Stand Together Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ~$93 million
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (described as "highly selective")
• Decision Time: 2-3 months for Catalyst Program
• Grant Range: $25,000 - $200,000+ (Catalyst entry: $25,000; Impact Grant: up to $200,000/2 years)
• Geographic Focus: United States (all 50 states)

Contact Details

• Website: standtogether.org
• Foundation Program Site: standtogetherfoundation.org
• Apply for Grant: standtogether.org/partner-with-us/apply-for-a-grant
• Catalyst Program: standtogetherfoundation.org/the-program/inquire
• Location: 4201 Wilson Blvd, Suite 0800, Arlington, VA 22203

Overview

Stand Together Foundation, established in 2003 by Charles Koch, is a 501(c)(3) public charity serving as the philanthropic arm of the Stand Together community. With annual giving of approximately $93 million and total assets of $223 million, the Foundation has committed over $180 million since 2016 to support 300+ nonprofit partners across all 50 states. The Foundation focuses on building stronger communities through bottom-up, people-centered solutions to poverty, addiction, and limited economic mobility. It earned a four-star Charity Navigator rating (93%) and maintains a 94% program expense ratio, funding approximately 140 nonprofits annually with grants ranging from $5,000 to $2 million.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Catalyst Program: Six-month management/peer-learning program with $25,000 entry grant, plus coaching and resources
• Catalyst Impact Grant: Up to $200,000 over 2 years for proven Catalyst partners (quarterly cohorts of 12-15 orgs)
• Rise Program: Addiction/mental health through alternative therapies and community connection
• Heal Program: Racial bridge-building and violence de-escalation
• Build Program: Entrepreneurship in under-resourced communities
• Care Program: Community-based support and mutual aid networks
• Program/Research Grants: General funding across priority areas (rolling basis)

Priority Areas

• Poverty reduction and economic mobility
• Addiction recovery and mental health
• Community safety and violence prevention
• Racial justice and cross-cultural bridge-building
• Education and workforce development
• Entrepreneurship in underserved communities
• Research into social and policy innovations

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations outside the United States
• Top-down, prescriptive intervention models
• Political campaigns or partisan activity
• Lobbying activity
• Infrastructure projects

Governance and Leadership

• Charles Koch: Founder/Chairman, CEO of Koch Industries, co-author of Believe in People
• Brian Hooks: Chairman/CEO of Stand Together, TIME 100 Next honoree. States: "We needed to focus on the role that communities play in helping people to improve their lives."
• Evan Feinberg: Executive Director, Stand Together Foundation. "People have incredible, unique gifts and talents to contribute... when you think about poverty that way, you realize it's actually an innovation problem."
• Amber Fogarty: Managing Director, leads Catalyst strategy
• Amy Pelletier: COO/Executive Vice President
• Kevin Lavelle: Senior Vice President

The Foundation maintains 80% independent board governance with formal audit and conflict-of-interest policies.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Two-track system:

Track 1: General Grants - Year-round applications via standtogether.org/partner-with-us/apply-for-a-grant

Track 2: Catalyst Program (Primary pathway)

• Submit inquiry at standtogetherfoundation.org/the-program/inquire
• Foundation analyzes operations/impact vs. prevailing approaches
• 2-3 month evaluation process
• Quarterly cohort selections

Decision Timeline

• General grants: Timeline not published
• Catalyst Program: 2-3 months from inquiry to decision
• New cohorts announced quarterly

Success Rates

Described as "highly selective" - specific rates not disclosed. Context: 179 grants awarded in 2022; 320+ total Catalyst partners; 50-100 Impact Partners since 2022.

Reapplication Policy

No formal policy published. Quarterly cohort structure suggests reapplication possible in subsequent cycles.

Application Success Factors

Critical alignment factors based on funder statements:

1. Demonstrate bottom-up empowerment philosophy - Must show how recipients are agents of their own transformation, not passive beneficiaries

2. Prove disruption of status quo - Articulate how your model differs from conventional approaches and why that produces better outcomes

3. Show proof of concept with scale readiness - Impact Grants target organizations with established results ready to grow

4. Align with Principle Based Management™ - Familiarity with PBM concepts strengthens applications

5. Use customer-first language - Frame beneficiaries as "customers" with agency, not passive recipients

6. Mirror Foundation terminology - Use their language: "social entrepreneurs," "community-driven," "realize their full potential"

7. Recent funded examples:

   • Per Scholas: Tuition-free tech training for underserved communities
   • Family Promise: Prevents/ends family homelessness (40+ states)
   • The Phoenix: Sober fitness community ($30M+ funding 2020-2022)
   • Urban Specialists: Violence de-escalation in urban communities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Philosophy alignment is non-negotiable - must genuinely embrace bottom-up, individual empowerment approach
• Catalyst Program ($25K entry) is primary gateway to larger Impact Grants
• Quarterly cohorts provide multiple annual application windows
• Lead with what's disruptive/contrarian about your model, not just effectiveness
• Demonstrate scale readiness with clear growth plans for Impact Grant consideration
• Frame as long-term partnership vision, not single project
• General grants available year-round as alternative entry point

References

• Stand Together Foundation Official Website: standtogether.org (Accessed February 2026)
• Stand Together Foundation Program Site: standtogetherfoundation.org (Accessed February 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - EIN 27-3197768 (990 data, November 2024)
• Charity Navigator Rating: 93%, Four Stars (Accessed February 2026)
• PR Newswire: "Stand Together Foundation Announces 2023 Nonprofit Partners" (October 2023)
• Spotlight on Poverty: Interview with Evan Feinberg (Accessed February 2026)
• Per Scholas/Family Promise announcements (March 2024)
• Inside Philanthropy Foundation Profile (Accessed February 2026)