported by in-kind donations when inventory allows. |
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The Office Depot Foundation will consider proposals from organizations related to disaster relief and recovery throughout the year. |
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Materials will only be accepted on-line through the Foundation website. Materials mailed, faxed or sent by overnight delivery will not be accepted unless specifically requested in advance by the Office Depot Foundation.
Organizations who meet the above criteria and who are interested in receiving funds from the Office Depot Foundation are required to complete an on-line Eligibility Survey.
If your organization completes the survey successfully, you will be asked to complete an online grant application. Specific information that will be requested includes:
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General: |
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Name of organization |
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Contact information |
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Date that tax-exempt status was granted |
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Chief executive's name and contact information |
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Mission Statement |
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Proposal Information: |
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Project title |
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Project description |
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Project budget |
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Amount requested |
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Program area, geographical area and population served |
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Non-profit organizations will also be asked to upload the following documents: |
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Audited financial statement |
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Board of Directors list |
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IRS Exemption Letter |
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Itemized project budget |
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Schools will be asked to upload the following documents: |
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W-9 with proof of operation as a school |
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Itemized project budget |
The online process ensures that the request meets the requirements of the Foundation's donation strategy and that the Foundation's donations are in compliance with federal laws prohibiting the funding of terrorist organizations.
Upon receipt of all of the information, the Office Depot Foundation will review the online application to determine whether the applicant and project are within the Foundation's Program Guidelines. Those that are not within the guidelines will be declined. Applications that are within the guidelines are then reviewed to determine the following:
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The priority of the proposed activity within the Foundation's goals, |
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The extent to which the proposal includes collaborative efforts, |
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The impact of the potential results of the activities, and |
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The availability of the Foundation's funds. |
When an online application reflects the Foundation's program priorities and is considered for funding, the Foundation may request additional information. This information should be submitted to the Foundation only upon request.
To see an example of an excellent proposal, please click here.
YOU CAN ONLY SUBMIT ONE APPLICATION PER CALENDAR YEAR (EX: JAN 01, 2009-DEC 31, 2009). DUPLICATE/MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
Grant applications are retrieved on a monthly basis and are reviewed by the Office Depot Foundation Contributions Committee and final decisions on proposals are made by the Foundation's Board of Directors.
Please allow at least eight weeks after you submit your completed application before you receive a response.
Note: Organizations that receive 2009 grants will be invited to participate in the 2009 Weekend in Boca Civil Society Leadership Symposium in December 2009.
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about our grants process.
Thank you for your interest in the Office Depot Foundation. If you have questions or difficulties with the application process, please complete the form below.
