Nationwide Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $39.9 million (2023)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: Several months after September 1 deadline
Grant Range: Varies widely (from program grants to multi-million dollar commitments)
Geographic Focus: Seven US communities (Columbus OH, Des Moines IA, Gainesville FL, Raleigh NC, San Antonio TX, Phoenix/Scottsdale AZ, Wausau WI)

Contact Details

Mailing Address: One West Nationwide Blvd, Columbus, OH 43215

Website: https://www.nationwide.com/personal/about-us/giving/nationwide-foundation/

Note: Specific contact information (phone/email) should be accessed through the foundation's website contact form.

Overview

Established in 1959 and granted charitable status in 1961, the Nationwide Foundation is the corporate foundation of Nationwide Insurance. Since 2000, the foundation has distributed over $700 million to nonprofit organizations, with $39.9 million awarded in 2023. The foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life in communities where Nationwide members, associates, partners, and their families live and work. The foundation's strategic approach centers on a Community Impact Model that prioritizes four key areas: Food Security, Crisis Stabilization, Children's Wellbeing, and Social & Economic Empowerment. A landmark commitment includes $150 million pledged to Nationwide Children's Hospital since 2006, establishing the Nationwide Foundation Pediatric Innovation Fund. The foundation emphasizes local community impact over national initiatives, requiring applicants to demonstrate direct service delivery in one of their seven target communities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Nationwide Foundation offers three types of grants:

General Operating Support: Unrestricted funding to support overall organizational operations
Project/Program Support: Funding for specific initiatives aligned with the foundation's Community Impact Model
Capital Support: Limited funding considered on a case-by-case basis for facility improvements or major equipment purchases

Applications are accepted annually between June 1 and September 1 through an online portal, with fixed annual deadlines.

Priority Areas

The foundation's Community Impact Model prioritizes four focus areas:

1. Food Security

Agriculture education and research
Food sourcing and distribution programs
Youth development programs addressing food insecurity
Partnership with Feeding America member food banks

2. Crisis Stabilization

Addiction and behavioral health services
Crisis services and disaster relief
Domestic violence support programs
Homelessness prevention and supportive housing
Recent grantees include: Columbus's Center for Healthy Families, Choices for Victims of Domestic Violence, A New Leaf (Mesa, AZ), Central Iowa Shelter and Services, Community Shelter Board (Columbus, OH)

3. Children's Wellbeing

Child advocacy programs
Mental/behavioral health services for youth
Pediatric clinical care and research
Youth development initiatives
Major commitment: $150 million to Nationwide Children's Hospital since 2006
Youth mental health grantees include: Child Crisis Arizona, Child Advocacy Center (Gainesville, FL), Jewish Family and Children's Services (Phoenix, AZ)

4. Social & Economic Empowerment

Education programs promoting economic mobility
Housing assistance and affordable housing initiatives
Criminal justice reform programs
Workforce development
Recent grantees include: Ohio State University, Communities in Schools of Ohio, Cooperative Development Foundation, City Year Columbus

Special Categories (Invitation Only):

Arts and Culture organizations
Civic and Community engagement programs
Higher Education/Scholarships
Health Research

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has explicit exclusions:

Non-501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations
Organizations that discriminate based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status
Veterans, labor, religious, or fraternal groups (unless providing broad community services)
Organizations that regrant funds to others
Primary or secondary schools
Athletic events, teams, or performance groups
Individual requests or scholarships
Lobbying or political activities
Fundraising events (walks, telethons, event sponsorships)
Debt reduction or endowment campaigns
Travel support requests
National organizations (unless applicant is a local branch providing direct services in target communities)

Governance and Leadership

Key Officers and Trustees (2024):

Chad A. Jester - President
Anthony L. Sutch - Treasurer
Denise L. Skingle - Secretary
Kristen Rost - Vice President
Kevin P. Scheiderer - Chief Tax Officer
Tonya G. Walker - Assistant Treasurer
Mark E. Hartman - Assistant Secretary
David A. Garman - Assistant Secretary

Board of Trustees:

Kirt A. Walker
Brent R. Porteus
Stephen F. Hirsch
Marc A. Howze
Michael J. Toelle
Pamela K. M. Beall

All officers and trustees serve in a volunteer capacity without compensation. The foundation had total assets of $90.2 million in 2024.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Current Status: The Nationwide Foundation is not currently accepting applications for the 2026 grant cycle. Information about the 2027 grant cycle will be posted by April 2026.

Standard Application Window: June 1 - September 1 (annually)

Mandatory Training Requirement: All eligible applicants must attend a 45-minute virtual grant training session before submitting an application. This requirement has no exceptions.

Application Method: Online portal only (available on the foundation's website)

Application Deadline: September 1 at 11:59 PM ET - no late submissions accepted under any circumstances

Required Documentation:

Charitable tax ID/EIN number
IRS 501(c)(3) Letter of Determination
Operating budget and project budget (if applicable)
Most recent audited financial statements
Complete list of board members with names and addresses
Comprehensive funder list showing all submitted requests, amounts, and approval statuses
Logic model demonstrating the connection between planned work and intended results

Application Restrictions:

Only one proposal per organization per grant cycle
Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed
Applications must be submitted through the online portal (no physical materials accepted)
No videos, binders, or supplementary materials

Confirmation: Applicants receive email confirmation upon submission and can track status through the "Submitted Applications" section of the portal.

Decision Timeline

Timeline: Decision notifications are typically sent several months after the September 1 deadline. Specific timelines are not publicly disclosed but applicants should expect a multi-month review process.

Notification Method: Email notification with status updates available through the online application portal.

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose application statistics or success rates. However, given the foundation's selective focus on seven geographic communities and strict eligibility criteria, the application process is competitive.

In 2023, the foundation awarded $39.9 million in grants, with 2022 seeing $41.5 million distributed.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publicly disclose a formal reapplication policy or mandatory waiting period for previously unsuccessful applicants. Organizations whose proposals don't meet funding guidelines receive notification that the foundation cannot provide support. Organizations with questions about their eligibility or reapplication status should contact the foundation directly through their website's contact form.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented guidance and priorities:

1. Geographic Alignment is Critical The foundation exclusively supports organizations providing direct services in their seven target communities: Columbus OH, Des Moines IA, Gainesville FL, Raleigh NC, San Antonio TX, Phoenix/Scottsdale AZ, and Wausau WI. Applications from organizations outside these areas or without substantial presence in these communities are not funded.

2. Demonstrate Community Impact Through Logic Models The foundation requires a logic model within the application. This tool must clearly illustrate the connection between your planned work and intended results. Strong logic models show:

Clear input-to-output pathways
Measurable outcomes aligned with one of the four priority areas
Evidence-based approaches with demonstrated effectiveness

3. Align Clearly With One of Four Priority Areas Applications must fit squarely within Food Security, Crisis Stabilization, Children's Wellbeing, or Social & Economic Empowerment. The foundation uses these categories to make funding decisions - ambiguous fit or attempts to appeal to multiple areas may weaken your application.

4. Show Local Community Support While not explicitly stated in guidelines, successful applicants should demonstrate local community support through:

Letters of recommendation from community partners
Partnerships with other local organizations
Evidence of community engagement and grassroots support
Connections to Nationwide employees, agents, or members

5. National Organizations Need Local Service Delivery The foundation "generally does not fund national organizations" unless the applicant is a local branch providing direct services. If you're part of a national network, emphasize your local autonomy, local board governance, and direct service delivery in one of the seven target communities.

6. Complete the Mandatory Training Attending the 45-minute virtual training is non-negotiable. This training likely provides insights into what the foundation values in applications and common mistakes to avoid. Take detailed notes during this session.

7. Showcase Financial Transparency The foundation requires audited financial statements and comprehensive funder lists. This suggests they value financial accountability, transparency, and diversified funding sources. Be prepared to show:

Sound financial management
Diverse revenue streams (not over-reliant on any single funder)
Clear tracking of outcomes and expenditures

8. Major Grants Go to Established Relationships The foundation's largest commitments (such as the $150 million to Nationwide Children's Hospital) suggest that transformational funding goes to organizations with established relationships. First-time applicants should set realistic expectations about grant size.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Geography is everything: If you don't provide direct services in Columbus OH, Des Moines IA, Gainesville FL, Raleigh NC, San Antonio TX, Phoenix/Scottsdale AZ, or Wausau WI, don't apply - you won't be funded.
Complete the mandatory training: The 45-minute virtual session is required with no exceptions - plan ahead and register early when the application window opens.
Master the logic model: This is a required component of your application. Invest time in developing a clear, compelling logic model that shows measurable impact aligned with their Community Impact Model.
One shot per year: With one proposal allowed per organization per cycle and a fixed September 1 deadline, ensure your application is polished, complete, and compelling before submission.
Arts, culture, higher education, and health research require invitations: If you work in these sectors and haven't received an invitation, focus your energy on other funders.
Capital support is rare: The foundation considers capital requests on a "case-by-case basis" - prioritize operating or program support requests for stronger odds.
Demonstrate Nationwide connections: The foundation exists to support communities where Nationwide members, associates, and partners live and work - highlight any connections to Nationwide employees, agents, or policyholders in your community.

References

Nationwide Foundation Official Website - Accessed December 2024
Foundation Funding Guidelines and Restrictions - Nationwide - Accessed December 2024
Foundation Funding and Grant Application - Nationwide - Accessed December 2024
Nationwide Foundation - ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - 990 filings and governance information, Accessed December 2024
Nationwide Foundation - Cause IQ - Financial overview, Accessed December 2024
New $10 million Nationwide Foundation donation - Nationwide Children's Hospital Press Release - September 2023
Nationwide Foundation - Inside Philanthropy - Grantee examples and focus areas, Accessed December 2024
Nationwide Foundation - Instrumentl 990 Report - Financial data, Accessed December 2024