2024-25 Grant Cycle Opens April 30, 2024

Whether you are seeking program/organization amplification, volunteer support, monetary donations, or any other type of partnership, non-profits must apply for a Community Assist Grant as the first step to establish a relationship with the Sharks Foundation. To keep the process unbiased, the Sharks Foundation will not host meetings with non-profits while the grant cycle is open to discuss a non-profit's program or project idea - you may reach out to us via email for specific application questions.

Please note: Due to the large number of grant applications we receive, each non-profit should understand that there is only so much funding the Sharks Foundation has available to allocate and that we cannot fund every request. We appreciate and respect all the important work being done to better our community. All non-profits that submit an application will be kept on our preferred partner list for the year and will be notified of other opportunities as they arise.

The Sharks Foundation accepts applications for partnership that align with our focal areas of giving. We dedicate a month to honor and celebrate each focal area through our annual Giving Campaign.

Focal Areas/Giving Campaigns:

• September: Latinx and Hispanic Heritage
  • Celebrating the history and culture of the Latinx and Hispanic communities, support of the Latinx and Hispanic community
• October: Healthy Living
  • Fitness, wellness, medical (non-cancer) and mental health
• November: Hockey Fights Cancer
  • Cancer-related patient care, support services, survivor programs
• December: Holiday Assist
  • Basic human services, food, clothing, shelter, holiday programs
• January: Education Equity Supported by SAP
  • Closing the opportunity gap, building the next generation of leaders, driving innovation, providing educational resources to underserved communities, pathways to employment and career readiness
• February: Celebration of Black History
  • Education, support services, anti-racism work, honoring important people and events in black history, etc.
• March: Equality
  • In line with the leaguewide principle that Hockey is for Everyone, this campaign focuses on driving positive social change and fostering more inclusive communities by supporting non-profits focused on the advancement of diversity, equity and inclusion for all, such as, but not limited to, female mentorship and women/girl empowerment, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, disabled and special needs communities. While we recognize and prioritize Equality and the Hockey is For Everyone Initiative all year, we take the month of March to highlight and celebrate the work.
• April: Environmental Awareness
  • Beautification, sustainability, recycling, science, world health
• May: Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage
  • Celebration of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and recognition of their history in the U.S. and many contributions

• June: Pride

  • Equal justice and opportunity for the LGBTQIA+ community, supporting awareness, history, and allyship

  When you apply for a Community Assist Grant, you are applying to become a partner of the Sharks Foundation. We pride ourselves on creating deep and meaningful relationships with our non-profit partners and therefore, are looking for reciprocal, multifaceted partnership with non-profits.

  Funding Priorities: The Sharks Foundation provides funding to organizations that support youth and families, with special emphasis on at-risk and underrepresented populations.

  The Sharks Foundation will not support:

  • General operating deficits
  • Sponsorships of fundraisers
  • Endowments or reserve funds
  • PTAs, booster clubs, donations to individuals
  • Organizations outside the Bay Area that cannot keep 51% or more of funding in the Bay Area

  Organization Eligibility - to qualify for a grant an organization must:

  • Be a public, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service for a minimum of 5 years including:
  • Having a "Current" status with the Registry of Charitable Trusts
  • Be in good standing with the Franchise Tax Board
  • A program must be in existence for a minimum of 3 years
  • Provide services to children/families in need within the Bay Area
  • Be available for a site visit if selected as a beneficiary
  • Adhere to all deadlines and application requirements

  Application Eligibility - to qualify for a grant an application must:

  • Fall under one of the focus areas: Latinx and Hispanic Heritage, Healthy Living, Hockey Fights Cancer, Holiday Assist, Education Equity supported by SAP, Celebration of Black History, Equality, Environmental Awareness, Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage or Pride
  • 100% of grant funding received from the Sharks Foundation are used for the exclusive benefit of youth or youth and their families
  • 51% of the funding received must directly benefit youth/families in the Bay Area (San Francisco, San Mateo County, Alameda County, Santa Clara County, Gilroy, Santa Cruz)
  • Funding must be applied to the costs associated with a specific programming element of the applying organization or the project you are applying for
  • Funding must be used by July 1, 2025

  Partnership & Activation:

  • The Sharks Foundation continually seeks deep and impactful relationships with the non-profits we support; as such, there should be an activation component within the campaign month under which you are applying between your organization and the Sharks Foundation
  • An activation component should be well thought out, creative/unique and multifaceted (ie: more than a check presentation) - how can we collaborate to show the community what we have accomplished together? How can we amplify the partnership? How can volunteers from our organization support the work you do?
  • Non-profits are asked to thoroughly explain their idea(s) in the application narrative

  Before Applying:

  • Each organization can submit one grant application per cycle
  • Do not wait! The Sharks Foundation will not extend the application deadline under any circumstance
  • Allow ample time in the event you experience technical or other difficulties with the application process
  • An application will be deemed ineligible if it is incomplete, incorrectly formatted, not submitted by the deadline, submitted by an organization that does not qualify per the outlined funding priorities
  • You must hit the "submit" button on the online application before the deadline

  2024-25 Timeline:

  • June 7, 2024 @5PM PT: Deadline to submit online application
  • June-August 2024: Review process
  • September 2024: Applicants that applied under a campaign month that falls between September and December will be notified of status
  • By January 2025: Applicants that applied under a campaign month focal area that falls between January and June will be notified of status
  • September 2024-June 2025: Funds dispersed and site visits/activations take place

  Application Instructions:

  • Step 1: Review the Grant PACKET which includes guidelines on how to craft the application narrative
  • Step 2: Craft your narrative and gather the required appendices documents so they are ready to be uploaded to the online application 
  • Step 3: Complete the Grant WORKSHEET which will assist you in filling out the online application
  • Step 4: Use the completed Worksheet to submit your online application!