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 programme 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 organisations, 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 centres on a Community Impact Model that prioritises four key areas: Food Security, Crisis Stabilisation, Children's Wellbeing, and Social & Economic Empowerment. A landmark partnership with Nationwide Children's Hospital began in 2006 with a $50 million gift. In 2014, the foundation established the Nationwide Foundation Pediatric Innovation Fund, providing annual $10 million gifts through 2023. In 2024, the foundation announced a new $100 million commitment over 10 years to the hospital. The foundation emphasises local community impact over national initiatives, requiring applicants to demonstrate direct service delivery in one of their seven target communities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The Nationwide Foundation offers three types of grants:

• General Operating Support: Unrestricted funding to support overall organisational operations
• Project/Programme 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 prioritises four focus areas:

1. Food Security

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

2. Crisis Stabilisation

• Addiction and behavioural health services
• Crisis services and disaster relief
• Domestic violence support programmes
• Homelessness prevention and supportive housing
• Recent grantees include: Columbus's Centre 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 programmes
• Mental/behavioural health services for youth
• Pediatric clinical care and research
• Youth development initiatives
• Major partnership: Nationwide Children's Hospital (2006 initial $50 million gift, 2014-2023 annual $10 million gifts through Pediatric Innovation Fund, 2024 new $100 million commitment over 10 years)
• Youth mental health grantees include: Child Crisis Arizona, Child Advocacy Centre (Gainesville, FL), Jewish Family and Children's Services (Phoenix, AZ)

4. Social & Economic Empowerment

• Education programmes promoting economic mobility
• Housing assistance and affordable housing initiatives
• Criminal justice reform programmes
• 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 organisations
• Civic and Community engagement programmes
• Higher Education/Scholarships
• Health Research

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has explicit exclusions:

• Non-501(c)(3) tax-exempt organisations
• Organisations that discriminate based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status
• Veterans, labour, religious, or fraternal groups (unless providing broad community services)
• Organisations 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 organisations (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 $84.1 million in 2023.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

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 organisation 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 $40.8 million distributed.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publicly disclose a formal reapplication policy or mandatory waiting period for previously unsuccessful applicants. Organisations whose proposals don't meet funding guidelines receive notification that the foundation cannot provide support. Organisations 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 organisations 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 organisations 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 Stabilisation, 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 organisations
• Evidence of community engagement and grassroots support
• Connections to Nationwide employees, agents, or members

5. National Organisations Need Local Service Delivery The foundation "generally does not fund national organisations" unless the applicant is a local branch providing direct services. If you're part of a national network, emphasise 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 $100 million to Nationwide Children's Hospital announced in 2024) suggest that transformational funding goes to organisations 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 organisation 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" - prioritise operating or programme 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

1. Nationwide Foundation Official Website - Accessed December 2024
2. Foundation Funding Guidelines and Restrictions - Nationwide - Accessed December 2024
3. Foundation Funding and Grant Application - Nationwide - Accessed December 2024
4. Nationwide Foundation - ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - 990 filings and governance information, Accessed December 2024
5. Nationwide Foundation - Cause IQ - Financial overview, Accessed December 2024
6. Nationwide Children's Hospital Launches "Empower the Possible" Campaign with Historic 10-Year, $100 Million Commitment from Nationwide Foundation - May 2024
7. Nationwide Foundation Pediatric Innovation Fund - Accessed December 2024
8. Nationwide Foundation - Inside Philanthropy - Grantee examples and focus areas, Accessed December 2024
9. Nationwide Foundation - Instrumentl 990 Report - Financial data, Accessed December 2024