SAGE Charitable Giving Guidelines

SAGE will consider donation requests from nonprofit organizations that are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as tax exempt public charities under sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1), (2), (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, located in the United States. In addition, SAGE will consider requests for donations from governmental organizations located in the United States where the purpose of the grant is to support a charitable, educational, scientific or literary purpose. Thus, eligible grantees may include public elementary and secondary schools, as well as public colleges and universities, public libraries and public hospitals. Successful requests will fall within both the current eligibility guidelines and funding priority areas that SAGE has established.
Funding Priorities
  • Education – higher education and K-12 education
  • Social/Human Services
  • Community Life, including arts and culture
Geographic Focus
National, with particular emphasis on Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties in California
Types of Support
General/operating support; Building/renovation; Capital campaigns; Scholarships; Conference sponsorships; Endowments; In-kind; Fundraising events
Limitations

SAGE does not support the following:

  • Organizations that do not have a valid 501(c)3 ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or that are not described in 509(a)(1), (2), (3) of the Internal Revenue Code
  • Donations to individuals
  • For-profit entities
  • Political or corporate sponsorships
  • Religious organizations, unless the gift is designated to a program that is secular in nature and benefits a broad range of the community. Additionally, the program must have a formal mission and a separate budget and staff
  • Organizations requesting funds to cover operating deficits or loan reductions
  • Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation or disability
  • Requests from organizations serving Santa Barbara and/or Ventura Counties may not exceed $10,000

Please note that organizations may apply for funding only once every 12 months. Additionally, funded organizations may not receive funding for more than four consecutive years and must reapply every year.
Application Procedures

To submit an application online, click here.

Organizations interested in receiving funds from SAGE and that are not submitting a request online must complete the SAGE Contribution Request Application and attach the following documents. NOTE: Applications will not be considered unless all requested documents are included with the application.

On occasion, SAGE may ask the organization to provide additional information or documents before a decision is made. The following items must be submitted:

  • Completed Contribution Request Application
  • Brief organization description (limit of 3 pages), including:
    • Mission and history
    • Description of need
    • Detailed description of how funds will be used
    • Target audience
    • Evaluation
    • Opportunities for involvement and recognition, if any
  • Current Federal IRS tax exemption certificate indicating 501(c)3 status
  • Form 990 for most recently completed fiscal year
  • Audited financial statements for most recently completed fiscal year
  • Current operating budget. If the organization’s administrative and fundraising expenses exceed 15 percent of the operating budget, please include an explanation.
  • Project budget, if applying for specific project
  • Board of Directors list, including professional affiliations
  • List of corporate and foundation supporters, including amounts, for most recently completed fiscal year
  • A site visit may be requested after receipt of proposal

Applications for organizations located in and/or serving Santa Barbara and/or Ventura Counties will be reviewed quarterly by SAGE’s Local Grants Committee. Requests are appreciated at least one month in advance of January, April, July or October.

All other requests are reviewed on an ongoing basis with notifications made within 60 days from receipt of proposal and supporting documents.

Direct all inquiries to:

Dana Katz
Executive Director, Philanthropy & Corporate Responsibility
SAGE Publications
2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
805-410-7326 FAX 805-410-7009
charitablegiving@sagepub.com

SAGE Charitable Giving FAQs