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La-Z-Boy Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.2M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.3M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,225,202 (most recent fiscal year)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $333,000
  • Geographic Focus: Areas of company operations (primarily Monroe, MI; Dayton, TN; Neosho, MO; Siloam Springs, AR)

Contact Details

La-Z-Boy Foundation One La-Z-Boy Drive Monroe, MI 48162-5138

Phone: 734-242-1444

Administrator: Susan Vanisacker, Director of Community Relations & The La-Z-Boy Foundation

Note: The foundation does not appear to have a dedicated website or public online application portal.

Overview

The La-Z-Boy Foundation was established in 1955 as the corporate foundation of La-Z-Boy Incorporated, the iconic American furniture manufacturer. Based in Monroe, Michigan, the foundation has a long-standing commitment to supporting communities where La-Z-Boy operates its manufacturing facilities and maintains a corporate presence. Over the most recent fiscal year, the foundation awarded $3,225,202 in support to 92 organizations. Since 2018, the foundation has awarded 413 individual grants totaling $9,028,438, demonstrating consistent community investment averaging approximately $22,000-$35,000 per grant. In FY 2024, La-Z-Boy Incorporated and the La-Z-Boy Foundation granted more than $2.8 million to non-profit organizations through monetary and in-kind donations. The foundation's strategic approach focuses on supporting education, health, human services, and government/public administration initiatives in areas where the company maintains operations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal named grant programs but provides support across several key areas with grant amounts varying significantly based on project scope:

  • Major Capital and Endowment Gifts: $75,000 - $333,000 (Examples: Appalachian State University received $333,000 for an endowed professorship in applied design; $150,000 to Neosho Freeman Family YMCA for facility improvements)
  • Community Development Projects: $5,000 - $50,000 (Examples: $5,000 to Cumberland Trail Conference; $50,000 to Monroe Family YMCA food program)
  • Education and Youth Development: Amounts vary based on project scope
  • Health and Human Services: Ongoing support through various initiatives

The foundation has donated more than $1.26 million specifically to Siloam Springs, Arkansas and surrounding communities, demonstrating sustained geographic commitment.

Priority Areas

Education: Support for K-12 education programs, higher education design programs, early childhood education, scholarships, and workforce development initiatives. The foundation has a particular interest in design education and furniture industry training.

Youth Development: Youth programs, sports, arts, and general welfare initiatives. Strong emphasis on YMCA programs and youth-serving organizations.

Health: Support for local hospitals, health clinics, health issues, and national fundraising efforts for research and treatment.

Housing and Human Services: Public housing, shelters, and non-profit organizations working to reduce or eliminate homelessness. Support for food security programs.

Community Infrastructure: Support for recreational facilities, community centers, and public amenities in company operation areas.

Geographic Priority: The foundation gives primarily in areas of company operations, including:

  • Monroe, MI (headquarters)
  • Dayton, TN (flagship manufacturing facility)
  • Neosho, MO (manufacturing facility)
  • Siloam Springs, AR (manufacturing facility)

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. Based on the foundation's grant history, funding appears focused on 501(c)(3) organizations in company operating areas rather than individual grants, scholarships to individuals, or organizations outside their geographic footprint.

Governance and Leadership

Foundation Administrator: Susan Vanisacker serves as Director of Community Relations & The La-Z-Boy Foundation, overseeing grant-making activities and community engagement.

The foundation operates as a corporate foundation tied to La-Z-Boy Incorporated. While specific trustee information is not publicly available, the foundation's grant-making reflects corporate values and community commitments.

Leadership Quote: Tim Solesbee, La-Z-Boy VP of Human Resources, stated: "The La-Z-Boy Foundation is pleased to partner with Appalachian State University to support their applied design program, which is critical to fueling future innovation in the furniture and design industry."

Angela James, La-Z-Boy HRBP Manager, noted regarding the Neosho YMCA grant: "The grant allocated to the Neosho YMCA holds the potential to significantly enhance the well-being of not just our employees' families, but also our local communities."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The La-Z-Boy Foundation does not maintain a public online application portal or published application guidelines. The foundation appears to operate through:

  • Direct outreach to organizations in communities where La-Z-Boy operates
  • Strategic partnerships with key organizations (notably Ronald McDonald House Charities as a signature partnership)
  • Community-identified needs in company operating locations
  • Employee and management connections to local organizations

Organizations seeking funding should contact the foundation directly at 734-242-1444 or reach out to Susan Vanisacker, the foundation administrator.

Getting on Their Radar

Geographic Proximity to Operations: The foundation strongly prioritizes communities where La-Z-Boy maintains manufacturing facilities or significant corporate presence. Organizations in Monroe, MI; Dayton, TN; Neosho, MO; and Siloam Springs, AR appear to receive the most consistent support.

Multi-Year Partnership Model: The foundation has demonstrated commitment to organizations through repeated grants over multiple years, particularly with Ronald McDonald House Charities (signature partnership since 2008 with donations of more than 15,000 pieces of furniture plus monetary support) and local YMCAs in company communities.

Employee Connection: Grants often benefit organizations that serve La-Z-Boy employees and their families, as evidenced by comments from foundation representatives about supporting "our employees' families" and local communities.

Alignment with Industry: The foundation shows particular interest in furniture design, applied design education, and workforce development programs related to the furniture industry.

Decision Timeline

The foundation does not publish specific decision timelines or grant cycles. Based on available information, the foundation appears to operate on an ongoing basis rather than fixed deadlines.

Success Rates

The foundation awarded 92 grants in the most recent fiscal year from an unknown number of applications. Success rates are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly documented. However, the foundation's grant history shows repeated support to the same organizations over multiple years, suggesting that successful grantees can receive ongoing support.

Application Success Factors

Geographic Alignment is Critical: Nearly all documented grants go to organizations in communities where La-Z-Boy operates manufacturing facilities. Organizations outside these areas appear to have limited success.

Multi-Benefit Projects: Grants that benefit both La-Z-Boy employees and the broader community appear particularly competitive. The Neosho YMCA grant explicitly mentioned enhancing "the well-being of not just our employees' families, but also our local communities."

Capital and Program Investment: Recent major grants support both capital improvements (YMCA facility upgrades, university endowed positions) and programmatic initiatives (food security, preschool programs). Projects with tangible, lasting community impact appear favored.

Education and Youth Focus: Organizations serving youth, particularly through education, recreation, and development programs, receive substantial support. Early childhood education, K-12 programs, and higher education design programs all feature in the grant portfolio.

Long-Term Partnership Potential: The foundation's signature partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities demonstrates a preference for sustained relationships rather than one-time grants. Organizations should be prepared to articulate how an initial grant could develop into ongoing partnership.

Alignment with Corporate Values: Projects supporting workforce development, design innovation, employee wellness, and community stability align with La-Z-Boy's corporate mission as a major employer and furniture manufacturer.

Clear Community Impact: Successful projects like the Neosho YMCA's "Create a Moment Preschool Project" had specific, measurable outcomes (playground improvements, safety enhancements, educational facility upgrades) that could be clearly communicated and evaluated.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Location is paramount: Focus efforts on securing funding only if your organization operates in Monroe MI, Dayton TN, Neosho MO, Siloam Springs AR, or other documented La-Z-Boy operating communities
  • No public application process: Be prepared to build relationships and make direct contact rather than completing an online application form
  • Think multi-year partnership: Frame your proposal as the beginning of an ongoing relationship rather than a one-time grant request
  • Connect to employee wellness: If applicable, demonstrate how your project benefits La-Z-Boy employees and their families alongside broader community impact
  • Capital projects receive major support: Recent grants of $150,000-$333,000 went to capital and endowment projects, suggesting the foundation is capable of significant investments in the right circumstances
  • Average grants around $22,000-$35,000: While major grants exist, typical awards appear to fall in this range based on 92 grants totaling $3.2 million annually
  • Design and education alignment: Organizations with programs related to furniture design, applied design education, or workforce development may find particular interest from the foundation

References

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