Grant Guidelines

Overview

Financial Capability and Asset Building

For many individuals, the ability to establish financial plans, maintain financial goals, and develop strategies for preserving their financial position during times of both economic prosperity and instability are critical factors in attaining economic success.The Citi Foundation supports programs that provide individuals with access to knowledge and incentives to establish financial behaviors that help them take control of their financial future and ensure long-term economic security. Recognizing that individuals have different financial priorities at different stages of their lives, the Citi Foundation supports programs that are relevant to the specific concerns and financial situations of adults, families and youth, coincide with key life events or moments of decision, enable consumers to put newly gained knowledge into action and develop long-term relationships to provide support and accountability in order to achieve greater financial stability.

Results we seek for this focus area include: Increases in the number of low- to moderate-income adults and/or youth who adopt positive financial behaviors and accumulate and preserve financial assets

We make the following types of investments in this focus area:

1. Investments in Direct Service
We support programs that help adults, youth and families gain financial knowledge and make positive changes to their financial behavior so that they can improve their financial situation and acquire and preserve assets over time. Examples of investments in this area include, but are not limited to – expansion or delivery of new or existing programs that provide personal financial education to youth that enables them to demonstrate their ability to set financial goals, manage, save and spend their money wisely; help adults access financial information, develop financial plans, select and appropriately manage financial products; and provide ongoing support that helps individuals redefine their financial goals over the course of their lives through financial counseling, ongoing coaching, financial management tools and workshops.

2. Investments in Capacity Building & Planning
Programs in this investment area strengthen the organizations we fund so that they can achieve and sustain stronger gains for those served. These programs focus on the needs of the organization and strengthen the ability of the organization to achieve its mission. Examples of investments in this area include, but are not limited to – the development of new financial capability approaches and tools; training and professional development that helps staff to deliver services more effectively or more broadly; and evaluation systems to assess client outcomes.

3. Investments in Systems Change
At times, we believe that the most pressing need is to make innovative improvements in larger systems that affect programs and people. Examples of investments in this area include, but are not limited to – convenings and research that provide policy makers and the financial capability and asset building fields with a deeper understanding of the role of financial education and coaching in changing financial behaviors and producing positive financial outcomes for participants; programs that set industry standards for the delivery of financial education and create better tools to assess its effectiveness in enhancing economic security for adults and youth. Back to top

Microfinance

For many households the usage of high-quality, low-cost financial services can be a critical first step towards achieving financial stability and building long-term financial assets. Consumers need safe and reliable ways to engage in the local economy and conduct basic financial transactions. Further, research has shown that households with access to fairly priced and appropriate financial products are more likely to save on a regular basis and use credit products to accelerate the asset building process. Accordingly, the Citi Foundation supports microfinance institutions (MFIs) and other non-profit organizations who seek to increase the supply of asset building financial products and services. Furthermore, the Citi Foundation seeks to identify innovative efforts that enhance an institution's ability to achieve scale and financial sustainability, and/or support the availability of products that allow consumers to achieve asset building goals while also increasing environmental sustainability.

Results we seek in this focus area include: Increases in the supply and use of financial products that improve and accelerate the financial inclusion of low- to moderate-income individuals.

We make the following types of investments in this focus area:

Investments in Direct Service
We support institutions that develop innovative financial products to help individuals and families move up the economic ladder and preserve financial gains. Examples of investments in this area include, but are not limited to - direct delivery of financial products including credit, savings, and remittance products.

Investments in Capacity Building & Planning
Programs in this investment area strengthen the organizations we fund so that they can achieve and sustain stronger results for those served. These programs focus on the needs of the organization and strengthen the ability of the organization to achieve its mission. Examples of investments in this area include, but are not limited to – development of new products, issues around human capital or talent such as training and professional development that helps staff to deliver services more effectively, measuring social impact, financial sustainability and strategic communications.

Investments in Systems Change
At times, we believe that the most pressing need is to make innovative and paradigm-shifting improvements in the larger systems that affect markets, institutions, and people. Examples of investments in this area include, but are not limited to – programs that create alignment between local policy makers and finance industry leaders to best support the microfinance industry, applied research programs that test, disseminate, and promote models for increasing scale, and supporting green business development and access to green products. Back to top

Enterprise Development

Micro and small enterprises are powerful and efficient drivers of economic growth and job creation globally. The Citi Foundation supports the growth of these enterprises by investing in their institutional capacity along with enhancing their access to capital. However, capital and institutional capacity are not enough to guarantee long-term success and scale. These enterprises must also focus on addressing such issues as environmental sustainability, changing business practice standards, and shifting regulatory environments if they are going to identify opportunities and succeed in a rapidly changing global economy. The Citi Foundation is particularly interested in activities that support green enterprise development that generates "triple bottom-line" economic, environmental and social benefits as this multiplies the impact of our investment.

Results we seek in this focus area include: Increases in the number of micro or small enterprises that provide new income generation and/or employment opportunities for low- to moderate-income individuals

We make the following types of investments in this focus area:

Investments in Direct Service
We support programs that help individuals and families move up the economic ladder and preserve financial gains. Examples of investments in this area include, but are not limited to – expansion or delivery of new or existing programs that create jobs, distribute products or services of social benefit, provide enterprise development training, create access to capital, develop green businesses and supply chains.

Investments in Capacity Building & Planning
At times, we believe that making an investment to strengthen the organizations we fund so that they can achieve and sustain stronger results for those served is the best investment we can make. These programs focus on the needs of the organization and strengthen the ability of the organization to achieve its mission. Examples of investments in this area include, but are not limited to – development of new programming, training and professional development that helps staff to deliver services more effectively and programs focused on strategy, fundraising, strategic planning or impact evaluation.

Investments in Systems Change
At times, we believe that the most pressing need is to make innovative improvements in the larger systems that affect programs and people. Examples of investments in this area include, but are not limited to – supporting networks or intermediaries that attract new investment capital, research and convenings that support environmental sustainability to foster "triple bottom-line" enterprise growth. Back to top

College Success (in the U.S.)

In the United States, obtaining a postsecondary degree is paramount to increasing earning power and breaking inter-generational cycles of poverty. Therefore, we are focused on efforts to generate a sustainable increase in the number of low- to moderate-income and first generation students who enroll in postsecondary education programs and obtain a degree.

Results we seek in this focus area include: Increases in the number of low- to moderate-income secondary school students who are meeting the academic, financial and social milestones to enroll in and complete postsecondary education

We make the following types of investments in this focus area:

Investments in Direct Service
We support programs that help individuals and families move up the economic ladder and preserve gains. Examples of investments in this area include, but are not limited to - expansion or delivery of new or existing programs that assist students through the college search, application, financial aid process and academic preparation to increase enrollment in higher education programs and succeed in obtaining a postsecondary degree; and programs that provide financial education to families about saving for college and strategies for financing a college education.

Investments in Capacity Building & Planning
Programs in this investment area strengthen the organizations we fund so that they can achieve and sustain stronger results for those served. These programs focus on the needs of the organization and strengthen the ability of the organization to achieve its mission. Examples of investments in this area include, but are not #limited to – development of new programming, training and professional development that help a nonprofit organization's staff to deliver services more effectively and initiatives that help schools and nonprofit organizations define and measure their success in terms of the number of students who enroll and complete a postsecondary degree or certificate.

Investments in Systems Change
At times, we believe that the most pressing need is to make innovative improvements in the larger systems that affect programs and people. Examples of investments in this area include, but are not limited to – programs that create alignment between local policy makers, education leaders and practitioners to dramatically increase college enrollment and graduation levels or education-related convenings or research that improves the understanding of successful interventions. Back to top

Youth Education and Livelihoods (outside the U.S.)

In countries where successfully completing secondary school is an important milestone, we focus on efforts to help these students, gain 21st century skills and access educational, financial and employment resources needed to set them on the path to economic success. In countries where obtaining a postsecondary degree is critical, we focus on increasing the number of low-income students who enroll and complete postsecondary education and increase their earning potential. .

Results we seek in this focus area include: Increases in the number of low-income youth, ages 13-25, who complete secondary school, become employed, start their own income-generating business or obtain postsecondary education or training

We make the following types of investments in this focus area:

Investments in Direct Service
We support programs that help individuals move up the economic ladder and preserve gains. Examples of investments in this area include, but are not limited to -school and community-based programs that provide specific and measurable skills to youth, ages 13-25, to improve their future employment or higher education prospects. We invest in programs that help students identify business and career opportunities; build employability skills such as program management, problem-solving and interpersonal skills; develop technical skills needed by the labor market; provide job placement services and build entrepreneurial skills through the creation of simulated or real businesses. We also support programs that assist students through the higher education search, application and financial aid process to increase enrollment and success in obtaining a postsecondary degree; and programs that provide financial education to families about saving for university and strategies for financing a university education.

Investments in Capacity Building & Planning
Programs in this investment area strengthen the organizations we fund so that they can achieve and sustain stronger results for those served. These programs focus on the needs of the organization and strengthen the ability of the organization to achieve its mission. Examples of investments in this area include, but are not limited to -the development of new programs that facilitate students' school-to-career transition; training that helps staff deliver job placement or further education services more effectively; and initiatives that help practitioners define and measure results.

Investments in Systems Change
At times we believe that the most pressing need is to make innovative improvements in larger systems that affect programs and people. Examples of investments in this area include, but are not limited to – programs that create alignment between local policy makers, education leaders, the business community and practitioners to dramatically increase youth employment, postsecondary enrollment and completion levels; or education-related convenings or research that improve the understanding of successful interventions to improve young peoples' employability prospects or postsecondary enrollment and completion. Back to top

Neighborhood Revitalization (in the U.S.)

The Citi Foundation is committed to maintaining economically vibrant communities and households in the United States. We seek to do this by increasing the flow of capital to communities that results in the development or preservation of high-quality affordable housing that lowers a household’s daily living costs; the rehabilitation of commercial corridors that generate incremental income and economic activity; and the development of community facilities such as charter schools and community centers that create a foundation for pursuing economic opportunity and neighborhood stability. Additionally, we are committed to building the capacity of community development organizations to drive investment into their neighborhoods and preserve those gains. The organizations typically supported include nonprofit community development corporations (CDCs), community development intermediaries (CDIs) and community development financial institutions (CDFIs) whose programs build and revitalize neighborhoods leading to economic growth and stability in the communities they serve.

Results we seek in this focus area include: Increases in the number of small businesses, affordable housing units or community facilities that contribute to the economic and/or environmental sustainability of low- to moderate-income communities

We make the following types of investments in this focus area:

Investments in Direct Service
We support programs that help individuals and families move up the economic ladder and preserve gains. Examples of investments in this area include, but are not limited to – predevelopment activities, supplying capital, training, or technical assistance for programs that increase the availability of affordable housing and community facilities in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods, as well as the revitalization of commercial corridors in low- to moderate-income communities.

Investments in Capacity Building & Planning
Programs in this investment area strengthen the organizations we fund so that they can achieve and sustain stronger gains for the individuals, families or communities they serve. These programs focus on the needs of the organization and strengthen the ability of the organization to achieve its mission. Examples of investments in this area include, but are not limited to – development of new programming, planning and direction-setting efforts, and training and professional development to build the capacity of community-based organizations to better serve communities for the purpose of reducing development costs, assessing impact and enhancing programs.

Investments in Systems Change
At times, we believe that the most pressing need is to make innovative improvements in the larger systems that affect programs and people. Examples of investments in this area include, but are not limited to – supporting networks or intermediaries that attract new investment capital to the field of community development; programs that spur local policy makers and community stakeholders to address key issues that will support the revitalization of distressed neighborhoods; or increasing scale through building awareness of innovative community development models such as transit-oriented developments or the development of "green communities." Back to top

The Citi Foundation does not provide funding related to:

• Advertising, special events, dinners, telethons, benefits, or fundraising activities
• Religious, veteran or fraternal organizations (unless they are # engaged in a project benefiting an entire community)
• Individuals
• Political causes, campaigns, or candidates
• Memorials
• Private Foundations
• Requests deemed as "pass-through" funding
• Matched funds

To be considered for funding, applicants must have IRS 501(c)(3) status and a Federal Employment Identification Number, or they must be a registered school, university, or government entity.