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American Charitable Foundation Inc. logoAmerican Charitable Foundation
501(c)(3) exempt private foundation

ACF — Grants and Financial Assistance for Eligible Nonprofits

American Charitable Foundation is dedicated to supporting eligible nonprofit organizations through financial assistance, charitable funding initiatives, and resources designed to strengthen community-centered work.

Apply for a GrantExplore Our MissionLearn About Financial Assistance
Six people holding an American Charitable Foundation check for $10,000 to Child Care Works for its Wage Supplement Program, dated February 6, 2024
$10,000 grant to Child Care Works · February 2024

Before you apply

Prepare your documents, review your information, and understand what submission means.

  1. Check the guidelines

    Assistance is intended for nonprofit organizations, not individuals. Additional eligibility conditions may depend on the support being considered; contact ACF if you are unsure.

    Read eligibility guidance

  2. Prepare your documents

    Have your organization’s details, IRS document, and 501(c)(3) determination letter ready. A recent payslip or bank statement is optional.

    Review application requirements

  3. Review before sending

    Check your details and attachments before final submission. Applying does not guarantee an award or reserve funding.

    Start your application

Public financial records

Annual returns available for public inspection.

2015–2024
Form 990-PF returns

The supplied annual returns identify American Charitable Foundation, EIN 36-3822910, as a section 501(c)(3) exempt private foundation in Omaha, Nebraska. Previously displayed support totals remain withheld pending substantiation.

View transparency information

About ACF

American Charitable Foundation seal

Resources are what turn good intentions into lasting services.

Nonprofit organizations carry out essential work, yet many operate with limited and uncertain funding. Charitable assistance can help eligible organizations sustain proven programs, respond to emerging community needs, and invest in the staff, systems, and planning that make their work durable.

Our mission and vision

01 — Mission

“To strengthen eligible nonprofit organizations by supporting charitable initiatives, expanding access to financial assistance, and encouraging sustainable, community-focused work.”

02 — Vision

“A future in which nonprofit organizations have greater opportunities to secure resources, deliver meaningful services, and contribute to resilient communities.”

Core values

Proposed organizational statements, pending formal approval by ACF's authorized leadership.

  • Integrity
  • Accountability
  • Transparency
  • Compassion
  • Collaboration
  • Responsible stewardship
  • Fairness
  • Sustainable community impact

Areas of support

Where charitable funding can matter most.

ACF’s program areas are active. The type and amount of support are determined through application review.

A large group of ACF team members and partners standing together in a bright meeting room
  1. 01Community development
  2. 02Education and youth opportunities
  3. 03Food security and basic needs
  4. 04Health and well-being
  5. 05Family support
  6. 06Older adult services
  7. 07Disability inclusion
  8. 08Environmental initiatives
  9. 09Nonprofit capacity building
  10. 10Community resilience

Our grantmaking process

Five steps, documented at every stage.

Typical review time: 7 to 30 days
  1. 1

    Prepare organization details

  2. 2

    Submit both required documents

  3. 3

    Receive a reference and confirmation

  4. 4

    Application and document review

  5. 5

    Decision and follow-up

Read our grantmaking process →
ACF team members and community partners seated around tables during a meeting

Accountability & transparency

Trust is built in the records.

Responsible grantmaking depends on documented decisions, careful financial management, conflict-of-interest controls, and appropriate reporting. Review ACF’s transparency information for the status of public records, reported figures, and proposed policies.

View transparency information →

Organization information and public records

Find ACF’s published information, policy statements, and contact details in one place. Proposed policies remain labeled as proposed.

Transparency & reported results

Read the status of financial information, public filings, and supporting reports.

Leadership & governance

Meet the organization-provided officers and staff, and read about proposed oversight practices.

Financial accountability

Read the proposed practices for funding decisions, financial controls, and records.

Community impact

What funding can make possible

Hypothetical example

A neighborhood food pantry uses a capacity grant to add refrigerated storage, allowing it to accept fresh produce donations.

Hypothetical example

A youth tutoring nonprofit funds a part-time coordinator, so volunteers can be trained and matched with students more consistently.

Hypothetical example

A small senior services group invests in accessible transportation, helping older adults reach medical appointments.

Recent support

Organizations ACF has supported

Presentation photographs from grant distributions to recipient organizations.

  • Two adults and seven students in matching blue shirts presenting a large ACF grant check in a school hallway

    Newman Catholic Girls State Golf

    $500 · May 2026

  • Three women presenting a large ACF grant check at Charlie Brown Preschool & Child Care

    Charlie Brown Preschool & Child Care

    $5,000 · January 2026

  • Two people presenting a large ACF grant check for the Community Kitchen of NI in front of a stone fireplace

    Community Kitchen of NI

    $10,000 · January 2026

  • A large group of students and coaches presenting an ACF grant check outside the West Hancock Schools field house

    West Hancock Schools

    $500 · May 2026

  • Four people presenting a large ACF grant check for Nora Public Schools beside a stone fireplace and a folded flag case

    Nora Public Schools

    $5,000 · July 2026

  • Three people presenting a large ACF grant check for the Mustang Booster Club beside a stone fireplace

    Mustang Booster Club

    $2,500 · August 2026

  • Two women presenting a large ACF grant check for Kanabec County Extension in a stone-walled lobby

    Kanabec County Extension

    $5,000 · July 2026

  • Four people presenting a large ACF grant check for the Ionia Fire Department

    Ionia Fire Department

    $2,500 · July 2026

  • A large group of baseball players and coaches presenting an ACF grant check on the lawn of Newman Catholic

    Newman Catholic Baseball

    $500 · July 2026

  • Three people presenting a large ACF grant check for City of Clarion youth baseball and softball fields in an office lobby

    City of Clarion Youth Baseball & Softball Fields

    $10,000 · September 2025

  • Two people presenting a large ACF grant check for MC Schools Music Boosters in front of red stage curtains

    MC Schools Music Boosters

    $2,000 · July 2025

  • Three women presenting a large ACF grant check for KCMR Radio inside a radio station studio

    KCMR Radio

    $1,000 · July 2025

  • Three people presenting a large ACF grant check for United to Serve with Passion and Purpose in a lounge with a stone fireplace

    United to Serve with Passion + Purpose

    $1,000 · July 2025

  • Three people presenting a large ACF grant check for MC Public Library in front of library bookshelves

    MC Public Library

    $1,500 · July 2025

  • Two people presenting a large ACF grant check for the Elderbridge Agency on Aging beneath its office sign

    Elderbridge Agency on Aging

    $2,500 · July 2025

  • A group of five people presenting a large ACF grant check for Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa outdoors on a lawn

    Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa

    $2,500 · July 2025

  • Four people presenting a large ACF grant check for 43 North Iowa in a newly constructed room

    43 North Iowa

    $10,000 · July 2025

  • Five people on building steps presenting a large ACF grant check for Osage Parks & Rec for Burnham Park

    Osage Parks & Rec

    $10,500 · July 2025

Questions from nonprofit applicants

Clear answers before you share your organization’s information.

Read the Privacy Policy
Is funding available, and what does submission mean?

ACF has confirmed that funding is available for eligible nonprofit applications. Submission records a request for review; it is not an award. Typical review takes 7 to 30 days, and decisions depend on eligibility and available resources.

Read about financial assistance
Do I have to pay or share a password?

No. ACF does not ask for passwords, application fees, processing fees, gift cards, or any other payment to apply for or receive support. The form asks only for the listed organization information and documents.

Report a suspicious request
How is approved financial support provided?

If support is approved, it is provided only by bank check made payable to the organization and mailed to the organization’s address. No payment is required from an applicant to release funds.

Read the applicant safety notice
Which documents should I prepare?

Prepare an IRS document showing “IRS” and “Department of Treasury” in its header, your organization’s name and EIN, and a photo of the 501(c)(3) determination letter that your organization received from the IRS by mail. If you do not have a copy of your determination letter, you may request an affirmation letter from the IRS by calling 877-829-5500. A payslip or bank statement issued within the last 3 months is optional. Each file must be PDF, JPG, or PNG and no larger than 10 MB.

See document guidance
Can I check my application before sending it?

Yes. The review step shows the information and documents you selected. You can return to edit them before choosing Submit application. Attachments are not uploaded during this review step.

Open the application
Where can I find ACF’s public records?

The Transparency page includes copies of ACF’s Form 990-PF returns for tax years 2015 through 2024, available to view or download. Previously displayed organization-provided support totals remain withheld pending substantiation.

View transparency information

Applicant safety and financial support

ACF does not ask applicants for passwords, money, application fees, processing fees, gift cards, or any other payment to apply for or receive financial support. Only the organization information and supporting documents described in this application are requested.

If financial support is approved, it is provided only by a bank check made payable to the organization and mailed to the organization’s address. No payment from the applicant is required to release funds. Submitting an application does not guarantee financial support.

Contact ACF about a suspicious request

Latest updates

Official announcements will appear here.

There are no published announcements yet. Genuine grant opportunities, organizational updates, and official publications will be posted here when available.

See news and updates →