Eligibility 

Set forth below are the Eligibility Requirements for Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company Foundation grant applicants. Grants generally range from $10,000 – $20,000 and are primarily awarded to organizations that serve Native Americans. Please take a moment to review these requirements before beginning the online grant application process:

• Grants are not given to individuals. 

• The Foundation is restricted to making grants only to non-profit organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Online grant applications must be accompanied by proof of 501(c)(3) status. The nonprofit must be in good standing with the IRS. 

• Only organizations whose proposals fall within the charter mandate of the Foundation will be considered. The Foundation’s charter mandate encompasses the preservation, promotion, and advancement of American Indian self-sufficiency and culture in the United States, including programs for (i) the development of American Indian entrepreneurism, (ii) facilitating American Indian education (particularly college, graduate, and post-graduate education), and (iii) the preservation and enhancement of American Indian culture. The primary focus of the Foundation is to support specifically identified projects. Proposals for general operating support will not be considered. 

• A condition of grant approval is the pledge to furnish follow-up reports on the progress of the project and how the funding was used to meet the objectives and purposes of the applicant. If grant funding is not used for its intended purpose, the applicant will be required to return the funds to the Foundation. 

When you begin the online application process, as a first step you’ll be asked if your organization meets the Eligibility Requirements above for your proposal to be considered by the Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company Foundation for grant assistance. 

As of June 1, 2023, Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company Foundation’s application form can be found in our Application Portal. You’ll need to create an account during your first visit. Once you have created your account, you may save and update your application as well as submit subsequent applications via either a standard login or a CyberGrants FrontDoor certified login.

You’ll need to submit the organization EIN (Tax ID#) along with a copy of the IRS Exemption Determination Letter. The nonprofit must be in good standing with the IRS. If you’re not sure, you can check IRS.gov or Guidestar.

Applicants who meet the Eligibility Requirements are encouraged to submit an online application for a SFNTC Foundation grant. The required elements are listed below, however, you can save and return to your application as often as needed before you submit.

Proposal / Content: Within the application, we’ll ask that you clearly state the specific amount being requested, the purpose of the request, how the grant funds will be used and how those funds will advance the purposes of the organization, as well as a concise description of the organization. The proposal should also contain the following: Objectives of the project and how they will be achieved; method and criteria for evaluation; recent accomplishments of the organization (if not a new organization); and how the project will address the priorities of the SFNTC Foundation.

In addition to the application, you’ll be asked to submit the following:

1. Prior Fiscal Year’s Statement – showing actual general expenses and specific sources of income.
2. Current Year-to-Date Financial Statement – showing actual general expenses and specific sources of income against the current year-to-date budget.
3. Organizational Budget – one-page line-item budget showing anticipated income and expenditures for the total operations of the organization’s fiscal year(s) for which funds are being requested.
4. Project budget – one-page line-item budget showing anticipated income and expenditures for which funds are being requested.
5. Board of Directors – a list of the members of the applicant organization’s governing board.
6. Tax-Exempt Status / IRS Letter of Determination – a copy of the applicant’s federal tax-exempt certification under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including a letter of determination as to the organization’s status as a publicly supported organization. Governmental units need not submit these documents.
7. Recent IRS 990 Return
8. Optional Materials – additional information and materials such as pamphlets, flyers, and newsletters are not required but may be submitted to supplement the application.

Once you submit your application, you will receive automatic notifications as follows:

1. Email notifications indicating that your application has been accepted for review and has been moved into the review process.
2. Email notification upon completion of the review process, indicating whether your application was declined or accepted for funding and the amount of the approved funding.

Follow-Up Requirement: As a responsible organization, SFNTC Foundation invests in programs and initiatives that are measurable and demonstrate real impact. A condition of grant approval is the obligation to furnish a follow-up report on the progress of the project and how the funding was used to meet the objectives and purposes of the applicant. If your organization’s objectives and purposes changed considerably from those set forth in the application, you must obtain the Foundation’s prior approval in writing. Grant funding not used for its intended purpose will be required to be returned to the Foundation.

The Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company Foundation Board individually reviews applications and awards grants on a quarterly basis according to the following schedule:

Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will be held and considered in the next funding cycle. Grant applications and proof of 501(c)(3) status must be submitted via the online application portal. The Foundation will not accept proposals by fax, mail or email unless prior arrangements have been made.