Giving Guidelines

The Sara Lee Foundation is dedicated to playing a meaningful role in the community, and remains committed to building healthy and vibrant communities where our employees live and work.  Sara Lee believes that improving community life encompasses not only addressing life's basic necessities, but also enriching community spirit.  It supports employees' volunteer and philanthropic efforts through a variety of employee programs and supports broader philanthropic interests by providing grants to selected programs in communities where Sara Lee has a facility or employee presence.

The Giving Guidelines describe Sara Lee's Grants Program and focus areas, as well as application processes.  As in the past, giving - cash contributions, product donations and volunteerism - is an important part of the culture at Sara Lee.

Support will be considered for 501(c) 3 organizations especially with pioneering initiatives and opportunities that significantly impact our fields of interest, focusing on food-related programs such as food insecurity, nutrition and healthy lifestyles; women’s self-sufficiency and diverse and highly visible arts and cultural programs. This program consists of grants to nonprofit organizations in communities where Sara Lee operates.

Utilizing an Online Letter-Of-Intent (LOI) and invitational Request-For-Proposal (RFP) system, the process is designed to allow both prospective nonprofit organizations and Sara Lee to maximize time and resources in the granting process.  With limited funds, the process is highly competitive and there will be many worthwhile proposals that Sara Lee will not be able to support.

Application Process - Nonprofit Organization located in Greater Metropolitan Chicago

Step One - Submit an Online Letter-Of-Intent for review. The LOI should clearly state: the project and monetary contribution requested; the organization’s mission statement; clear goals; impact on the community and the issue; evidence of capability/capacity in the area; and evaluation and measurement. There are no deadlines for submission of an LOI, so they will be reviewed as they are received. Grant decisions are made on a quarterly basis. An organization may submit one LOI per Sara Lee’s fiscal year (July 1 through June 30). NOTE: The Foundation reserves the right to hold any unsolicited LOI’s received during the month of June so that it may prepare for the annual meeting of its board of directors. The LOI’s that are placed on hold will be considered in the Foundation’s next fiscal year.

Step Two - If Sara Lee is interested in more information regarding the proposed LOI, a Request-For-Proposal (RFP) will be extended.  Unsolicited applications will not be considered - organizations must be invited by Sara Lee to submit an Online RFP.  An invitation to submit an Online RFP does not guarantee support, nor does previous funding from Sara Lee influence the decision.

Application Process - Nonprofit organizations located in a community where there is a Sara Lee Facility and not located in Greater Metropolitan Chicago

Nonprofit organizations that are located outside the Chicago metropolitan area and in communities where Sara Lee has a facility, should submit grant requests to the local Sara Lee facility.  Requests must include:  a description of the organization's purpose; geographical area; population served; amount of the grant request and its purpose; project timetable; proposed project budget and other sources of financial support; tax exemption letter; most recent audited financial statement; and list of current board members.  The grant request will be reviewed by the local Sara Lee facility management, with primary emphasis on issues of food insecurity.

Ineligible to apply for funding:

  • Individuals
  • Organizations whose most recent audit shows an accumulated deficit
  • Organizations with a limited constituency, such as fraternities and veterans groups
  • Organizations which limit their services to members of one religious group and those whose services propagate religious faith or creed, including churches, seminaries, bible colleges, and theological institutions
  • Political organizations and those having the primary purpose of influencing legislation of/or promoting a particular ideological point of view
  • Units of government
  • Hospitals and health organizations concentrating their research and/or treatment in one area of human disease
  • Community development corporations
  • Sports-related events and sponsorships

Organizations that discriminate on the basis of age, race, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or other legally protected classification are not eligible for the program.