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Dr Scholl Foundation

Annual Giving
$8.1M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.3M
Decision Time
8mo

Dr Scholl Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $8,110,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: ~9 months (March deadline to October notification)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $350,000 (typical: $5,000 - $25,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Illinois and United States, occasional international grants
  • Total Assets: $207,489,894 (2024)
  • Annual Awards: 365 grants (2024)

Contact Details

Address:
Dr. Scholl Foundation
1033 Skokie Boulevard, Suite 230
Northbrook, Illinois 60062

Phone: (847) 559-7430

Website: https://www.drschollfoundation.com/

Application Portal: Available through website (opens October 1 annually)

Overview

The Dr. Scholl Foundation was established in 1947 by William M. Scholl, M.D., founder of the globally recognized foot care company. The foundation is a private, independent grant-making organization with total assets of approximately $207.5 million and annual giving of $8.1 million. Dr. Scholl, who earned his medical degree in 1904 but chose to focus on foot care innovations rather than medical practice, created the foundation nearly 40 years after founding his company. Since 1980, the foundation has contributed over $312 million to charitable causes. The foundation's mission is to provide financial assistance to organizations committed to improving the world, guided by Dr. Scholl's core values of innovation, practicality, hard work, and compassion. A large percentage of annual grants support Illinois-based organizations, though the foundation also funds worthy projects nationally and occasionally internationally where directors have direct knowledge of the grantee. The foundation is led by Board Chairman and President Pamela Scholl, continuing the family's philanthropic legacy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single annual grant cycle with one-year funding awards:

  • Annual Grant Program: $5,000 - $25,000 (typical range), with awards up to $350,000 for exceptional projects
  • Application Method: Rolling review of Letters of Inquiry (LOI) from October 1 - January 31, with invited full applications due March 1
  • LOI Review: Five business day turnaround on LOI decisions

Priority Areas

The foundation provides broad funding across five main categories:

Education (28% of grants): Scholarships, educational programs, and institutional support. Recent examples include nursing scholarships at Lee University and $50,000 for advancing global human rights and environmental justice at University of Illinois Chicago.

Social Services (28% of grants): Community development, housing, and human services. Past recipients include BUILD Incorporated, Rebuilding Together of North Suburban Chicago, and Connections for the Homeless of Evanston, Illinois.

Healthcare (22% of grants): Medical institutions and health programs. Past grantees include Mayo Clinic, Mobile CARE Foundation, Rush University Medical Center, and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.

Civic and Cultural (17% of grants): Democracy initiatives, civic engagement, and cultural programs. Recipients include Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, Arizona Center for Rural Leadership, Better Government Association, and George and Barbara Bush Foundation.

Environmental (remaining percentage): Conservation and environmental protection. Past recipients include Orangutan Outreach, World Wildlife Fund, National Forest Foundation, and Lincoln Park Zoological Society.

The foundation emphasizes that these categories are not intended to limit consideration of other worthwhile projects, maintaining broad guidelines for flexibility.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly does not consider funding for:

  • Political organizations, political action committees, or individual campaigns whose primary purpose is to influence legislation
  • Foundations that are themselves grant-making bodies
  • Loans
  • Operating deficit reductions
  • Liquidation of debt
  • General support (project-specific funding required)
  • Individual grants
  • Endowments or capital campaigns
  • Event sponsorships
  • Publicly supported state, local, and federal government organizations (i.e., public schools and municipalities are rarely considered)

Governance and Leadership

Board Leadership:

  • Pamela Scholl - Board Chairman and President
  • Anne Moseley - Director and Vice President
  • Jeanne M. Scholl - Director and Secretary

Board Members:

  • Mary Ann Hynes - Director
  • Daniel Mahaffee - Director
  • Stephen Meer - Director
  • Daniel Scholl - Director
  • Susan Scholl - Director

Staff:

  • Lea Slahor - Treasurer
  • John A. Nitschke - Former Treasurer (retired)

The foundation's leadership continues the Scholl family's commitment to philanthropy. According to the foundation's mission statement: "Solutions to the problems of today's world still lie in the values of innovation, practicality, hard work, and compassion." Grants are made annually after a comprehensive review process involving both staff and directors of the foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Dr. Scholl Foundation uses a two-stage online application process:

Stage 1: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

  • Submit through the online portal at drschollfoundation.com
  • Portal opens October 1 annually
  • Deadline: January 31 at 4:00 p.m. CST
  • LOIs reviewed on rolling basis with five business day turnaround
  • Applicants notified whether invited to submit full application

Stage 2: Full Application

  • By invitation only following LOI approval
  • Deadline: March 1 at 4:00 p.m. CST
  • All applications must be submitted through online portal

Important Process Notes:

  • Only one application per institution per grant year
  • Previous grant recipients must submit new LOI each cycle
  • Previous recipients must submit final reports before reapplying
  • Applications only accepted through online portal (no paper or email submissions)
  • Applicants must maintain current contact information in their account

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Valid IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter required
  • Must provide at least 3 years of financial activity
  • Cannot submit more than one request per grant cycle

Decision Timeline

  • October 1: Grant portal opens for LOI submissions
  • October 1 - January 31: Rolling LOI review (5 business day turnaround)
  • March 1: Full application deadline (4:00 p.m. CST)
  • Mid-October: Funding decisions announced (approximately 7 months after application deadline, one year after portal opens)
  • November: Grant awards disbursed
  • December 1 (following year): Final reports due from grant recipients

Total timeline from application deadline to decision: approximately 7 months

Success Rates

The foundation made 365 grants in 2024 totaling $8,110,000. Specific success rates and total application numbers are not publicly disclosed. However, with a two-stage process and five-day LOI review, the foundation appears to filter applications early, inviting only competitive applicants to submit full proposals.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation requires previous grant recipients to complete a new LOI each grant cycle regardless of prior funding. Unused grant funds must be disclosed in writing within one year of receipt. The foundation does not publicly state restrictions on reapplication for unsuccessful applicants, though the annual cycle structure allows organizations to reapply in subsequent years.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Guidance:

Demonstrate Clear Project Scope: The foundation explicitly states it does not fund "general support" and requires project-specific proposals. Applications should articulate a defined project with measurable outcomes rather than requesting general operating support.

Geographic Connection Matters: While the foundation funds nationally and occasionally internationally, a large percentage of grants go to Illinois organizations. Out-of-state and international applicants should note that non-U.S. grants are specifically given "to organizations where directors have knowledge of the grantee," suggesting relationship or reputation matters for non-Illinois applicants.

Financial Sustainability Required: The requirement for 3 years of financial activity indicates the foundation seeks established organizations with demonstrated operational stability. New organizations without this track record are ineligible.

Align with Core Values: The foundation emphasizes that solutions should embody "innovation, practicality, hard work, and compassion." Applications should demonstrate how projects reflect these values, particularly innovation and practical impact.

Choose the Right Funding Level: With typical grants of $5,000-$25,000 but capacity for awards up to $350,000, applicants should carefully consider the appropriate request amount. The foundation made 365 grants averaging about $22,200 in 2024, suggesting most successful applications fall in the typical range.

One Shot Per Year: The foundation accepts only one application per institution per grant year and does not review LOIs after January 31. Organizations should identify their strongest, most compelling project need rather than submitting multiple proposals over time.

Recent Funding Examples Show Diversity: Successful 2024-2025 grants include:

  • R2 Studios: $10,000 for democratizing access to history through podcasting
  • University of Illinois Chicago: $50,000 for advancing global human rights and environmental justice
  • Lee University: Nursing student scholarships
  • Georgetown University: $20,000 military-connected student scholarships

These examples demonstrate the foundation values projects that increase access, serve specific populations, and advance practical skills development.

Follow Instructions Precisely: The foundation notes that staff cannot help applicants choose which program to submit, stating "applicants should identify their greatest need." This suggests the foundation expects organizations to be strategic and selective in their requests.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Illinois organizations have geographic advantage - While the foundation funds nationally and internationally, a large percentage of grants support Illinois organizations; out-of-state applicants should ensure strong project quality and potential for local director knowledge

  • Two-stage process filters early - The LOI stage with five-day turnaround serves as efficient screening; invest time crafting a compelling LOI that clearly demonstrates project fit with foundation priorities

  • Project-specific funding only - General operating support, deficit reduction, debt liquidation, and endowments are explicitly excluded; frame requests around specific projects with defined outcomes

  • Typical grants are modest - With 365 grants averaging ~$22,200, most successful applications request $5,000-$25,000; align budget request with realistic project scope and typical award size

  • Three-year track record required - New organizations without 3 years of financial activity are ineligible; the foundation prioritizes established, stable organizations

  • One application per year, choose wisely - Only one application per institution per grant cycle; identify your organization's strongest project need rather than multiple smaller requests

  • Long timeline requires planning - With decisions in October (7 months after March deadline), plan project timelines accordingly and don't expect funding for immediate needs

References

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