Not every grant is for every organization, and not every foundation funds in the same way. If you’ve come across the Schultz Family Foundation and want to know whether our grants are the right fit for your work, this post is for you.
We are a private family foundation rooted in five generations of life in northern Utah. We fund people, organizations and ideas that reflect the values this region was built on: hard work, stewardship of the land, community investment and a genuine belief that there is always room to make things better.
Our funding takes different forms, from grants to nonprofit organizations doing meaningful work in our communities to targeted initiatives like the Bootstrap Grant. What connects all of our giving is alignment with the priorities that guide the Foundation: Create, Stewardship, Amplify and Give.
If that sounds like your work, read on.
Who is the Schultz Family Foundation?
The Schultz Family Foundation was founded by Mike and Melissa Schultz, people who didn’t just grow up in northern Utah but who have spent their lives contributing to it. When your family has farmed this land, raised children in these communities and watched this region change across five generations, the commitment to give back runs deep.
Our mission is straightforward: to build a legacy that creates lasting improvements for the natural land and hardworking people of Utah.
At the heart of that mission is a belief that the right investment, in the right people and ideas, can create a ripple that extends well beyond a single grant.
What the Schultz Foundation Funds
The majority of the Schultz Family Foundation’s grantmaking supports 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations whose work aligns with our priorities and has the potential to create meaningful, lasting impact.
Rather than limiting our giving to a single type of project or program, we look at how an opportunity connects to the Foundation’s four priorities:
Create
Create opportunities for upward mobility based on hard work.
We believe hard work should open doors. We support opportunities that help people build skills, pursue education, create businesses, develop careers and build greater independence.
Stewardship
Stewardship for our western lands and wildlife.
We support thoughtful stewardship of the landscapes, wildlife and natural resources that make the Intermountain West what it is. That includes efforts to preserve generational knowledge, encourage responsible use of natural resources and develop innovative approaches to caring for western lands and wildlife.
Amplify
Amplify our civic environment.
Strong communities depend on people who participate. We support efforts that encourage civic engagement, strengthen communities and recognize and empower people willing to step forward and serve.
Give
Give support to organizations working to better the world around us.
We believe meaningful change often starts with people and organizations already doing good work. We provide support that helps those efforts go further and strengthens the communities they serve.
How Foundation Grantmaking Works
Our Foundation grantmaking is primarily focused on 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations whose work demonstrates a meaningful connection to one or more of our four priorities.
Funding opportunities are evaluated based on several factors, including alignment with Foundation priorities, the people or communities served, geographic fit, the potential impact of the work and how Foundation support can help move it forward.
The Foundation’s funding committee considers grant opportunities four times each year. This quarterly process gives us the opportunity to regularly evaluate potential investments while remaining thoughtful and intentional about where Foundation resources can make the greatest difference.
Our geographic focus is primarily Utah and the Intermountain West. Five generations of family history in this region mean our knowledge, relationships and accountability are rooted here.
Ultimately, we’re looking for more than a project that checks the right boxes. We want to understand what you’re trying to accomplish, why it matters, what could become possible with the right support, and how that impact can create a ripple effect across the community.
The Bootstrap Grant: A Closer Look at the Schultz Foundation’s Primary Grant
In addition to our broader Foundation grantmaking, the Schultz Family Foundation offers the Bootstrap Grant, a targeted initiative designed to create opportunity for people who are ready to put in the work.
The Bootstrap Grant is designed for young people ages 17 to 23 who have a vision for their future and just need a little backing to take the next step. Whether that means learning a trade, continuing your education, launching a small business, growing a side hustle or pursuing another path toward greater independence, Bootstrap provides support to help turn your ambition into opportunity.
Unlike the Foundation’s broader grantmaking, which primarily supports 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, Bootstrap provides an opportunity to invest directly in individuals and their potential.
Applications are accepted once each year, with the application period beginning in January. Specific dates and eligibility requirements are available on the funding page, where applicants can find the most up-to-date information about the annual application period.
Bootstrap isn’t designed for everyone, and that’s intentional. We’re looking for people who can show us not only what they want to accomplish, but what they’re willing to do to get there. At its core, the program reflects one of the Foundation’s fundamental beliefs: hard work should create opportunity.
Who Should Apply
Because our funding takes different forms, the right path depends on who you are and what you’re hoping to accomplish.
Organizations Seeking Foundation Funding
You may be a strong fit if:
Your work connects directly to one or more Foundation priorities.
We want to see a clear connection to Create, Stewardship, Amplify or Give. Tell us not only what you do, but how your work advances one or more of these priorities.
Your work is rooted in Utah or the Intermountain West.
Our geographic focus is intentional. We are particularly interested in opportunities where our understanding of the region and its communities allows us to be a more effective partner.
You have a clear vision for the impact you want to make.
We’re interested in what Foundation funding can help accomplish, not simply what it will pay for.
Your work has the potential to create a lasting ripple.
We value efforts that solve immediate problems, but we’re especially interested in ideas and organizations capable of creating benefits that extend beyond the life of a single grant.
Individuals Interested in Bootstrap
Bootstrap applicants should be ready to tell us what they want to accomplish, why it matters and what they’ve already done to move toward that goal.
You don’t need to have everything figured out. The point of Bootstrap is to provide backing at a moment when support can make a meaningful difference. But you should be able to demonstrate initiative, commitment and a willingness to put in the work.
What Makes a Strong Funding Request?
Whether you’re seeking Foundation funding for an organization or applying for Bootstrap, there are a few things we want to understand:
- Why does this matter? Tell us about the problem, opportunity or idea you’re addressing.
- How does it connect to our priorities? Make the connection to Create, Stewardship, Amplify or Give clear.
- Who will benefit? Help us understand the people, communities or landscapes your work will affect.
- What have you already done? We believe in backing action. Show us the work, commitment or momentum already behind your idea.
- What will our support make possible? Be specific about how funding could help you take the next step.
- What happens after the grant? Help us see the potential ripple of the investment.
We aren’t looking for the most polished language or the biggest organization. We’re looking for alignment, commitment and an opportunity where Foundation support can make a meaningful difference.
Is Schultz Family Foundation Funding Right for You?
The Schultz Family Foundation exists because we believe a well-chosen action can create a ripple that goes beyond a lifetime.
Sometimes that means investing in an established nonprofit organization doing important work across Utah. Sometimes it means helping protect the lands and traditions that have shaped the West. Sometimes it means supporting stronger communities and the people who serve them. And sometimes it means giving a young individual with determination and a good idea the boost they need to get started.
Different opportunities require different kinds of support, but the question behind our giving remains the same:
Can this investment help create meaningful change that lasts? If your work aligns with our values to Create, Stewardship, Amplify or Give, we’d like to learn more about it.
Contact us to connect with the Schultz Family Foundation or visit our funding page to learn more about current opportunities.