Established with the goal of creating a positive, long-lasting impact on the communities BJ’s serves, the mission of BJ’s Charitable Foundation is to enhance and enrich community programs that primarily benefit children and families. Since its first grant in 2005, BJ’s Charitable Foundation has allocated funds on a quarterly basis, giving more than $7.4 million to over 800 community organizations in the 15 states where BJ’s Clubs are located. BJ’s Charitable Foundation contributes the bulk of its funding to organizations that provide services (in the form of hunger prevention, self-sufficiency, health care and education) to those in need.

Types of Support

Hunger

Support will be given to nonprofits that work to alleviate hunger through the purchase of food, supplies and additional resources necessary to feed those in need. Funding will be disbursed to agencies including shelters, food banks, soup kitchens, and food pantries. We will support the purchase of food as well as food programs.

Self-Sufficiency

Over the last decade, the country has seen a rise in the number of reported homeless families. And studies have shown that these families are more likely to become self-sufficient by first having a safe place to sleep and then access to other support services. Support will be given to nonprofits that work toward the self-sufficiency of their clients. Grants will fund enhancement of shelter programs, purchase of supplies and clothing for residents as well as programming that offers families safety.

Health

Support will be given to nonprofits that work on providing health care to those who would not normally have access. Funding will be disbursed to agencies providing supplies to free medical clinics, health prevention services as well as supplies for vision, dental and hearing screenings.

Education

Support will be given to nonprofits that provide academic and vocational opportunities for the disadvantaged. These programs include the purchase of supplies for literacy skills, mentoring, tutoring and career development.

BJ’s Charitable Foundation Grant Recipients

Guidelines for Submitting a Proposal
BJ’s Charitable Foundation welcomes funding proposals that are compatible with our core mission. If you are interested in submitting a grant proposal, please follow the guidelines below:

1. Eligibility
All funding requests must meet the following criteria:

• The proposal must be from an organization that is tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and recognized as a “public charity” by the IRS.
• The program must align with BJ’s Charitable Foundation’s mission of supporting organizations that provide basic needs services (in the form of hunger prevention, self-sufficiency, health care and education) to those in need.
• The program must positively impact communities where BJ’s Clubs are located.

2. Application Procedure
To be considered at the next scheduled foundation meeting, all required materials must be received by the deadline for that meeting as indicated below. Grant proposals received after this submission deadline will be put on the agenda for the following meeting.

Please Note: To expedite processing, all organizations are limited to one (1) application, regardless of its being approved or denied, per 12-month period. Additional applications will not be considered.

3. Restrictions and Limitations
BJ’s Charitable Foundation does not provide funding for:

• Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, physical disability, national or ethnic origin
• Political organizations, fraternal groups or social clubs that engage in any kind of political activity
• Religious organizations, unless they serve the general public in a significant non-denominational way
• 501(c)(3) organizations or programs/projects that have been in place for less than one (1) year
• Individuals or individual families
• Organizations located outside BJ’s Wholesale Club’s markets
• Capital campaigns
• Private foundations
• Sponsorships for music, film and art festivals
• Support for business expositions/conferences
• Journal or program advertisements
• Fees for participating in competitive programs
• Organizations that have been funded by the BJ’s Charitable Foundation within the past 12 months
• 509(a)(3) Type III non functionally integrated supporting organizations

How to Apply

To be considered for funding, all grant proposals must thoroughly and concisely contain the following information:

Please provide most recent and accurate information for each question. Follow the page limits while using 12-point, Times New Roman font with one-inch margins and a heading for each question that follows the format included below.

I. SECTION 1: Cover Letter (limit to one page)

Include the purpose of the grant request and a brief description of how the request fits with the BJ’s Charitable Foundation mission and policies.

II. SECTION 2: Narrative

BJ’s Charitable Foundation thinks about grant making to organizations in a potentially unique way. We recognize that all of our applicants are nonprofit organizations and we need to understand your organization. However, we are more interested in the program or project for which you are applying for funding. And more specifically, we would like to understand the use of funds per the grant request (e.g. number of people served and number of items purchased). In your grant request, please indicate precisely how funds will be expended. Finally, the BJ’s Charitable Foundation will not consider applications that explicitly state that grant dollars will be used to make purchases at BJ’s Wholesale Club, BJ’s Membership Club or on BJs.com.

1. Organization Description (in the form of a cover sheet)
1. Legal name of organization
2. History and mission statement
3. Application contact name and title
4. Contact phone number, fax number, email address
5. Mailing address (street, city, state, ZIP)
6. Project/program name for grant request
7. Organization/program web site
8. Name of CEO or executive director
9. Employer Identification Number (EIN)
2. A brief description (no longer than three (3) pages) of your funding request that includes:
1. The amount of money being requested.
2. An indication of:
1. The percentage of grant request that will be used toward program expenses
2. The percentage of grant request that will be used toward operational expenses
3. The percentage of grant request that will be used toward administrative expenses

1. Definitions of the three different expenses are provided for your reference

3. Number of employees
1. Total number of paid employees for the organization
2. Total number of paid employees for the specific program/project
3. Total number of volunteers* used in the program
   *We understand that volunteers do not necessarily take part in all organizations and programs, and if that is the case for your organization, please indicate that in your narrative.
4. List of the BJ’s Wholesale Clubs (the locations and distance in miles) that are within reasonable distance of your organization and/or program. Please differentiate if there are separate locations
5. A description of the clients who benefit from your program or project
1. Include specifically the number of clients impacted, demographics and other helpful details
6. A description of what the funds will be used for
7. A description of the community needs your program serves
8. A description of the historic success rate of project/program participants and the method you use to track or measure their success
9. The cost per client served per month
1. Please share the calculation and use an average of total clients served per month and divide it by the average total monthly expense of the program
10. Listed from the balance sheet of your most recent fiscal year:
1. Current assets
2. Current liabilities
If you have specific questions about financial data, please contact your auditor or financial representative for your organization.
11. Listed from the income statement of your most recent fiscal year:
1. Support services ratio:
1. From your organization’s most recent IRS Form 990
1. If you are using the 990 Form from 2007 or before, calculate the support services ratio using numbers found on Page 1, Part I titled Revenue, Expenses, and Changes in Net Assets or Fund Balances (line #14 + line #15) ÷ line #17
2. If using the 990 Form from 2008 or later, calculate the support services ratio using numbers found on Page 10, Part IX titled Statement of Functional Expenses (line #25 column C + line #25 column D) ÷ line #25 column A
2. From your organization’s Audited Financials. Please use your Audited Income Statement to add your Management and General Expense to your Fundraising Expense and then divide by your organization’s Total Expenses.
3. If this information is not available, then the BJ’s Charitable Foundation will accept a letter from your auditor confirming the accuracy of the numbers.
2. Total organization expense
3. Total program expense

III. SECTION 3: Attachments

Please provide an explanation for any omitted attachments.

1. Financial Attachments:
1. Organization budget
1. Current annual operating budget with income and expenses
2. If available, include the budget for the upcoming fiscal year
2. Project or program budget
1. Detailing expenses and anticipated income sources for the specific program or project detailed in your narrative
3. Grant Budget Summary
1. A budget detailing specifically how a grant from the BJ’s Charitable Foundation will be used
2. Please find Grant Budget Summary attached for your reference
4. Copy of your organization’s most recent audited financial statement
1. Include a Statement of Financial Position (Balance Sheet)
2. Include a Statement of Activities (Income and Expense Statement)
5. Major contributors and their contributions
1. List major contributors to the project/program (foundations, businesses, government, individuals) with amounts for the previous two calendar years
2. List any retail, wholesale, and grocer contributors to the overall organization with the amounts for the previous two calendars
6. In-kind contributions
1. Summary of significant in-kind donations (donated goods and professional services) received by the organization for the last fiscal year
2. Other Attachments:
1. A copy of your organization’s 501(c)(3) determination letter from the IRS
2. A copy of your organization’s IRS Form 990 (if your organization does not file this form and files the 990ez form, please include this version)
3. A list of your board of directors which only includes the board members’ names, titles and affiliations/employers
4. For organizations previously awarded funding from BJ’s Charitable Foundation, a report (no more than 2 pages) containing the following information is also required:
1. The grant amount and date check was received
2. The name and description of the program that was funded
3. In reference to your past grant budget, report on the results:
1. Briefly summarize the previous grant request
2. Summarize the impacts and outcomes of the program as they relate to the description in the previous grant request
3. Were you able to accomplish the goals and objectives you set forth in your grant request to BJ’s Charitable Foundation
4. A description of the clients who benefited from the previous grant
1. Include specifically the numbers impacted, demographics and other helpful details
5. The success rate of program participants and the method you use to track or measure their success
6. Key lessons learned during the one-year grant cycle and any changes made to the program/project
7. Any setbacks during the one-year grant cycle?
8. Any positive outcomes during the one-year grant cycle?
9. What will you do the same if more funds are issued?
10. What will you do differently if more funds are issued?

Submission Address

Please mail the completed grant application package to:

           BJ’s Charitable Foundation
           P.O. Box 9614
           One Mercer Rd.
           Natick, MA 01760

Due to the high volume of funding requests we receive, we must ask that applicants refrain from calling for status updates as this may delay proposal processing. All complete proposals submitted by the deadline indicated above will receive a written response from BJ’s Charitable Foundation after the grant decision date.

BJ’s Charitable Foundation receives far more contribution requests than can possibly be honored and, as a result, cannot support every qualified grant application. Please accept the Foundation’s best wishes for success in your fundraising efforts.

FAQs for BJ’s Charitable Foundation

1. What are some types of programs and areas in which BJ’s Charitable Foundation focuses its support?
2. What does the foundation look for when reviewing donation requests?
3. What is the range of grant amounts?
4. Can I still request funding if my organization does not have a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status?
5. Can I apply more than once for a grant request?
6. When are the submission deadlines for this year?
7. When will I hear back from the Charitable Foundation after I submit an application?
8. Who makes the funding decisions for grants awarded?
9. Where can I find the names and contact information for BJ’s Charitable Foundation?
10. If I receive a grant, am I required to report on how the funds were used?
11. To apply for a donation, it is required to report administration expenses, program expenses, and general operating expenses. What is the difference between these three expenses?

Answers

1. What are some types of programs and areas in which BJ’s Charitable Foundation focuses its support?

BJ’s Charitable Foundation supports programs that align with our mission to enhance and enrich community programs that primarily benefit children and families. The majority of giving by BJ’s Charitable Foundation is focused on organizations that provide basic needs services (in the form of hunger prevention, self-sufficiency, health care and education) to those in need. The organization and program must be in operation for at least one year and make a positive impact in communities where BJ’s Clubs are located.

2. What does BJ’s Charitable Foundation look for when reviewing donation requests?

When reviewing grant applications, BJ’s Charitable Foundation looks for agencies and programs that are aligned with our foundation and mission statement. We pay close attention to applications that adhere to the application instructions. We appreciate a thorough yet concise application.

3. What is the range of grant amounts?

Grants were awarded in 2008 ranging from $1,000 to $15,000.

4. Can I still request funding if my organization does not have a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status?

No. An organization requesting a grant must be tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and recognized as a “public charity” by the IRS.

5. Can I apply more than once for a grant request?

Yes and no. BJ’s Charitable Foundation will accept resubmissions according to the appropriate application deadlines. However, to expedite processing, all organizations are limited to one (1) application per 12-month period. Additional applications will not be considered.

6. When are the submission deadlines for this year?

The BJ’s Charitable Foundation accepts grant requests based on the following application deadlines. If submissions are not received by the application deadline, they will be considered for the following meeting.

7. When will I hear back from BJ’s Charitable Foundation after I submit an application?

The months listed below represent the general time frames when notifications of grant requests will be issued. All complete proposals submitted by the deadline indicated above will receive a written response from BJ’s Charitable Foundation upon receipt of the grant. Additionally, at the close of the grant cycle a final letter indicating our decision will be mailed. The following response dates are listed next to their corresponding application deadline.

8. Who makes the funding decisions for grants awarded?

Our staff provides preliminary review for all grant requests. From there, a qualified advisory board reviews the grants, and determines appropriate allocations. A finalized grant list is reviewed by our board of directors. Due to the high volume of funding requests we receive, BJ’s Charitable Foundation cannot support every qualified grant. Please accept the Foundation’s best wishes for success in your fundraising efforts.

9. Where can I find the names and contact information for BJ’s Charitable Foundation?

Due to the high volume of funding requests we receive, we must ask that applicants refrain from calling for status updates as this may delay proposal processing. We request that all grant questions and inquiries be sent in writing to the following mailing address.

           BJ’s Charitable Foundation
           P.O. Box 9614
           One Mercer Rd.
           Natick, MA 01760

10. If I receive a grant, am I required to report on how the funds were used?

It is highly recommended that a follow up report is submitted to rate the success and outcomes achieved through the funding. Any future grant requests from BJ’s Charitable Foundation require an assessment of the program as a result of the previous funding.

11. To apply for a donation, it is required to report administration expenses, program expenses, and general operating expenses. What is the difference between these three expenses?

Administrative/Overhead Expense:
The costs involved in running a program. Typically they represent a portion of a Program Expense that is used to pay for a portion of items like salary for program-related support staff (people who are not daily involved in the program, but support the program; may include accountants, HR, office, marketing/PR, etc.), rent, utilities, etc.

General/Operating Expense:
The costs involved in running the organization. Grants that allow for General/Operating coverage have no restrictions on the funds and are available for any organization to use any way they’d like.

Program Expense:
The costs involved in running a program. Depending on the type of organization or program, those expenses may include equipment, supplies, full or a portion of the salaries for program staff, food and emergency grants/loans to clients.

BJ’s Charitable Foundation reserves the right to change relevant dates and other descriptive material without notice.

The BJ’s Charitable Foundation is a donor advised fund at a national public charity. All contributions to the BJ’s Charitable Foundation go directly to the public charity which sponsors the donor advised fund and all grants from the donor advised fund are made at the recommendation of the BJ’s Charitable Foundation and its delegates and at the discretion of the sponsoring charity.

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