Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Grants

Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: The Richard M Schulze Family Foundation
Last Updated: February 26, 2026

Summary

The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation provides grants focused on education, human services, and health and medicine. They support high-performing educational institutions, scholarships, and nonprofits that enhance learning experiences. In human services, they assist organizations tackling hunger, shelter, and mental health issues. Their health initiatives include funding for medical research and treatment services. All support is by invitation only, ensuring that funding aligns with their mission to reduce suffering and promote community well-being.

Overview

Education Focus Area We support high-performing educational institutions by invitation only. We also support college scholarships and nonprofit organizations that offer effective learning experiences, such as tutoring, after school-programming, and camps. Education- Category Descriptions Adult Education and Workforce Development Programs and ServicesPrograms and services focused on leadership, professional development, workforce development, and employment training that expand an adult’s knowledge in a particular field or discipline.Early Childhood Programs and ServicesEducational programs that provide a learning foundation, engagement in early learning, and brain development programming for children aged birth to five years old.Scholarship and Financial SupportFinancial help that students need to meet their educational expenses while in school.Special EducationIndividualized programming, instruction, and support services for gifted and disabled children and youth, modified curricula, teaching methodologies, or instructional materials to learn.Youth Education Programs and ServicesClassroom support, after-school tutoring, and instruction for school-aged students that enhance formal education, semi-skilled, skilled, technical, or professional post-secondary programs for college-aged students. Human & Social Services Focus Area We fund responsible non-profit organizations working in the areas of hunger, shelter, emergency relief, domestic abuse, veteran and military families support, and help with medical challenges. We support Hope Lodges as part of the American Cancer Society’s work, whose impact on cancer patients and their families is positive and impressive. We support mental health organizations who have a positive funding history with us, provide prevention education and services, and provide early intervention services for children and adolescent mental health. This support is by invitation only. Human and Social Services Category Descriptions Children’s and Family ServicesServices that promote a child’s well-being — childcare, adoption, foster care, family counseling, and parenting education that strengthen their families.Disability and Special Needs ServicesIndividual and group support and advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, services that promote self-determination, employment, connection, and involvement in community life.Domestic AbuseDomestic violence support and prevention programs that address the needs of individuals and families experiencing domestic violence and work that helps prevent the (re)occurrence of these situations.Food Banks, Food Pantries and Food DistributionHunger relief in communities. Homeless, Shelter & Crisis Services. Help for individuals and families who experience homelessness, programs that increase housing stability through direct interventions, basic needs, and advocacy.HousingPlacement into permanent, supportive, or transitional housing and services that promote housing stability, rental or utility help, landlord-tenant mediation, eviction prevention, affordable housing unit development, or preserving existing affordable housing units.Mental HealthBy invitation only. Prevention and early intervention needs of children and adolescents experiencing mental health issues. Multipurpose Human Service OrganizationsDirect services to the communities served. YMCAs, YWCAs, Red Cross, Salvation Army are examples. Youth DevelopmentOutside-of-school activities that promote the ongoing development and growth of youth, activities that connect them to caring adults and mentors, and camping experiences for young people. Health & Medicine Focus Area We invest in health & medicine projects that reduce human suffering and advance medical science. Disease-specific examples include cancer and type 1 diabetes. Projects range from basic scientific research to capital investments in medical facilities. Our recent interests are in regenerative medicine and stem cell research. We have specific interest in neuro-degenerative diseases that include Ataxia. Medical research proposals are by invitation only. All proposals go to our health care advisors for evaluation and recommendation. Health & Medicine Category Descriptions Diseases, Disorders and DisciplinesDirect services that promotes medical disciplines. Advocating for public understanding and support. Patient and Family SupportWish-granting programs and camps for individuals diagnosed with a specific disease/disorder, financial help with housing, travel expenses because of a life-limiting illness, grief support services, or other health-related support for patients at various life stages.Treatment and Prevention Services. Medical service and education on ways to prevent disease and reduce health risks. Studies and re-evaluation of support for certain types of medical research are underway. We have an emerging interest in regenerative medicine and stem cell research.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Grantees must have tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.Non-profits should serve communities in the counties we serve.Requests for grants serving counties other than those listed here and below are by invitation only. Grantees must organize and operate for charitable purposes.Work in our focus areas:Education (including scholarships) Human services Health and medicineOrganizations may apply for funding only once a year.We are open to general operating requests when it makes sense for supporting specific elements of capital campaigns and multi-year grants for organizations we know well and have a successful funding history.

Ineligibility

We do not fund:government agencies for-profit business special events or conferences endowments Performing and fine arts organizationsorganizations outside our geographic areas (with invited exceptions) labor organizations lobbying, advocacy, or political campaigns organizations outside of the United States (except Anguilla) sports or athletic organizations sectarian religious causes individuals except through our scholarship programsAddiction and substance abuse recoveryBiomedical researchDebt retirementHospice careMental health providers other than those focusing on prevention and early intervention services for children and adolescentsNeurodegenerative diseasesPublicly funded K-12 schools except for charter school