If my proposal is not educational in nature or does not benefit economically disadvantaged populations, should I still apply for funding?
No. The Sooch Foundation will not consider proposals that are not directly aligned with our mission. To be eligible for funding, programs must have education as their main focus, with the end result of improving academic performance or achieving financial independence via education. Additionally, if 75% or more of the funds do not benefit economically disadvantaged people, please be advised that there is a much decreased chance of your proposal being funded.

How long does the application process take from start to finish?
Please be aware that the process will take approximately 3-6 months total. Our due diligence process is quite lengthy and may involve interviews and/or site visits. If you are in need of immediate funds, the Sooch Foundation most likely cannot accommodate this need.

Is there a certain time of year when I should apply for funding?
We accept applications year-round on a rolling basis. However, please remember to allow several months for Sooch to complete the due diligence process. We suggest contacting us at least 4-6 months prior to your organization’s new funding cycle, especially if you anticipate needing funds at the beginning of the school year in August or September.

Can I apply for more than a year’s funding at a time?
The majority of the time, the Sooch Foundation will fund an organization for one year at a time. Organizations are then encouraged to reapply for subsequent years’ funding. Occasionally, Sooch will award multi-year grants, although this is the exception rather than the norm.

If I live outside of Austin, am I eligible for funding from the Sooch Foundation?
As we have a limited number of funds to distribute each year, we prefer to fund projects within Austin city limits. We also devote 40% of our funding to educational projects in India, our founder’s native country. If a domestic organization is located outside of Austin, it will most likely not qualify for funding from the foundation.