Sunstate Equipment Foundation Making a difference in communities near you. Why We Formed the Foundation The Sunstate Equipment Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit charitable foundation, was recently formed as a way for Sunstate Equipment and its employees to give back to the communities in which they live and work. Much of the charitable giving done by Sunstate has historically been Phoenix based. As we have grown, we believe a multi-market view is more appropriate, and that Sunstate employees should play a larger role in directing our charitable giving across the communities in which they live and work. We also recognized that many of our Sunstate team members would like to have greater opportunities to make a personal difference in their communities. Thus, the Sunstate Equipment Foundation was born. The Foundation will receive half of its funding through voluntary employee contributions; with Sunstate matching those employee contributions, dollar for dollar. Sunstate employees that choose to volunteer their service on regional advisory boards will review preliminary grant applications, giving the employees of Sunstate a voice in how charitable dollars are spent. Employees can also sponsor grant requests from their local communities, and funds donated or raised by Sunstate employees in their respective regions will stay in their region. This is designed to give Sunstate employees a greater impact on local charities with which they may be involved. How It Works Charitable organizations that wish to apply for a grant will need to create a basic online profile, then fill out a grant application form and upload some necessary documentation. Once an application has been submitted, it will be verified for completeness, then reviewed by a regional advisory group comprised of Sunstate employees. These regional advisory groups meet regularly to discuss grant applications, then forward their comments and recommendations to the Board of Directors, who meet quarterly to review all information, then vote on each grant application. Approved grant recipients will be required to submit follow up documentation regarding their use of received funds. Grant application cutoff dates are: March 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15. Where We Are Located
When reviewing grant applications, preference will be given to charitable organizations that operate in or near a region or metropolitan area in which Sunstate Equipment has a presence. As of April 2016, there are 60 locations spread throughout the following states: Arizona California Colorado Nevada New Mexico Oklahoma Tennessee Texas Utah The Sunstate Equipment Foundation was formed for the purpose of making a meaningful impact in our communities, focusing on: Disadvantaged Children and / or Adults Medical Aid and Research Housing Assistance Domestic Violence Awareness and Protection Military / Veterans Assistance Care of abused / neglected animals Apply for a Grant The following information is needed to complete your application If you have questions or need additional assistance, please contact the foundation administrator by email: admin@sunstatefoundation.com, or call 602-683-2259. PDF versions of: 501(c)(3) Tax Exemption Letter List of Current Board Members Information about your Organization: Organization Name Executive Director Tax ID Address City State Zip Grant Details:
Area of Focus Grant Amount Requested Description of the program or need your organization intends to fund if approved. Any additional information you would like to provide Before completing this application, please read the Sunstate Equipment Foundation Grant Application Guidelines, found here. By submitting your application, it is assumed you have read the Application Guidelines, and understand that failure to comply with its terms and conditions will result in your application being rejected. If you do not already have a Sunstate Equipment Foundation profile, you will need to create one as part of the grant application process. Please Log in or Register in order to view the grant application form. Grant Application Guidelines Overview The Sunstate Equipment Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) charitable corporation, whose purpose is to make a positive impact on the communities in which Sunstate employee s live and work through grants to other 501 (c)(3) non-profit organizations. Most grants are made to organizations located in the vicinity of a Sunstate Branch or Metro Area in which Sunstate operates. As of April 2016, locations include: Phoenix and surrounding areas Dallas / Ft. Worth and surrounding areas Denver / Ft. Collins and surrounding areas San Jose, CA and surrounding areas Sacramento, CA LA /San Diego / Southern California Houston and surrounding areas Salt Lake City and surrounding areas Oklahoma City and surrounding areas Tulsa, OK Las Vegas, NV Reno, NV Prescott, AZ Flagstaff, AZ Casa Grande / Tucson, AZ Memphis, TN Nashville, TN El Paso, TX Odessa, TX Austin, TX Waco, TX
San Antonio, TX Bryan / College Station, TX Albuquerque, NM Colorado Springs / Pueblo, CO Grand Junction, CO Funding for the Foundation comes from contributions made by employees of Sunstate Equipment, which are matched by the Sunstate Equipment Co., LLC. Non-profit organizations wishing to be considered for funding must first submit a completed Grant Application, along with copies of the organization s 501 (c)(3) determination letter and list of current board members. Grants are reviewed by employee committees who make recommendations to the board, which meets quarterly. The board meetings are scheduled for approximately 6 weeks after each grant cycle closes. Applicants are notified by email approximately two weeks after the board meeting if their application has been funded, denied, or held for consideration during the next grant cycle. Organizations that submit applications that do not meet these guidelines, or are incomplete, will not be considered and no notification will be sent. Organizations that submit applications that do not meet these guidelines, or are incomplete, will not be considered and no notification will be sent. FUNDING EXCEPTIONS In general, the Sunstate Equipment Foundation does not provide financial support to / for: Grant requests greater than $10,000 In the form of multi-year pledges To underwrite the cost of fundraising events, such as dinners, golf tournaments, etc. Construction projects that will provide administrative facilities Grants that would be used, in any way, to teach or promote religious beliefs. Activities outside of the US IMPORTANT GRANT APPLICATION INFORMATION 1. Verification of Tax Exempt Status. Applicants must be able to verify their 501 (c)(3) status by submitting a copy of their tax determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service. There are no exceptions to this policy, and no other types of tax exempt organizations will be considered. 2. Verification of Current Address. The address on the tax exemption letter must match the current address of the organization. If it does not, the organization must submit a copy of the first sheet of its most recent Form 990 filing, showing the current address of the organization. If the organization is not required to file a Form 990, it may alternatively submit to the Foundation a letter, signed by the Executive Director or other official with authority to bind the organization, explaining the change of address (when, where, etc.) and affirmatively stating that, but for the change of address, the organization is the same organization that has been designated by the IRS as a 501 (c)(3) organization, that there has been no change in that status since the issuance of the IRS letter and that, to the best of the writers knowledge, there are no circumstances that would warrant a change in that status.
3. Recognition as an Affiliate of another Organization. If the organization applying for a grant is an affiliate of a parent organization that holds 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt status, the applicant must submit a copy of the parent organization s tax-exemption letter along with a letter from the parent organization, on the parent organization s letterhead, recognizing the affiliate and confirming the affiliate s current address.