Who the Opportunity Fund will serve

The U.S. Bank Foundation created the Opportunity Fund to support four key categories and core objectives:

Small business

Help build more inclusive systems, standards and capital and economic growth for entrepreneurs

Affordable housing development

Expand inclusive access to affordable housing and affordable housing capital

Homeownership

Expand and provide equitable access to homeownership programs, such as housing counseling, down payment assistance and more

Digital access in rural and Native American communities

Improve economic growth, sustainability and quality of life through digital infrastructure, including broadband access, technical entrepreneurship and job creation

Read full grant details (PDF)

Grant guidelines and eligibility

The Opportunity Fund is open to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations doing work in the following states:

  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Mexico
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oregon
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Utah
  • Washington
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

The application period has closed. When reopened, organizations may submit Letters of Interest (LOIs) for consideration; organizations must subsequently receive an invitation to submit a full application. The Foundation will support organizations that prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion strategies to deliver community impact.

The Foundation will support both single- and multi-year requests. Grant awards will range from $50,000 to $500,000 annually, accounting for organization size and scale and product and program reach. We encourage innovative approaches to meet defined objectives.

The Opportunity Fund asks that grantees submit year-end reports so that the Foundation may evaluate their success in achieving the desired outcomes.

We consider the following funding request types:

  • Operating grants – An operating grant is given to cover an organization's day-to-day, ongoing expenses, such as salaries, utilities, office supplies, etc. We consider operating support requests from organizations where the entire mission of the organization fits within an Opportunity Fund grant focus area.
  • Program/project grants – A program/project grant is given to support a specific, connected set of activities, with a beginning and an end, explicit objectives and a predetermined cost. We consider highly effective and innovative programs that meet our Opportunity Fund grant focus areas.

The U.S. Bank Foundation Opportunity Fund grant program will not provide funding for:

  • Fraternal organizations, merchant associations, chamber memberships or programs or 501(c)(4), (5) or (6) organizations
  • Section 509(a)(3) – Type III supporting organizations
  • Private foundations
  • Endowments or memorial campaigns
  • Fundraising events or sponsorships
  • Organizations that discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, marital status, genetic information, veteran status or other factors that are protected by law
  • Programs operated by religious organizations for religious purposes
  • Political organizations or organizations designed primarily to lobby
  • Individuals, including those seeking scholarships or fellowship assistance
  • Travel and related expenses, including student trips and tours
  • Deficit reduction

The Foundation receives funding requests that exceed our grant program budget. Therefore, we must decline support to worthy organizations and programs. In order to expand community engagement, we may decline applicants that we have previously supported. Support should not be expected to continue in perpetuity, and declination does not reflect a negative appraisal of the organization or the value of its programs and service.

All decisions of the Foundation are final and there will be no appeal process.

Create more opportunity with us.

U.S. Bank has long supported organizations that address systemic inequities. Opportunity Fund grants will support the commitments U.S. Bank has made to increase small business lending, mortgage lending, and community development lending and investments across the country. This includes U.S. Bank Access Commitment®. Learn more about Access Commitment® and how it fits into our DEI strategy at the bank.

Other fund options

If your organization is not eligible for the Opportunity Fund grant per the regulations above, our Community Possible grant program offers grants to organizations that focus on:

  • Economic and workforce advancement
  • Safe and affordable housing
  • Communities connected through arts and culture
Learn more about Community Possible grants

Still have questions about the Opportunity Fund?

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Disclosures

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