Qualifying organizations meet basic criteria to be considered for charitable funding at Truist and may move forward with a grant application; however, meeting the qualifying organization criteria does not guarantee a grant will be provided.
The following types of organizations may qualify to receive funding:
- Grants may be approved for organizations classified as 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) public charities under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This includes churches (for secular, charitable programs only), educational organizations, hospitals, and publicly supported organizations.
- Organizations, as well as the intended use of funds, must align to one of the established Truist Foundation giving pillars and must not fall under the “non-qualifying” or “ineligible” categories below. Additionally, evaluation of each grant request will be based on such factors as program management and budget, sources of income population served, distinctive features and community impact.
- All organizations must be U.S.-based.
- All organizations must comply with the USA Patriot Act.
When submitting an application, your organization's 501(c)(3) status will automatically be verified by our online system, so there’s no need to submit a copy of your organization's 501(c)(3) federal tax exemption letter from the IRS. However, if your organization is a 509(a)(3) supporting organization, please include a letter from your chairman, executive director, tax team or legal counsel that outlines:
- Whether your organization is a Type I, II or III supporting organization and the name of the supported organization(s)
- If your organization is a Type III supporting organization, confirmation that your organization is functionally integrated with the supporting organization(s)
- List of your organization's board of directors and their affiliation
If any of the Non-Qualifying criteria applies, the organization does not qualify to be considered for charitable funding at Truist and the organization should not move forward with an application. If an application is submitted, a grant will not be approved.
The following types of organizations do not qualify to receive funding:
- Any organization that does not qualify as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the U. S. Internal Revenue Code.
- Non-functionally integrated Type III supporting organizations described in Code section 509(a)(3).
- Organizations that are described in a different subsection of Code section 501(c), such as a social welfare organization described in section 501(c)(4) or a trade association described in section 501(c)(6).
- Political candidate committees, political parties, political action committees, political campaigns or lobbying activities, ballot measure committees, associations, and other political organizations.
- Religious organizations (churches, synagogues, mosques, other houses of worship) with tax status identified as 170(b)(1)(A)(i) or other organizations primarily promoting religious purposes.
- Faith-based community service organizations or schools may be considered if their programs are open to all individuals in the community regardless of religious beliefs and serve a secular purpose, such as a food pantry, homeless shelter or education.
- Private elementary and secondary schools as listed by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center For Education Statistics (NCES), unless the majority of students represent low- to moderate-income households or otherwise vulnerable children.
- Donor-advised funds, private foundations, personal trusts, endowments, individuals or families, including assistance with scholarships, humanitarian efforts, bills, or to assist specific persons following a catastrophic event, accident, or injury.
- Organizations providing grants, loans, compensation, or similar payments to donors, fund advisors, or related parties.
- Organizations that do not comply with our nondiscrimination policy, that attack or malign individuals or groups of individuals based on their demographic or other immutable characteristics or act based on other prejudices, or that have a policy of discrimination on the based on race, creed, national origin, color, religion, class, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law.
- Any organization on the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) watch list, or that has an individual on the OFAC watch list, or that do not comply with their established guidelines. Additionally, Truist Foundation reserves the right to utilize other national or international watch lists when vetting organizations.
- Any organization that Truist Foundation, in its sole discretion, considers noncompliant with applicable law, controversial, or otherwise incompatible with its mission and core values.
While some organizations may meet the Qualifying organization criteria, if the request meets one or more of the Ineligible Requests criteria, their application will be ineligible. The organization should not move forward with an application; if an application is submitted, a grant will not be approved.
- Requests that provide Truist Financial teammates, Truist Financial or related parties a direct or indirect material benefit from the organization such as athletic booster club benefits, dinners or other special events.
- Requests seeking support for annual grants or general operations (except for United Way chapters), conferences without a charitable focus, documentaries and films, medical or scientific research, membership dues, scholarships, sponsorships, fundraising events or travel-related events, including student trips or tour.
- Requests related to pledges or legally-binding financial obligations made by donors, fund advisors, or related parties.
- Requests seeking support for deficit reduction.