The SBC Foundation prefers to work with 501(c)(3) organizations that have clearly stated objectives, long-range planning, active participation of the governing board and strategies that incorporate diversified sources of support. The SBC Foundation also considers grants to organizations that qualify as government instrumentalities.

The SBC Foundation cannot consider grants to the following:

• Individuals
• Political activities or organizations
• Individual public or private K-12 schools or districts or school-system foundations, except under specially approved competitive grants programs
• Religious organizations for sectarian purposes; schools organized for religious training; or religious schools that restrict entry to those of a certain faith or those belonging to a specific denomination or sect
• Organizations that practice discrimination by race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, age or national origin
• Fraternal, veteran or labor groups, when only serving their membership
• Special goodwill advertising or ticket/dinner purchases
• Sports programs or events
• Donation of products or services
• Activities that do not fit with the SBC Foundation program areas
• Operating expenses for organizations supported by the United Way since the SBC Foundation gives directly to the United Way
• Hospital operating or capital funds except under special circumstances
• Disease-specific groups or research, except under special circumstances
• Hospital or city projects, except under special circumstances
• Capital or endowment funds, except under special circumstances
• Sponsorships, fundraising events, banquets, galas or community festivals, except under special circumstances