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Sompo Foundation

Annual Giving
$10.0M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.1M
Decision Time
2mo

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Sompo Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Commitment of $100 million over 10 years (launched 2024 with $10 million initial contribution)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Approximately 60 days from application deadline
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $100,000
  • Geographic Focus: Global (Asia Pacific, Bermuda, Brazil, Europe, North America, United Kingdom)

Contact Details

Website: https://sompofoundation.org/

Address: 4 Manhattanville Rd Fl 3, Purchase, NY 10577

Contact: Online contact form available at https://sompofoundation.org/contact-us/

Grant Applications: https://sompofoundation.org/about-sompo-foundation/grant-requests/

Overview

The Sompo Foundation was established in 2024 by Sompo International Holdings Ltd., a global provider of commercial and consumer property, casualty, and specialty insurance and reinsurance. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 93-4649014), the Foundation represents Sompo's commitment to corporate social responsibility and community investment. With an initial contribution of $10 million in 2024, the Foundation has committed to having a $100 million impact over the next decade. The Foundation's mission is to empower thriving communities through sustainable and impactful support focused on education and health and wellness, uplifting and investing in organizations that prioritize equitable access and resources, particularly for underserved populations. The Foundation operates with a strategic and narrow giving approach to achieve maximum impact in communities where Sompo employees and customers live and work globally.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Competitive Grant Program: $10,000 - $100,000 (Application period typically June 1 - July 31)

  • Open to smaller, localized nonprofit organizations through online application portal
  • Standard grant period is one year, though multi-year projects considered on case-by-case basis
  • Applications must be submitted annually unless previously determined
  • Funds can be used for operating, administrative, and/or programmatic expenses, capital projects, and related expenses

Strategic Investment Partnerships: Higher tier support for in-depth, collaborative relationships with select organizations

  • Allows for deeper partnerships beyond standard grant program
  • Includes opportunities for employee engagement as volunteers, advocates, and board members

Priority Areas

Education: The Foundation invests in organizations that foster learning at all stages of life for those who are underserved or underrepresented, creating opportunities for individuals who face barriers to education due to social or economic factors.

Health and Wellness - Disease Prevention: The Foundation invests in organizations that provide access to safe, clean, and healthy environments, options, and education, emphasizing that disease prevention is critical to a long and healthy life.

Health and Wellness - Mental Health: Mental health plays an essential role in quality of life and overall well-being. The Foundation considers partners that provide access to supportive systems, mental health resources, and awareness and prevention programs.

Disaster Response: The Foundation responds to unforeseen and widespread catastrophic events in areas where employees and customers live and work, helping rebuild and restore affected communities.

What They Don't Fund

  • Political activities or lobbying
  • Religious activities
  • Organizations that discriminate based on race, mental or physical ability, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs
  • Fundraising galas
  • Athletic clubs
  • Individual donations
  • Activities outside their geographic focus areas (Asia Pacific, Bermuda, Brazil, Europe, North America, United Kingdom)
  • Projects outside their priority areas of education, health and wellness, and disaster response

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

  • Mark K. Silverstein, Chairman/Director - Joined Sompo as Chief Investment Officer in August 2005, responsible for management of the company's investment portfolio, retired from the role in 2024
  • David A. Carter, President and Director - Chief Strategic Officer for Sompo North America Commercial P&C Insurance (appointed 2023); previously served as Chief Underwriting Officer since joining in 2020
  • Nicolas Burnet, Director
  • James Shea, Director

Leadership Team

  • Jill Brewer, Secretary
  • James Mannello, Treasurer
  • Laura Haytman, Assistant Secretary
  • Marji Guyler-Alaniz, Vice President
  • Susie James, Vice President
  • Christian Silies, Vice President

The Board of Directors and Leadership Team developed the mission and high-level areas of giving following a review of Sompo's charitable and business activities worldwide. The Foundation seeks to build relationships and partnerships with nonprofit organizations who align with their philanthropic priorities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted only through the online grant application form on the Foundation's website at https://sompofoundation.org/about-sompo-foundation/grant-requests/. The application period is typically June 1 - July 31 annually.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit or international equivalent
  • Must be in good standing with country's governing bodies (e.g., IRS)
  • Must show proven success in programs aligned with priority areas
  • Must operate in geographic focus areas: Asia Pacific, Bermuda, Brazil, Europe, North America, or United Kingdom
  • Must serve communities where Sompo employees and customers live and work (prioritized)

Application Requirements:

  • Grant requests should range from $10,000 to $100,000 USD
  • Option to indicate if request is part of a larger fundraising goal
  • Must include solid budget and justification
  • Must demonstrate measurable impact indicators
  • Must show organizational capacity and effective leadership
  • Must align with Foundation's mission and priorities

Decision Timeline

  • Application Period: Typically June 1 - July 31 (annual)
  • Review Process: All proposals reviewed by nonpartial Grant Committee, then Foundation Leadership Team, with final approval by Board of Directors
  • Finalist Interviews: Finalists may be invited to participate in online interviews before final decisions
  • Decision Notification: Within approximately 60 days of submission deadline
  • Communication During Review: Foundation unable to respond to individual emails during review period

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly disclosed. The Foundation uses a competitive review process and emphasizes a strategic and narrow giving approach to achieve maximum impact.

Reapplication Policy

The standard grant period is one year. Applications must be submitted each year unless previously determined. The Foundation will consider projects that span multiple years on a case-by-case basis for flexibility of project and intended impact, making determinations on an individual funding basis. No specific waiting period for unsuccessful applicants is documented.

Application Success Factors

Five Key Selection Criteria

The Grant Committee evaluates all proposals using the Sompo Foundation scoring rubric based on:

  1. Alignment with Sompo Foundation priorities - Projects must clearly align with education, health and wellness (disease prevention and/or mental health), or disaster response
  2. Feasibility and clarity of the implementation plan and budget - Proposals must include solid budgets, clear justification, and realistic implementation plans
  3. Potential for measurable impact - Applicants required to indicate how they will identify and measure success
  4. Sustainability and scalability of the project - Projects should demonstrate long-term viability and potential for broader impact
  5. Organizational capacity to execute the proposal - Organizations must demonstrate strong track record, financial stability, and effective leadership

What the Foundation Values

Focus on Underserved Populations: The Foundation is dedicated to fostering equitable access to resources, with a particular focus on underserved populations. Applications should clearly demonstrate how they serve communities facing barriers due to social or economic factors.

Geographic Connection: Priority given to organizations serving communities where Sompo has employees and customers. Applicants should articulate any connection to Sompo's geographic footprint across Asia Pacific, Bermuda, Brazil, Europe, North America, or United Kingdom.

Strong Financial Accountability: Grants only available to nonprofit organizations with strong track record and financial stability. Organizations must be in good standing with governing bodies.

Partnership Mindset: The Foundation seeks to build meaningful, long-term relationships with nonprofit organizations who align with their philanthropic priorities. Beyond financial support, they actively search for opportunities to engage as volunteers, advocates, and board members.

Employee Engagement: Sompo encourages and empowers employees to share in their passion areas through volunteerism, a matching gift program, and employee-directed giving. Organizations that can facilitate employee engagement may strengthen their applications.

Reporting Requirements

  • Progress Reports: Grant recipients required to submit one progress report during the award period
  • Final Report: Detailed final report required outlining accomplishments, challenges, and lessons learned

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • New Foundation Alert: Established in 2024, this is a newly launched foundation with significant funding ($100 million commitment over 10 years), potentially meaning less competition than established foundations, though success rates are undisclosed
  • Clear Focus Areas: Stick to the three priority areas - education for underserved populations, health and wellness (disease prevention and mental health), or disaster response; applications outside these areas will not be considered
  • Demonstrate Measurable Impact: The Foundation emphasizes metrics and accountability; applications must clearly articulate success indicators and measurement methods
  • Geographic Strategy Matters: While global in scope, priority goes to organizations serving communities where Sompo has presence; research Sompo's locations and operations to strengthen your geographic alignment
  • Equity is Central: Every section of the application should demonstrate commitment to serving underserved or underrepresented populations; this is core to the Foundation's mission
  • Think Partnership, Not Transaction: The Foundation seeks long-term relationships and values volunteer and board engagement opportunities; consider how your organization can facilitate deeper partnership beyond grant funding
  • Quality Over Quantity: The Foundation uses a "strategic and narrow giving approach" with rigorous multi-level review (Grant Committee, Leadership Team, Board of Directors); applications should be thoroughly developed and strategically aligned rather than broadly cast

References

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