National Opportunities




SBC Foundation

Background
	Philosophy/Focus	Formerly known as the Southwestern Bell Foundation. Giving is largely for education; support also for health, welfare, the arts, and civic affairs.
	Major Fields of Interest	Arts/cultural programs; education; health care; health associations; human services; federal giving programs; government/public administration. Programs in Health and Welfare: Support primarily through the United Way. Supports programs of applied research, educational programs, innovative programs in preventive health care, particularly as applied to youth and seniors, programs to assist those with disabilities such as blindness, deafness or speech impairment, and programs that can be replicated in the areas of children's needs, particularly those that deal with issues related to working parents, also support for programs that provide shelters for abused women and after-school activities for children. Matching Gift Program: Under the program guidelines, the foundation will match individual gifts of $25 to $10,000 per year. The cultural program has an annual matching range of $25 to $2,000. Volunteer Involvement Program (VIP): SBC employees and retirees who volunteer in a tax-exempt organization at least eight hours a month for six consecutive months become eligible to request grants up to $250. The organization can receive up to four grants per year for specific projects.
	Type of Grants	Program development; conferences/seminars; seed money; curriculum development; research; technical assistance, employee matching gifts; matching funds.
	Grants Restrictions	Giving primarily to seven states--Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, California, and Nevada. However, the foundation does support specific initiatives and non-profit organizations that are national in scope, because they positively affect issues and communities. No grants are given to: (1) organizations without 501 c 3 tax-exempt status, or to private foundations; (2) organizations that practice discrimination by race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, age or national origin; (3) hospital operating or capital funds unless a unique community need can be demonstrated; (4) capital campaigns or endowment funds except in rare situations involving local grants consistent with program-related efforts in our priority areas; (5) major operating expenses for organizations supported by United Way; (6) individuals; (7) political activities and organizations; (8) religious organizations for sectarian purposes; (9) fraternal, veteran, or labor groups when serving only their membership; (10) special occasion goodwill advertising and ticket/dinner purchases; (11) individual K-12 schools or districts, local school systems or school-system foundations; (12) disease-specific organizations except under special circumstances; or (13) religious schools that restrict entry to those professing a certain faith or those who belong to a specific denomination or sect.
	Number of Staff	5
	Assets	Year ending 12/31/96: $92,679,668
Grants Analysis
	Total Annual Giving	$21,261,053
	Number Funded	2,252 in 1995
	Ratios of Funded/Applied	Unavailable
	Typical Range	$1,000 - $50,000
	Cancer/Prevention/Control Projects Funded	Cancer Therapy and Research Center, San Antonio $100,000, 1994.
Application Guidelines
	Selection Criteria	The foundation bases its contribution decisions on the individual merits of the specific project and of the organization seeking funds. The foundation prefers organizations in communities where a significant number of SBC employees live and work. In general, projects with well defined goals, needs assessment and evaluation procedures are solicited. Preference is given for project-specific proposals that address human needs directly and have the potential to be replicated and self-sustaining. In addition, projects that stimulate partnerships among varied organizations that work to develop collaborative, lasting solutions to priority community needs are encouraged. Opportunities for SBC Foundation leadership and involvement, citizen participation and increased public awareness of a critical problem are also given preference in funding.
	Application Procedure	Local, regional or statewide nonprofit organizations in Texas may apply for grants from the SBC Foundation by sending a written request to their local Southwestern Bell External Affairs manager. National organizations may send requests directly to the Foundation. To request a grant, complete the SBC Foundation Grant Application found on the foundation web site or by writing to: SBC Foundation 175 E. Houston Street, Suite 200 San Antonio, TX 78205 Applications cannot be accepted via the Internet at this time. Mail local, regional or statewide applications for Texas to: Southwestern Bell Executive Director-External Affairs 1616 Guadalupe, Room 501 Austin, TX 78701 512-870-2269
	Key Dates	No deadlines.
	Contact Person	General Information: 800-591-9663 or Web site: www.sbc.com/about/foundation