Starbucks offers grants to nonprofits

Starbucks is encouraging Lincoln area nonprofit organizations to apply for grants by March 11. For the first time in five years, all counties in Northern California are eligible to apply for the Starbucks Grants for Giving Program. "Starbucks is giving away $375,000 to nonprofits organizations," said Steve Kerr, manager of the Starbucks in Lincoln. Kerr noted there is a large poster in the Starbucks in the Lincoln Town Center alerting people to the grant program but he still wants people to be aware of what the program offers to eligible nonprofits. "The information on the grants for giving program is spreading but we really want to get the word out," Kerr said. "The letter of intent from the applicant must be to the San Francisco office by 5 p.m. March 11, that's really important," he said.Kerr stressed that a major thrust of Starbucks' policy is for the employees to be involved in the community and to be able to be a part of projects that can make a difference within the community where they live and work. "We are looking for projects that will make a visible and tangible difference in the community," he said. Kerr noted that examples of this might be a grant for playground equipment at a school or a halfway house for abused women. The program, Grants for Giving, has been in existence for five years in select counties in Northern California. This year all counties in the northern portion of the state are eligible. Applicants must meet eligibility requirement, and while all nonprofits are encouraged to apply, the program does have a specific focus."Giving back has always been an important part of the Starbucks mission and the Grants for Giving program demonstrates our continued commitment to helping children and families in the neighborhoods where we do business," Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman said. Organizations that have been awarded grants in the past include Elk Grove Unified School District's Twilight Program, Sports4Kids, The Monument Crisis Center, San Francisco Women Against Rape, Open Door Community Health Centers and Project HELP, according to a press release from Starbucks. Local nonprofits that are interested in applying must go through five steps. Verify eligibility of the organization, create cover sheet, complete the application, attach pertinent documents and submit the application before March 11 to the San Francisco office of Starbucks. For complete information call (415) 241-0256, Ext. 2223 or visit the Starbucks Web site at www.starbucks.com. Application materials will not be accepted at local Starbucks. Julie Foster can be reached at julief@goldcountrymedia.com.