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Click here to learn about product donations from the Office Depot Foundation.

▪ Grant Making Guidelines
▪ Application Process
▪ Review Process
▪ FAQs

The 2013 Office Depot Foundation grant cycle is now open. Applications will be accepted through October 2013.

The Foundation is not accepting requests or applications for the National Backpack Program. Please do not submit requests to the Foundation or to Office Depot stores. Thank you.

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.

The Foundation will give first consideration to applicants that:

▪	Submit proposals that represent collaborations between two or more non-profit organizations and/or other partners. In other words, the Foundation encourages projects in which two or more non-profit organizations – or a non-profit organization and a school, a business or a government agency – work together to accomplish a goal or serve a need.
▪	Provide proof of disaster planning.
▪	Participate in the Office Depot Foundation's annual Weekend in Boca Civil Society Leadership Symposium.
▪	Utilize the Office Depot Foundation Caring Connection to recruit volunteers or to track volunteer activities/hours.

Grant Making Guidelines

The Foundation will NOT consider requests for:

▪	Event sponsorship (including walk-a-thons)*
▪	Fashion Shows
▪	Gift Certificates
▪	Office Supplies or Printing
▪	Deficit Financing
▪	Religious organizations that do not serve the general public on a non-denominational basis
▪	Travel Expenses
▪	Project Graduation
▪	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
▪	Political, labor or fraternal organizations
▪	Medical procedures for individuals
▪	Books, research papers or articles for professional journals
▪	Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origin or physical disability
▪	Capital Campaigns
▪	Individuals

* The Office Depot Foundation prefers to support programs rather than galas and similar events.

Application Process

▪	Grant amounts will be a minimum of $50 and a maximum of $3,000 (very limited). The majority of grants issued are in the vicinity of $1,000 and are supported by in-kind donations when inventory allows.
▪	The Office Depot Foundation will consider proposals from organizations related to disaster relief and recovery throughout the year.

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:


General:
▪	Name of organization
▪	Tax ID Number
▪	Contact information
▪	Date that tax-exempt status was granted
▪	Chief executive's name and contact information
▪	Mission Statement

Proposal Information:
▪	Project title
▪	Project description
▪	Project budget
▪	Amount requested
▪	Program area, geographical area and population served
▪	Will the program be sustainable without funding from the Office Depot Foundation?
▪	List your organization's top five contributors.

Non-profit organizations will also be asked to upload the following documents:
▪	Audited financial statement
▪	Board of Directors list
▪	IRS Exemption Letter
▪	Itemized project budget
▪	Non-SKU-specific product wish list
▪	Business continuity/disaster preparedness plan (if available)
▪	FREE Emergency Response Plan Template
▪	DRB Toolkit

Schools will be asked to upload the following documents:
▪	W-9 with proof of operation as a school
▪	Itemized project budget
▪	Non-SKU-specific product wish list

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:

▪	The priority of the proposed activity within the Foundation's goals,
▪	The extent to which the proposal includes collaborative efforts,
▪	The impact of the potential results of the activities, and
▪	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 a successful proposal, please click here.

YOU CAN ONLY SUBMIT ONE APPLICATION PER CALENDAR YEAR (EX: JAN 01-DEC 31). DUPLICATE/MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Review Process

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 twelve weeks after you submit your completed application before you receive a response.

Note: Organizations that receive 2013 grants will be invited to participate in the 2014 Weekend in Boca Civil Society Leadership Symposium.

Follow-Up Requirements for Grantees
▪	Complete and return a donation receipt form within five (5) business days of receiving a grant.
▪	Prepare and submit a business continuity/disaster preparedness plan within 12 months of receiving a grant. For information, click here.

Eligibility Survey

To determine your eligibility and begin the online grant application process:

Click here if you represent a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Click here if you represent a school, library or government agency.

The Office Depot Foundation will consider proposals from organizations related to disaster relief and recovery throughout the year. If your proposal relates specifically to disaster relief and recovery, click here to determine your eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about our grants process.

Please do NOT use this form to submit donation requests. We will not consider or respond to any donation requests submitted via this form. Please complete an online application when the grant cycle is open.

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.

*Name:
*E-mail Address:
*Organization:
*Your message: