The Dr. Scholl Foundation, established in 1947 by Dr. William M. Scholl, is a private, independent foundation dedicated to providing financial support to organizations that are committed to improving society. Guided by the values of innovation, practicality, hard work, and compassion, the foundation continues Dr. Scholl’s vision of creating positive global impacts, particularly through grants to U.S.-based organizations. Though most grants are made domestically, the foundation occasionally supports international initiatives where its directors have a deep knowledge of the grantees.

The foundation offers grants in several broad areas: education, social services, healthcare, civic and cultural projects, and environmental causes. These categories allow flexibility, enabling the foundation to consider a wide range of worthwhile projects. However, organizations seeking funding must meet specific eligibility requirements. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations with at least three years of financial history. The foundation does not fund individual grants, political organizations, or capital campaigns, and public schools or government entities are rarely considered for grants. Additionally, general operational support, deficit reduction, and event sponsorship requests are not typically funded.

The application process involves two steps. First, applicants submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) through the Dr. Scholl Foundation’s portal starting October 1. LOIs are reviewed within five business days. If the LOI is approved, applicants are invited to complete a full grant application, which must be submitted by March 1 at 4:00 p.m. CST. Applicants are encouraged to apply early following LOI approval to avoid missing the deadline. Funding decisions for the grant cycle are communicated in October, with disbursement of funds occurring in November. For example, applications submitted by March 1, 2025, will be considered for Q4 2025 grant funding.

The foundation prioritizes projects that offer innovative solutions to current challenges and demonstrates a strong potential for impact. It typically does not support organizations more than once within the same grant cycle, ensuring a broad distribution of its resources. Global projects are considered on a case-by-case basis, particularly when the foundation directors have knowledge of the applicant organization.

Applicants are responsible for maintaining up-to-date contact information with the foundation throughout the process, as any changes could affect the handling of grant applications and the distribution of funds. For organizations that received funding in Q4 2023, the final project report is due by December 1, 2024.

The Dr. Scholl Foundation’s grants provide essential support for organizations working to make meaningful contributions across a variety of fields, and the foundation's global vision reflects its founder's belief in using commerce, exchange, and dialogue to bring the world closer together and improve quality of life for all.