Guidelines and application procedure

A little bit about us
Established in 1988, the Securian Foundation ensures the constancy of the charitable giving of Securian Financial Group. Our contributions program reflects Securian's commitment to corporate social responsibility and to the advancement of the quality of life and the vitality of the communities in which it does business. Building a strong, vibrant community contributes to the success of our business and is also important to our families, friends and neighbors.

For over a century, Securian has fulfilled promises to clients through the financial services it provides — insurance, pensions and investments. The Company serves nearly seven million people through a combined workforce of more than 5,000 home office associates and field representatives located at our St. Paul headquarters and in sales offices throughout America.

Contributions mission
To enhance the quality of life and vitality of our community by investing in nonprofit organizations that make a positive difference.

Priorities
We believe contributions programs are most effective when resources are directed to a few priorities. Strongest consideration will be given to the following areas:

• Economic independence
  With a strong belief in the importance of self-reliance, the Foundation places a high priority on programs that encourage, develop and sustain economic independence, including job skill training, job placement services, work readiness and career development programs for unemployed or underemployed and disadvantaged individuals.
• Education
  The Foundation supports higher education in order to contribute to the economic health and vitality of our community. Support may be provided to private colleges and universities, typically through joint federated campaigns. Contributions to tax-supported colleges and universities will be considered only if the program is unavailable through private colleges, or if it meets a particular need of the community. Priority is given to math, economics and business, as well as youth development intervention programs that encourage the pursuit of higher education.
• Human services and special community needs
  Major operating support is provided to the United Way to support a wide array of human services, community support and health organizations. In addition to Foundation support, Securian organizes a sizable associate fundraising campaign each year. We do not generally consider additional requests for operating support from United Way supported agencies. However, United Way agency programs that do not receive United Way funding may be considered. Human services organizations that do not participate in the United Way and are demonstrating a service in an area of unmet need may also be considered.
• The arts
  The Foundation provides support to the arts to enhance the quality of life and improve our community's cultural environment. Priority is given to major arts and cultural organizations that provide services to a broad audience and stimulate the cultural vitality of the community.

Funding strategy
We will favor programs that:

• Most closely match the Foundation's priorities and show demonstrated results
• Do not duplicate or overlap programs of other agencies
• Meet important needs not otherwise met
• Provide services to a broad public sector
• Address underlying causes or issues, rather than treating symptoms
• Have generated substantial support from other sources

Geographic focus
Grants are generally directed to organizations that contribute directly to the health and vitality of the corporate headquarters community and the State of Minnesota. Contributions to outstate or national organizations will be considered only if they strongly enhance the Securian Foundation's mission and priorities.

Types of funding

• General operating support
• Capital campaigns for building purchase or renovation and technology upgrades are considered on their individual merits including:
  • Thoughtful planning by the organization
  • Demonstration that its future constituency justifies expansion
  • Demonstration that increased operating costs due to the expansion can be met from revenues generated by the organization, without additional appeals to the Foundation
  • Demonstration of significant support
• Project or pilot program support where the organization has generated substantial support from other sources

Restrictions
In order to maintain focus and achieve greater impact, and in some areas due to federal law, the Foundation does not make grants in the following areas:

• Political, lobbying or fraternal activities
• Start-up funding for new organizations
• Religious organizations for denominational or religious purposes
• Organizations that do not have tax exempt status under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
• Fundraising events, benefits, sponsorships or advertising support
• Individuals or individual scholarships
• Endowment campaigns
• Athletic, recreation or sports-related organizations
• Services traditionally supported by government agencies
• International organizations
• Veteran and fraternal organizations
• Trips or tours
• Funding for hospitals or other health care services generally supported by third party mechanisms (hospitals, however, are eligible for matching gifts)
• Conferences, seminars, workshops or symposiums
• Public and private K-12 schools (however, schools are eligible for matching gifts)

Other foundation contributions

Matching Gift
The Foundation will match gifts by Securian associates, retirees and Board members to educational institutions nationwide, and arts and cultural organizations and hospitals in the Twin Cities metro area and in communities where Securian has offices. Request a program brochure or download the Matching Gift brochure and application (pdf, 120k) for details on eligibility (you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print the brochure and application).

Volunteer Plus
This program recognizes associate and retiree volunteerism by donating $100 to eligible nonprofit organizations where associates/retirees provide significant volunteerism. Request a program brochure or download the Volunteer Plus brochure and application (pdf, 128k) for details on eligibility (you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print the brochure and application).

Grant application procedure
The grant application procedure is as follows:

1. Provide a cover letter that introduces and briefly describes your program; clearly state the grant amount requested and type of support (operating, capital, project); and identify the link between your proposal and the Securian Foundation's mission and priorities
2. Submit either the information requested by the Securian Foundation which follows, or complete the Minnesota Common Grant application, and include the attachments required by the Securian Foundation. Please limit your application narrative to no more than seven pages, excluding all the required attachments

Submit your proposal to:

Lori Koutsky
Manager, Community Relations and the Foundation
Securian Foundation
400 Robert Street North
St. Paul, MN 55101-2098

• Briefly describe your organization including primary purpose and history
• Describe the geographic area and population served
• Describe current programs, activities, service statistics, strengths and accomplishments
• Describe the organization's relationships with, and differences from, other agencies working to meet the same needs or providing similar services

• Describe the need or problem and the community your program is designed to address
• Briefly explain why your organization is uniquely suited to address the problem
• Describe specific activities for which you seek funding, who will carry out those activities and the timeframe for accomplishing them
• Describe how the proposed activities will benefit the community. Describe the long-term strategy for sustaining this effort

• Describe how you will measure the effectiveness of your organization's activities, the criteria for a successful program and the measurable results you expect to achieve by the end of the funding period
• Provide the actual results achieved in the past program year

• Financial statements from your most recently completed fiscal year
• Organization and/or project budget
• List corporate and foundation contributors and amounts for the previous year. For capital campaigns, list the names of corporations and foundations that you are soliciting for funding with dollar amounts indicating sources that are committed, pending or anticipated.
• Copy of your most recent IRS Form 990
• List of Board members and their affiliations
• Copy of your current IRS determination letter indicating 501(c)(3) tax exempt status

Review and grant-making process
The Securian Foundation Contributions Committee meets quarterly to review grant proposals. You will be informed in writing on the status of your grant request within two months of the submission deadlines.

If you have any questions, call Lori Koutsky, (651) 665-3501.

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