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Slave 2 Nothing Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.5M
Grant Range
$7K - $0.1M

Slave 2 Nothing Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,500,000 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed (annual cycle with November deadline)
  • Grant Range: $7,000 - $75,000
  • Geographic Focus: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Washington (states where In-N-Out Burger operates)
  • Total Assets: $20,928,600 (2023)
  • Annual Revenue: $19,347,324 (2023)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.slave2nothing.org/

Email: S2NGrants@innout.com

Address: 4199 Campus Dr, 9th Floor, Irvine, CA 92612

Contact for Consideration: Organizations that feel they align with the foundation's mission can request a site visit by sending a message through the foundation's contact form or reaching out to S2NGrants@innout.com

Overview

The Slave 2 Nothing Foundation was established in 2016 by Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson (owner of In-N-Out Burger) and Sean Ellingson as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The foundation's mission is to free people from being enslaved to any person or substance. Since its founding, Slave 2 Nothing has granted over $17 million to organizations fighting substance abuse and human trafficking. In 2023, the foundation distributed $2,500,000 to 109 charities across the states where In-N-Out Burger operates. A distinguishing feature of this foundation is that In-N-Out Burger covers all operational and administrative costs, ensuring that 100% of every dollar raised goes directly to grant recipients. The foundation has earned a 4/4 Star rating from Charity Navigator, reflecting its strong financial health and commitment to transparency.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single competitive grant program with the following characteristics:

  • Grant amounts: Typically range from $7,000 to $75,000
  • Application cycle: Annual cycle with a deadline of November 1st
  • Application method: Invitation-only basis following an initial vetting process
  • Number of grants: 99-109 awards annually (based on 2023 data)

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses exclusively on two interconnected causes:

Substance Abuse

  • Organizations providing treatment services for individuals struggling with addiction
  • Support services for families affected by substance abuse
  • Programs facilitating freedom and healing from substance dependency

Human Trafficking

  • Organizations providing support services for survivors of human trafficking
  • Intervention programs for victims
  • Healing and recovery services for survivors and their families

The foundation prioritizes organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to addressing these issues through direct service and impactful outcomes.

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's narrow focus on substance abuse and human trafficking means they do not fund:

  • Organizations outside their two priority areas
  • Organizations not operating in states where In-N-Out Burger has restaurants
  • Non-501(c)(3) organizations
  • Unsolicited funding requests from organizations not invited into the vetting process

Governance and Leadership

Founders

Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson - Owner and President of In-N-Out Burger and Co-Founder of Slave 2 Nothing Foundation. Snyder-Ellingson's personal motivation stems from her family's experience with substance abuse. She has stated: "My heart breaks for the families dealing with the pain of addiction and for people trapped in it. That kind of heartbreak really hits home for me." Regarding the foundation's origins, she noted: "God definitely put it on our hearts. We'd both encountered substance abuse in our families. And then God exposed me to the reality of trafficking."

Sean Ellingson - Co-Founder of Slave 2 Nothing Foundation

Organizational Structure

The foundation operates with an Executive Director who reports to the Community Engagement Department Head and collaborates closely with the Board of Directors on strategic planning, goals, priorities, and fund distribution. The Executive Director also works closely with the President of In-N-Out Burger. The foundation is part of In-N-Out Burger's Community Engagement Department, which includes the In-N-Out Burger Foundation, Slave 2 Nothing Foundation, Fundraising, Community Giving, Volunteer, and Impact teams.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Slave 2 Nothing Foundation does not have a public application process. Applications and Letters of Intent are by invitation only, and the foundation does not respond to unsolicited requests for funding.

However, organizations that believe they align with the foundation's mission can take initial steps to be considered:

  1. Request Consideration: Organizations can request a site visit by sending a message through the foundation's contact form at www.slave2nothing.org/contact
  2. Direct Outreach: Alternatively, reach out to S2NGrants@innout.com if your organization aligns with the foundation's mission and operates in an In-N-Out Burger state

The 4-Step Vetting Process

Organizations that meet initial requirements will be invited to participate in an intensive 4-step vetting process:

  1. Initial Evaluation: Review of organization's basic eligibility and mission alignment
  2. Meeting and Interviewing Leadership: In-person or virtual meetings with organizational leadership
  3. Detailed Application: Organizations complete a comprehensive application form, including financial statements and IRS Form 990 tax returns
  4. Goal Setting: Selected organizations create specific measurable goals for fund utilization

Meeting eligibility requirements is a first step but not a guarantee of invitation or funding.

Decision Timeline

  • Application Deadline: November 1st annually
  • Notification Timeline: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Cycle: Annual

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, context suggests the process is highly competitive:

  • The foundation awarded 99 grants in 2023 to 109 charities (some organizations may have received multiple grants)
  • The foundation states it "can fund only a limited number of the total requests they receive"
  • Given the invitation-only nature and intensive vetting process, organizations that complete the full application likely have a higher success rate than a typical open application process

Reapplication Policy

The foundation has a favorable reapplication policy:

  • No limitations on how many times an organization can apply
  • Each request is reviewed on its individual merit
  • Decisions are not based on prior year submittals
  • Organizations can reapply each year
  • Previous rejection should not be interpreted as lack of appreciation for the organization's merit and worthiness
  • Note: While there is no guarantee of ongoing support for past recipients, the policy suggests the foundation values building long-term relationships with effective organizations

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's publicly stated priorities and processes, organizations are more likely to succeed if they:

Demonstrate Direct Service Impact The foundation prioritizes organizations that provide direct services rather than advocacy or research. Specifically mentioned are organizations "effectively providing TREATMENT and/or SUPPORT services" (emphasis in original).

Operate in Target Geographic Areas Organizations must operate in one of the ten states where In-N-Out Burger has locations: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Washington. More specifically, they should actively provide services "in communities served by In-N-Out Burger."

Show Strong Financial Health The 4-step vetting process includes financial analysis, review of financial statements, and IRS Form 990 returns, indicating that financial stability and transparency are important selection criteria.

Align with Mission-Driven Language The foundation uses specific terminology in describing its work: "freedom and healing," "enslaved by any person or substance," "empowering them to live free." Organizations whose mission and messaging align with this language of liberation and recovery may resonate more strongly.

Create Measurable Goals Step 4 of the vetting process requires organizations to "create specific measurable goals for fund utilization," indicating the foundation values concrete, trackable outcomes rather than general programmatic support.

Build Relationships Through Site Visits The foundation explicitly mentions that organizations can "request a site visit" as a way to be considered, suggesting that in-person relationship building and the opportunity to showcase programs directly may be valued in the selection process.

Focus on Families The foundation's mission explicitly includes "individuals and their families," suggesting that programs serving both those directly affected and their family members may be particularly attractive.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only does not mean inaccessible: While the foundation doesn't accept unsolicited proposals, they welcome initial outreach via their contact form or email to S2NGrants@innout.com. Building a relationship through a site visit request may be the best entry point.

  • 100% of donations go to programs: The unique operational structure (In-N-Out Burger covers all costs) is a powerful messaging point for the foundation and likely influences their preference for organizations with similar efficiency and low overhead.

  • Geographic alignment is non-negotiable: Your organization must operate in one of the ten In-N-Out Burger states. This is not just a preference but a firm eligibility requirement.

  • Direct service is paramount: The foundation's emphasis on "effectively providing" services (capitalized in their materials) and their focus on "direct service and impactful outcomes" indicates they favor organizations doing hands-on work over policy, research, or advocacy groups.

  • Reapplication is encouraged: The explicit policy that decisions are not based on prior submissions and there are no limitations on reapplication suggests persistence is valued. A rejection one year should not discourage future attempts.

  • Personal connection matters: Founder Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson's statements about her family's experience with addiction and her faith-driven motivation suggest that authentic, personal stories of impact and transformation may resonate with decision-makers.

  • Plan for measurable outcomes: If invited to apply, be prepared to articulate specific, measurable goals for how grant funds will be used and what outcomes will be achieved. This is a required component of the final vetting step.

References

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