Top brown bar image The Simmons Foundation

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Vision: To help create a harmonious, dynamic and informed community where all people have the opportunity to improve their lives.

Mission: To partner with organizations that strengthen women, youth and families while building an educated, tolerant and resilient community.

Simmons-OfficeThe Foundation will support nonprofits that help individuals, particularly marginalized and vulnerable populations, obtain resources and tools that build character and leadership and develop skills so they can improve their lives. It is the Foundation's further intent to invest in organizations and neighborhoods so they become robust and sustainable.

 

Eligibility

  • ➢ Organizations applying for funds must be tax exempt under sections 501 (c)(3) or 170 (c) of the Internal Revenue Code and be classified as a public charity under section 509 (a) of the Code;
  • ➢ Organizations must be located in and around the greater Houston area or in pre-selected cities;
  • ➢ Organizations and agencies may request funds only once during a calendar year (exceptional circumstances will be taken into account);  
  • ➢ Organizations that have been previously funded must submit a final evaluation report before requesting additional funds;
  • ➢ Organizations receiving multi-year grants may not request additional funds until the grant has been paid in full and a final evaluation report has been submitted (exceptional circumstances will be taken into account).

Details about Simmons Foundation funding priorities:

Fields of support:

  • Program
  • Operating
  • Capital

Program areas:

  • Civic and Community
  • Education
  • Health
  • Human Services

Areas of concentration:

  • Advocacy
  • Basic Needs
  • Building Organizational Capacity
  • Community Betterment
  • Empowering Vulnerable Communities
  • Prevention and Intervention
  • Women and Girls
  • Workforce Readiness

 

Restrictions:

  • ➢ Grants for religious purposes
  • ➢ Underwriting or contributions to luncheons, galas and social fundraisers
  • ➢ Grants for major medical research projects
  • ➢ Requests for individual scholarships
  • ➢ Major arts organizations
  • ➢ Grants supporting candidates for political office, political parties or PACs
  • ➢ International organizations
  • ➢ Grants to local, national or international organizations' annual giving or holiday campaigns
  • ➢ Grants to 509 (a) (3) Type III supporting organizations

Please note: The Simmons Foundation funds faith-based organizations. However, the Foundation will deny funds to organizations that require clients to participate in religious worship or practices as a condition of service. Additionally, the Foundation will not fund organizations that deny assistance, including family planning and abortion services, or discriminate on the basis of lifestyles that include gay, lesbian, bi-sexual or transgender.

The Simmons Foundation appropriately conforms to provisions of the USA Patriot Act.

Rev. 01-15-2012