Sundance Family Foundation - Grant Guidelines

Human Services and
Supportive Housing Program
(Invitation Only)

International
Program

Youth Social
Entrepreneurship Pilot

Youth Social Entrepreneurship Guideline

Exploratory Pilot Program - 2007

Mission: The Sundance Family Foundation supports and strengthens family stability worldwide.

In support of our mission, the Sundance Family Foundation is interested in exploring ways to support local organizations that help youth through social entrepreneurial programs and entrepreneurial training programs. This new funding initiative is an exploratory pilot program for the Foundation and may only last for one year. In 2007, the Sundance Family Foundation hopes to make between one and three grants in this area. The grants are likely to fall in the $5,000 to $25,000 range.

This year the Sundance Family Foundation will fund youth entrepreneurship training programs and social entrepreneurship programs that incorporate a social value mission with practical methods for entrepreneurial innovation, skill development, accountability, and sustainable funding. The goal of the Foundation in these areas is to support mentorship and leadership to succeed academically, economically, and personally.

Funding Parameters

The Foundation invites proposals that fit within either (or both) of the following program options.

Option 1: Social Entrepreneurship Program

We invite grant proposals from 501(c)(3) organizations for programs that:

Grow from a social value mission.
Implement and teach entrepreneurial principles and practices.
Establish groundwork for long-term sustainability.
Involve youth actively in planning and leadership roles.
Focus beyond basic needs to build intellectual, social, economic and emotional strengths.
Engage at risk youth who are in transition between the ages of 12 and 25.

Option 2: Youth Enterprise Program

We invite grant proposals from 501(c)(3) organizations for programs that:

Provide entrepreneurship training.
Teach the skills of financial literacy, personal money management, business practices and job seeking skills.
Support and guide students through the steps of business planning and forming their own enterprise.
Support the initial stages of new student-run enterprises.
Focus beyond basic needs to build intellectual, social, economic and emotional strengths.
Engage at risk youth who are in transition between the ages of 12 and 25.

Geographic Parameters

Sundance Family Foundation will focus their giving to organizations whose programming benefits the residents of the following Minnesota and Wisconsin counties: Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington, Chisago, Polk and St. Croix.

Proposals must be presented by 501(c)(3) organizations that have been in existence for three years at the time of application to the Foundation.

Program Priorities:

Priority will likely be placed on programs that –

Contain elements of Social Entrepreneurship (click here)
Address the needs of youth in transition.
Provide opportunity and encouragement for active family participation with the youth in the program.