What We Support

Focused Grants

We fund grants in two focused areas through invitation-only, competitive grant processes. You can learn more about the details and criteria specific to each through the links below. If you believe your organization may be a good fit with one of these areas, please feel free to email us to describe the alignment. We ask that you also thoroughly review our General Funding Guidelines below before sending your message. See the Contact Us page for details.

  • College Success Grants
    Herb Scheidel believed that a college education provides the greatest lever for economic empowerment. We, too, believe this to be true and are honored to continue what he began by supporting efforts that help students with low resources complete college and prepare for a thriving career.
  • Integrative Cancer Care
    After his diagnosis of stage IV kidney cancer, Herb Scheidel lived another nine vibrant years using a proactive, holistic approach to his disease. The Foundation is passionate about investing in the evolution of the field of integrative cancer care, enabling others who live with cancer and their families to experience the potential for extended life with greater depth and quality.

General Funding Guidelines for Focused Grants

Funding areas are restricted to charitable organizations which qualify as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code or to public educational institutions. In very rare circumstances, the Foundation will make expenditure responsibility grants to international organizations with which it has direct contact.

The Foundation does not fund:

  • Individuals
  • Legislative lobbying
  • Activities that directly or indirectly participate or intervene in political campaigns on behalf of any candidate for public office
  • Promotion of specific religious doctrine
  • Overhead rates above 10% for grants that go to or through universities, hospitals, or other large research institutions. Discretion will be applied for grants to other types of organizations to determine a reasonable overhead limit based on factors such as organizational budget, project, and general situation.

The Foundation is particularly interested in:

  • Strategic grants that have a transformative and/or catalytic effect on the targeted issue or the organization’s capacity
  • Seed money to begin new and innovative programs, with a detailed evaluation component to prove success to potential new funders
  • Proposals that create long-term solutions
  • Organizations and programs that cooperate with other community resources/agencies
  • Proposals that leverage additional resources (through matched funding or government programs)

Other Grants

A portion of our grantmaking each year goes toward efforts outside of our two primary focus areas. These grants are directed by our Foundation (no unsolicited proposals or inquiries are accepted) and have a domestic and international scope.

  • Discretionary Grants
    The Scheidel Foundation sets aside funds to be directed at the request of family members as part of its Discretionary Grants Program. The purpose of the program is to instill an aware and involved philanthropic culture among the Scheidel family members.
  • Legacy Grants
    A small number of grants are made each year to organizations with ties to our late founder.
  • Emergency/Relief Grants
    Periodic grants are made in response to domestic or international emergencies.

Other College Completion Activities

Through additional programs and partnerships, the Foundation works to help individuals prepare for and persevere through college to achieve their educational and career goals.