Each year, the AE Foundation will allocate a limited amount of funding to nonprofit, public charities with tax exempt status under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Before an organization is considered for a grant, it must fulfill the following criteria:
- The organization and/or its programs must fall within the scope of the AE Foundation's mission statement.
- The organization must provide a year end report stating the results of the grant activities.
- The organization must direct at least 70% of the money raised toward beneficiaries.
- The organization must be willing to provide documentation to AE verifying financial donations.
- The organization must be located in Pittsburgh, New York City or Ottawa, Kansas.
- Grant request should fall within $1,000 - $10,000 range.
- The program/goal of the financial donation must significantly affect the surrounding community.
- The organization must be inclusive in policies and practices involving all genders, races, ages, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or creed.
If your organization meets all of the above criteria, please submit a three to four page overview that includes the following information:
- Brief history of your organization/list of accomplishments/year organization was founded
- Requested amount of donation
- Program purpose/goals and how you plan to meet them
- Strategic reason why AE Foundation should fund program
- Time period of the program or project
- Needs/problems to be addressed, target population and the number of people to be served by the project
- Identification of other organizations, partners, or funders participating in the project and their roles
- How you might creatively involve AE business unit and/or employees in the project
- Contact information of person requesting grant
- Description of how you plan to evaluate progress and results
- Ways that the American Eagle Outfitters Foundation will be recognized for a program grant
Please attach a copy of the current IRS determination letter indicating a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, a copy of the organization's current board-approved annual operating budget (including expense and revenue), the program budget for this project and a list of the organization’s board members and their affiliations.
Grant proposals and attachments must be submitted to the following address for consideration:
American Eagle Outfitters Foundation
77 Hot Metal Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
The AE Foundation Board of Directors reviews grant proposals two times per year. Written notification of decisions made on grants will be mailed within a few weeks of the meeting at which the proposal is considered. Proposals are accepted throughout the year.
What programs are ineligible for support?
AE will not contribute to:
- Fashion shows or other requests for clothing donations
- Organizations that discriminate based on race, creed, color, sex, age, national origin, veteran status or physical or mental disabilities
- Individual religious organizations
- Political organizations, campaigns or candidates for political office
- Lobbying groups
- Medical or health-related causes
- Veteran or fraternal organizations
- Individuals
- Goodwill advertising in journals or program books
- Capital campaigns such as building grants
- Organizations that spend more than 30% of their total budget on fundraising efforts
