Since 1945, the Funeral Service Foundation has served as the philanthropic voice of the funeral profession and has identified as the charitable arm of the National Funeral Directors Association since 1997. Donors and volunteers profession-wide support the Foundation in its mission to lift up grieving communities by investing in people and programs that strengthen funeral service.
Eligible Projects
Non-profit organizations may apply for funding for projects of national scope and significance that are aligned with the Foundation's mission of strengthening funeral service. Local or regional organizations applying for a grant must demonstrate the capacity and intent to deliver the program or project to a national audience or be replicable on a national scale.
The submitted project must align with the granting philosophy described above and be structured to provide visibility for the Funeral Service Foundation as the granting organization.
Grant requests from US 501(c)3 non-profit and Canadian registered charitable organizations will be considered. Non-exempt organizations can apply for funding only when working in conjunction with an exempt organization.
Funding Priorities
Each year, the Foundation devotes adequate resources to research, education, and other initiatives with a national/international scope that advance the practice of funeral service, the knowledge of funeral service professionals, and greater public awareness of the profession.
The Foundation places its highest funding priorities on projects and initiatives with a national/international scope that impact the Foundation's two giving pillars:
- Fuel the careers of funeral service professionals through scholarships, professional development, outreach, and tools and resources.
- Fund and promote initiatives that outreach that make a measurable impact on funeral service.
Ineligible Projects
The Foundation is focused on grants to projects that are consistent with our mission. The following categories of grant requests will not be considered:
- The costs associated with burials, memorialization, cremations, etc.
- Local or regional initiatives that cannot be reproduced on a national scale
- Individual scholarships outside of the Foundation’s scholarship program
- Ongoing operating expenses
- Debt Reduction
- Projects with a narrow religious purpose or focus
- Capital construction projects
- Endowment campaigns
- Tickets or sponsorships for charitable events
- Political campaigns or lobbying efforts
Required Submission Information
In addition to your organization’s contact information, when submitting your grant application, you will be asked to provide the following:
Organizational Information
- US Federal Tax ID, most recent 990, or Canadian equivalent
- Proof of your tax-exempt status
- Contact Information
- Mission Statement
- Operating Budget
- Most recent audited financial statements
- Names of governing board members and staff
- Hi-res company logo
Project/Program Narratives
- Explain why you are requesting funds, and how/where they will be directed.
- Discuss your capacity to deliver.
- If funded, how will your organization define the success of this program/project?
- If funded, how will your organization measure the success of this program/project?
- Do you anticipate any obstacles in completing this program/project successfully?
- Are you collaborating with other organizations or businesses on this project?
- How will you publicly acknowledge the Foundation's support?
Grant/Budget Information
- Requested amount and date funds are needed.
- Funding priority area, estimated number of individuals served, and target population.
- Detailed project budget and supporting materials.
Review Process
The Grants Committee will review proposals to determine/ensure:
- The project aligns with the Foundation’s grantmaking philosophy.
- The project is of national/international scope and significance.
- Demonstrated need for the project or program.
- Fiscal health and stability of organization.
- Applicants have the capacity to deliver an effective program with results-oriented, defined and measurable outcomes.
- The program has the potential to become sustainable or replicated.
- Collaboration is meaningful with responsibilities clearly defined.
- Quality and effectiveness of the project.
For more information about grants and available resources, please visit: https://www.funeralservicefoundation.org.
Funeral Service Foundation Grant Application
Since 1945, the Funeral Service Foundation has served as the philanthropic voice of the funeral profession and has identified as the charitable arm of the National Funeral Directors Association since 1997. Donors and volunteers profession-wide support the Foundation in its mission to lift up grieving communities by investing in people and programs that strengthen funeral service.
Eligible Projects
Non-profit organizations may apply for funding for projects of national scope and significance that are aligned with the Foundation's mission of strengthening funeral service. Local or regional organizations applying for a grant must demonstrate the capacity and intent to deliver the program or project to a national audience or be replicable on a national scale.
The submitted project must align with the granting philosophy described above and be structured to provide visibility for the Funeral Service Foundation as the granting organization.
Grant requests from US 501(c)3 non-profit and Canadian registered charitable organizations will be considered. Non-exempt organizations can apply for funding only when working in conjunction with an exempt organization.
Funding Priorities
Each year, the Foundation devotes adequate resources to research, education, and other initiatives with a national/international scope that advance the practice of funeral service, the knowledge of funeral service professionals, and greater public awareness of the profession.
The Foundation places its highest funding priorities on projects and initiatives with a national/international scope that impact the Foundation's two giving pillars:
- Fuel the careers of funeral service professionals through scholarships, professional development, outreach, and tools and resources.
- Fund and promote initiatives that outreach that make a measurable impact on funeral service.
Ineligible Projects
The Foundation is focused on grants to projects that are consistent with our mission. The following categories of grant requests will not be considered:
- The costs associated with burials, memorialization, cremations, etc.
- Local or regional initiatives that cannot be reproduced on a national scale
- Individual scholarships outside of the Foundation’s scholarship program
- Ongoing operating expenses
- Debt Reduction
- Projects with a narrow religious purpose or focus
- Capital construction projects
- Endowment campaigns
- Tickets or sponsorships for charitable events
- Political campaigns or lobbying efforts
Required Submission Information
In addition to your organization’s contact information, when submitting your grant application, you will be asked to provide the following:
Organizational Information
- US Federal Tax ID, most recent 990, or Canadian equivalent
- Proof of your tax-exempt status
- Contact Information
- Mission Statement
- Operating Budget
- Most recent audited financial statements
- Names of governing board members and staff
- Hi-res company logo
Project/Program Narratives
- Explain why you are requesting funds, and how/where they will be directed.
- Discuss your capacity to deliver.
- If funded, how will your organization define the success of this program/project?
- If funded, how will your organization measure the success of this program/project?
- Do you anticipate any obstacles in completing this program/project successfully?
- Are you collaborating with other organizations or businesses on this project?
- How will you publicly acknowledge the Foundation's support?
Grant/Budget Information
- Requested amount and date funds are needed.
- Funding priority area, estimated number of individuals served, and target population.
- Detailed project budget and supporting materials.
Review Process
The Grants Committee will review proposals to determine/ensure:
- The project aligns with the Foundation’s grantmaking philosophy.
- The project is of national/international scope and significance.
- Demonstrated need for the project or program.
- Fiscal health and stability of organization.
- Applicants have the capacity to deliver an effective program with results-oriented, defined and measurable outcomes.
- The program has the potential to become sustainable or replicated.
- Collaboration is meaningful with responsibilities clearly defined.
- Quality and effectiveness of the project.
For more information about grants and available resources, please visit: https://www.funeralservicefoundation.org.