The Sprint Foundation

Since its establishment in 1989, the Sprint Foundation has provided more than $93M to community organizations across the country. We know the positive impact we can have, and each year we touch hundreds of education, youth development, arts and culture and other community-enriching organizations. Through direct grants and a robust matching gifts program for employees and retirees, the Foundation creatively and thoughtfully delivers Sprint's commitment to championing our communities.

2006 Results

In 2006, Sprint Foundation grants totaled more than $8 million. Nearly $1 million of this total went to match employee contributions to education, youth development and arts and culture organizations. The Foundation made 425 community grants outside of the Employee Matching Gift program that targeted our funding priorities.

Sprint Foundation Funding Priorities

• K-12 Education
  • Student achievement
  • Family engagement
  • Educator professional development
  • Character Education and School Safety
• Arts and Culture
  • Diversity
  • Youth
• Youth Development
  • Mentoring programs
  • Leadership initiatives
  • At-risk youth development
• Diversity
  • National and Local partnerships focused on key diverse constituencies

The Sprint Foundation also selectively supports regional initiatives that significantly impact the infrastructure and health of key Sprint employee communities.

Geographic Focus

Over 85% of Sprint's community grants provide support within key Sprint Nextel employee communities including Kansas City, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, and New York City. The remaining grants are directed through employee matching gifts or through select national programs.

Eligibility

To be eligible for funding consideration from the Sprint Foundation organizations submitting grants must:

• Focus on at least one of the funding priorities (K-12 education, arts & culture, youth development, or diversity)
• Support either a national program, or local program focused in one of Sprint Nextel's key employee communities (Kansas City, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, and New York City)
• Comply with applicable laws regarding registration and reporting
• Have financials available for independent outside audit and all potential contributors
• Be a nonprofit tax-exempt organization under Section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue code (unless a public school, library or museum)
• Be accredited, if an educational institution

Ineligible Requests

• Individuals
• Political organizations
• Private charities or foundations
• Organizations not exempt under Section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code
• Organizations that advocate religious beliefs or restrict participation on the basis of religion
• Requests to support travel costs
• Film, music, TV, video and media production projects
• International organizations or individuals
• School-affiliated teams, bands/choirs or events
• Marketing, sports, event sponsorships (these are handled through Sponsorships)

Endowments, capital campaigns, memorial, construction and renovation projects are also generally excluded.

Grant Application Process

The Sprint Foundation asks that you submit your grant request online by clicking on Foundation Grants Requests. The Sprint Foundation accepts and reviews unsolicited proposals from January 2nd through November 30th. Grants submitted in December will not be reviewed until January. Before starting the online application, please review the eligibility guidelines above. Your proposal will be reviewed within 60 days and a response provided within 90 days.