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Stand Together Trust

Annual Giving
$142.0M
Grant Range
$6K - $1.0M

Stand Together Trust

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $142+ million
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $6,000 - $1,000,000+ (can go much higher for special projects)
  • Geographic Focus: National (United States)
  • Total Assets: $364+ million

Contact Details

Website: https://standtogethertrust.org/

Address: 4201 Wilson Blvd, Suite 0800, Arlington, VA 22203

Phone: (402) 345-0043

Contact Form: Available at https://standtogethertrust.org/contact-us/

Grant Application: Apply via the general Stand Together website at https://standtogether.org/partner-with-us/apply-for-a-grant/

Overview

Stand Together Trust was established in 2014 by Charles Koch, originally operating as Seminar Network Trust before rebranding as Stand Together Trust in 2019. The organization awarded over $142 million in grants recently and holds more than $364 million in assets. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Stand Together Trust supports social entrepreneurs across society working in education, communities, business, and government. The trust's mission is to move toward a society where everyone has the opportunity to live a life of meaning and succeed by benefiting others. Charles Koch, who founded the organization, has donated an estimated $1.8 billion to nonprofit causes over his lifetime. The trust focuses on supporting applied research that turns great ideas into practical solutions and investing in projects that demonstrate new and better ways to tackle the root causes of the country's biggest problems. Stand Together Trust is part of a broader philanthropic community that includes multiple related entities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grantmaking: $6,000 - $1,000,000+ (grants can go much higher for special projects)

  • Unsolicited grant applications accepted via online application questionnaire
  • Rolling application process

Foreign Policy Grants: Amount not specified

  • Supports scholars providing alternative U.S. foreign policy visions
  • Brief proposals (no more than 3 pages) detailing the scope of the project
  • Previous grantees include The Institute for Peace & Diplomacy, Foreign Policy for America, International Crisis Group, and Council on Foreign Relations

Constitutionally Limited Government Grant: Amount not specified

  • Supports research and advocacy on constitutional principles
  • Application details available through RFPs page

U.S. Foreign Policy and Grand Strategy Postdoctoral Fellowships: Amount not specified

  • Supporting postdoctoral research in foreign policy

Priority Areas

Higher Education

  • Major funding priority with a focus on institutions with policy-related programs
  • Between 2021-2023, gave over $35 million to George Mason University
  • In 2022, distributed $26.3 million to 17 higher education organizations and schools
  • Recent grantees include Santa Clara University, Western Governors University, Arizona State University, Catholic University of America, Florida State University, and George Mason University's Institute for Humane Studies

K-12 Education Innovation

  • In 2024, distributed $8.5 million towards hundreds of new learning environments
  • Supports microschools, accelerators, Montessori school networks, brick and mortar curriculum providers
  • Education grantees include Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) ($5.8 million in recent year), Vela Education Fund, Tel Foundation, 4point0 Schools, Schoolhouse.world, and National Constitution Center's classroom exchange initiative

Public Policy and Advocacy

  • Supports organizations using "principles of human progress"
  • Recent grantees include Americans for Prosperity Foundation ($7.9 million), Bill of Rights Institute ($4.5 million), Texas Public Policy Foundation, Young Americans for Liberty Foundation, The Brookings Institution, The Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions, Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, and Heritage Foundation
  • Distributed $5.1 million to 17 of the 64 affiliates of the State Policy Network in 2022

Foreign Policy

  • Supports organizations developing alternative visions for U.S. foreign policy
  • Focus on securing rights and liberties through effective common defense strategies

Applied Research

  • Supports research that turns great ideas into practical solutions
  • Emphasis on research that demonstrates new approaches to root causes of societal problems

What They Don't Fund

Stand Together Trust does not publicly disclose specific exclusions or restrictions on funding areas. However, their funding is clearly focused on organizations that align with their "principles of human progress," which emphasizes bottom-up solutions, individual empowerment, and free-market approaches. Organizations should ensure their proposals align with these philosophical principles.

Governance and Leadership

Founder and Chairman: Charles G. Koch - Billionaire co-owner and CEO of Koch Industries, founded the organization in 2014, has donated an estimated $1.8 billion to nonprofit causes over his lifetime

Chairman and CEO of Stand Together (parent organization): Brian Hooks - Previously served as executive director of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, also serves as president of the Charles Koch Foundation and Charles Koch Institute

Leadership Philosophy: Brian Hooks advocates for "multi-year, unrestricted grants—essentially handing nonprofits the keys and saying, 'We believe in you; go make an impact.'" He has stated: "Trust-based philanthropy says, 'Hey, what if we eased up a bit and actually listened to the folks who are doing the work?' This approach involves fewer strings and more trust."

According to Hooks, "We believe people who are closest to a problem are best able to solve it." When asked about partnerships, Hooks emphasized: "It is essential to what we do. Stand Together, as a philanthropic community, works with 700 individuals who are partnering with us. That enables us to support thousands of social entrepreneurs who are working to find new and better ways to solve problems in society."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Stand Together Trust accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. The application process is as follows:

  1. Online Application: Apply via the application questionnaire at the general Stand Together website: https://standtogether.org/partner-with-us/apply-for-a-grant/

  2. Specific RFPs: For targeted programs (Foreign Policy Grants, Constitutionally Limited Government Grant, Postdoctoral Fellowships), visit https://standtogethertrust.org/rfps/ for detailed requirements

  3. Foreign Policy Grant Applications: Submit a brief of no more than 3 pages detailing the scope of the project

  4. Pre-Application Contact: The foundation welcomes unsolicited requests for funding and invites grantseekers to reach out with questions before applying. Contact: (402) 345-0043

Decision Timeline

Stand Together Trust does not publicly disclose specific decision timelines for grant applications. Contact the organization directly at (402) 345-0043 for information about expected timeframes for your specific proposal.

Success Rates

Stand Together Trust does not publicly disclose application success rates or the number of applications received versus grants awarded. The organization is described as lacking full transparency about its funding specifics.

Reapplication Policy

Stand Together Trust does not publicly disclose a specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants. Contact the organization directly at (402) 345-0043 to inquire about reapplication guidelines.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Principles of Human Progress

Stand Together Trust is "hyper-focused" on supporting organizations using "principles of human progress." These five core principles must be evident in successful applications:

  1. Dignity: Demonstrate deep respect for the inherent worth of every person, enabling people to live their lives as they see fit with due regard for the equal and inalienable rights of others

  2. Bottom-Up Approach: Show that solutions are discovered by those with personal knowledge of a problem, rather than top-down control. Organizations should emphasize how they empower individuals closest to the problem to discover solutions

  3. Openness: Demonstrate how your work facilitates the free movement of ideas, resources, and people to generate knowledge, innovation, and opportunity

  4. Mutual Benefit: Show how individuals discover, develop, and apply their unique gifts to benefit others, creating value through contribution

  5. Self-Actualization: Demonstrate how your work empowers individuals to fully develop and apply their unique gifts to help others improve their lives

Key Language and Terminology

Successful applications should use terminology that aligns with the trust's philosophy:

  • "Bottom-up solutions" rather than top-down control
  • "Social entrepreneurs" solving problems
  • "Root causes" of societal problems
  • "Applied research" that turns ideas into practical solutions
  • "Empowerment" rather than control
  • Focus on "principles of human progress"

Demonstrating Track Record

Most grants range between $6,000 and $1 million, with funding levels commensurate with the organization's track record as well as the specific requirements of the program and potential impact. Ensure your application clearly demonstrates:

  • Past success in your field
  • Measurable outcomes
  • Capacity to implement the proposed project
  • How the grant will scale or extend your impact

Policy and Education Focus

Given the trust's heavy investment in higher education (over $35 million to George Mason University alone between 2021-2023) and public policy organizations, successful applications typically:

  • Advance policy reforms that empower families with more options and control
  • Support institutions of higher education with programs, institutes, or think tanks
  • Research and publicize solutions to broad social and economic issues
  • Demonstrate new learning models or alternatives to traditional approaches

Recent Funding Examples

Understanding who they fund provides insight into priorities:

  • Large institutional grants: George Mason University received $14.9 million for its foundation and Institute for Humane Studies
  • Advocacy organizations: Americans for Prosperity Foundation ($7.9 million), Bill of Rights Institute ($4.5 million)
  • Education innovation: Foundation for Individual Rights in Education ($5.8 million)
  • State policy networks: $5.1 million distributed to 17 State Policy Network affiliates
  • Education entrepreneurs: $8.5 million in 2024 to hundreds of new learning environments including microschools

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Philosophical alignment is critical: Your proposal must demonstrate clear alignment with the five principles of human progress—dignity, bottom-up approach, openness, mutual benefit, and self-actualization. Generic language won't suffice; be specific about how your work embodies these principles.

  • Emphasize bottom-up, not top-down: Stand Together Trust strongly favors solutions developed by those closest to the problem. Clearly articulate how your organization empowers individuals and communities rather than imposing external solutions.

  • Welcome to call before applying: The organization explicitly welcomes questions and unsolicited requests. Use the phone number (402) 345-0043) to discuss your proposal's fit before investing significant time in a formal application.

  • Think long-term impact: With leadership advocating for "multi-year, unrestricted grants" and trust-based philanthropy, frame your proposal around sustained impact rather than short-term outputs. Demonstrate how their investment will create lasting change.

  • Don't be deterred by lack of transparency: While the organization doesn't publicly disclose success rates or detailed guidelines, they actively encourage inquiries. The lack of public information doesn't mean they're inaccessible—reach out directly.

  • Scale matters: Grants range from $6,000 to over $1 million, with higher amounts tied to track record and potential impact. Be realistic about your organization's capacity and demonstrate how you'll leverage their investment for maximum effect.

  • Policy and education sweet spots: With over $35 million to George Mason University alone and significant funding to public policy organizations, proposals in higher education policy, K-12 innovation, and think tank research are particularly well-positioned for funding.

References

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