Grants Process Since 1994, Limited Brands Foundation has invested nearly $48 million in the community to support causes that align with our agenda to advance women, children and education.
Considering that we receive more than 13,000 proposals annually, the competition for grant funding is rigorous and we are confronted with making many tough decisions. As a result, we use a process that is thorough, fair and leads to a wise investment, which ultimately pays dividends for the community.
First, the philanthropy staff reviews requests and forwards their recommendations for approval to a Contributions Committee.
The Contributions Committee approves specific grant parameters and sends its recommendations to Limited Brands Foundation Board of Trustees, which has final approval on all grants. The Foundation Board is comprised of seven community leaders from the central Ohio area. What We Fund: Grant Criteria We will provide monetary and in-kind support to 501(c)(3) public charities that fit within our philanthropic focus, meet our guidelines and serve our home office communities of Columbus and Kettering, Ohio, New York City, New York and Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
At a minimum, nonprofits requesting a grant from Limited Brands must: - Be a 501(c)(3) public charity as identified by the IRS, or sponsored by a fiscal agent that is a recognized 501(c)(3) public charity;
- Serve one of our home office communities: Columbus, Ohio, Kettering, Ohio, New York City, New York or Rio Rancho, New Mexico;
- Not exhibit discriminatory behavior or practices;
- Complete an online contribution accessible through the designated link found in the section "How to Apply For Financial Support".
Priority is given to those projects that: - Have a Limited Brands Associate involved as a board member, committee member, long-time volunteer or active partner;
- Meet identified needs in the community;
- Come from organizations that exhibit strong fiscal management and board commitment;
- Encourage and explore community partnerships and leverage additional support;
- Provide opportunities for possible involvement of our associates.
Philanthropic Focus Our primary areas of focus include organizations whose major purpose is serving women, children or education. Embedded in this focus is a commitment to inclusion.
Women: - Improving healthcare for women through education and research
- Promoting empowerment of women through personal and professional development facilitating the transition from poverty to self-sufficiency
- Striving to end violence against women
Children: - Improving and promoting children's health and safety
- Working to prevent child abuse and neglect
- Supporting mentoring opportunities that build self-esteem, life skills and positive values in children
Education: - Improving school readiness of children
- Helping children learn to read at grade level
- Encouraging community and parental involvement in schools
Secondarily, on a limited basis, we will support organizations that focus on: - Talent (as it relates to our work with higher education institutions); and
- The Arts (in our headquarters community - Columbus, Ohio).
Geographic Focus Because of the volume of requests we receive, our Foundation giving is directed to only those nonprofits that serve areas where our Home Offices are located: - Columbus, Ohio (primary focus area);
- New York City, New York;
- Rio Rancho, New Mexico; and
- Kettering, Ohio.
What We Do Not Fund - Organizations that are not public charities tax-exempt under paragraph 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
- Organizations based outside of the domestic United States.
- Individuals, for any purpose (e.g. scholarships, hardship assistance, field trips)
- Political candidates, committees or organizations.
- Athletes, teams, sporting events or tournaments of any kind (amateur, professional), this includes charity golf tournaments as well.
- Fundraising events such as telethons or walk-a-thons, except for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in select cities.
- Fashion shows, beauty pageants or contestants.
- Fraternal, labor, social or veteran's organizations.
- Churches and religious or sectarian organizations, unless engaged in a significant project benefiting the entire community.
- Non-academic educational activities such as bands, choirs, proms, after-proms, graduations, etc.
- Individual K-12 schools (unless the company has a business partnership with the school).
- Public service agencies such as police and fire departments.
- Organizations that spend more than 25% of their revenue on overhead and fundraising costs.
- Organizations that discriminate against people because of their age, race, creed, gender, handicap, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity or national origin.
- Staff positions for governmental agencies.
- Requests to fund publications, audio or video productions. (Although we may make an exception if they serve as supporting materials to a project within our focus.)
- Requests to support travel for groups or individuals when that is the primary reason for the proposal.
Types of Support Limited Brands and the Limited Brands Foundation supports those organizations aligned with our philanthropic focus in several ways:
Cash Grants for - General Operating Support. This type of support is intended to help organizations plan strategically, build capacity and become more self-sufficient. The Limited Brands Foundation will not provide more than 25% of an organization's general operations budget.
- Capital Support. We fund Capital Campaigns for construction or renovation of facilities that are vital to the organization's success and help to further the objectives of the Foundation's philanthropic strategy.
- Project Support. A time-limited project must address an issue or population within the Foundation's areas of focus and have an established evaluation tool to measure intended results.
- Event and Table Sponsorships. We may be a sponsor or purchase tables at events benefiting public 501(c)(3) organizations that serve areas where our Home Offices are located so that our associates may attend the events. The Foundation provides support for the charitable portion of such events, while the company pays for the portion considered a benefit.
- Product Donations. On a case by case basis, we provide product and clothing donations to public 501(c)(3) organizations that fit within our focus of women, children and education. (See Product Donations)
Cash grants are approved for a one-year period and are not renewable unless the grant applicant requests, and is awarded, a multi-year commitment. Typically, only one grant will be committed to an organization in a calendar year. There are rare exceptions.
Grantees are required to submit annual progress reports including a comparison of proposed vs. actual budget and an update on projected results. How to Apply for Financial Support: Before submitting an application via our online application tool, please review the sections Grant Criteria, Philanthropic Focus and Geographic Focus outlined in "What We Fund" to assess whether your organization fits within our guidelines.
Requests for Financial Contribution (Grants, Charitable Event Sponsorships):
Limited Brands Foundation accepts grant requests three times per year. Applications must be submitted online through the Limited Brands website.
Grant Application must be received by: Applications will not be accepted by fax or mail. If you have any questions, please send them to GetInvolved@limitedbrands.com. How to Request a Charitable Product Donation: Before submitting an application via our online application tool, please review our guidelines, particularly the section "What We Do Not Provide" to assess whether your request matches our criteria. Charitable Product Donation requests are processed through Limited Brands, Inc. Unlike requests for financial support (e.g. grants, event sponsorship) which have a set review cycle, we accept requests for charitable product donations and in-kind donations anytime throughout the year. As with our cash donations, Limited Brands provides product donations to 501(c)(3) organizations that fit within our focus of women, children and education. The types of product donations are as follows: - Product for Fundraisers: Gift Cards & Gift Baskets
Gift cards and gift baskets for use as auction or raffle items at charitable fundraising events. Because demand for our products outweighs our resources, we only provide such items to 501(c)(3) organizations in our home office communities. Organizations may only request one donation per calendar year. - Excess Product: Personal Care Products & Clothing
Through a partnership with key community partners like United Way and Community Foundations, we are able to donate excess personal care products and clothing to qualified 501(c)(3) direct service agencies in many of our key store communities.
What We Do Not Provide: In line with our philanthropic mission, we prefer that product be utilized to help nonprofits raise additional funds through charity auctions, or to be distributed directly to those with the greatest need. Therefore, we do not provide product or gift cards for the following: - Guest favors, conference amenities or event gift bags. We will provide product for this purpose to charitable organizations only when Limited Brands is the title sponsor of the fundraising event.
- Product donations to proms, after-proms, graduations, weddings, golf tournaments, reunions, fundraisers for bands, PTAs, sporting teams, drill teams, choirs, churches, etc.
- Clothing for beauty pageants, fashion shows or fashion reviews. Fashion reporters should contact brand marketing departments directly if seeking product for purpose of a story or review.
- We do not, under any circumstances, provide product directly to individuals. We only partner with 501(c)(3) organizations.
Requests will not be accepted by fax or mail. If you have any questions, please send them to GetInvolved@limitedbrands.com. Decisions are made within 30-90 days from receipt of the proposals and applicants are notified in writing of the decision. Please do not phone for status of your request. | Review the many causes and initiatives Limited Brands has supported how to receive support Find out if your organization qualifies for support from Limited Brands Foundation. programs Read how we reach all of our associates' diverse community-giving needs and interests through the United Way. Learn how Limited Brands is bringing cheer to thousands of families in need. Through our financial contributions and volunteer efforts, we hope to empower survivors and help find a cure. Share comments or questions about our community programs. |
