Grant Funding Guidelines

Grants

Stater Bros. Charities funds nonprofit organizations that help strengthen the communities Stater Bros. Markets serves. Please refer to the guidelines below.

Organizations and Causes We Support

Hunger Relief

Children's Well-being

Education

Health

Veterans, Active Duty, & Frist Responders

Pet Well-being

Hunger
Relief

Children's
Well-being

Education

Health

Veterans, Active Duty, & First Responders

Pet
Well-being

Eligibility

Stater Bros. Charities will consider support for organizations that meet the following criteria:

  • Must be registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Tax-exempt status must be in good standing under the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
  • Organization has been operating and providing services for a minimum of two years.
  • Meets a need in the communities where Stater Bros. Markets operates, including San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, Kern, and Ventura counties.
  • Organization’s mission and programs must align with our focus areas: hunger relief, children’s well-being, education, health, care for veterans, active service members, and first responders, and pet well-being.
  • Organization allocates at least 70% of expenses to program services.
  • Can apply once per calendar year.

Exclusions

  • Individuals or for-profit organizations.
  • Political organizations or activities.
  • Capital or building (brick and mortar) campaigns.
  • Seed money.
  • General operating expenses i.e. rent, payroll, and other overhead costs.
  • Meetings, conferences, or workshops.
  • Travel expenses, including student trips or tours.
  • Sports or athletic events.
  • In-kind donations i.e. food, gift cards, gift baskets, etc.
  • Fundraising dinners, galas, and special events. We generally do not sponsor events, as we prefer to fund program services directly rather than offsetting event expenses.
  • Organizations that deny service to a potential client or beneficiary based on race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, veteran, or disability status.
  • Organizations that are more than 75% government funded.

How to Apply - Application Process

Annual grant cycle open dates

Our annual grant cycle is open February 1st – July 31st

If you are new to GrantsConnect, you will need to create an account to proceed with the application. Please see instructions below for more details.

Organization will complete an eligibility questionnaire to ensure it meets our funding criteria and can proceed with the application.

Organization must provide the required documentation, including proof of 501(c)(3) nonprofit status (IRS Determination Letter) and most recent 990 Form. If the organization is exempt from filing a 990, you must include a copy of your most recent profit and loss statement.

Confirm your organization’s mailing address, if different from the physical address.

What to expect - Application Review Process

Review Process

Applications are reviewed in order of date/time of submission.

Applications are screened for eligibility and basic requirements. If it does not meet the requirements, then your application is likely to be rejected.

Organizations are vetted through the IRS, GuideStar, and other nonprofit databases

Grant awards are determined by the application substance, financial review, and Stater Bros. Charities’ budget availability.

Budget availability: Stater Bros. Charities operates with an annual funding budget and allocates funding for each of its six initiatives. For example, once our ‘education’ budget has been fulfilled, any pending applications applying under education will be declined.

Grants typically range from $500 to $2,500.

If awarded, organizations are expected to provide a progress report (6) six months after receiving the grant. See Progress Report Submission instructions below.

Applicants will be notified of the application status/outcome via email. Please ensure the applicant’s email address is correct.

Allow for a 120-day response time from the date of submission.

Application Instructions

All nonprofit organizations are required to apply online via GrantsConnect, grant management platform

New to GrantsConnect?

New to the GrantsConnect platform?

  • Click the “Apply Now” button below.
  • Create a GrantsConnect account by selecting the “Sign up” tab.
    • Login credentials are required in order to access your account and manage your applications.
  • Select the “Get Started” button in the “Welcome” email to confirm your email address and sign in.
    • Follow the instructions to verify your account.
  • Click the “Start new application” button to apply for a Stater Bros. Charities grant!

Already have a GrantsConnect account?

  • Click the “Apply Now” button below.
  • Log in with your email address and password.
  • Select the “Sign in” button.
  • Enter the verification code sent to the registered email and click the “Sign in” button.
  • View all of your grant applications or start a new application.

Note: If you are having issues signing up or with the application, click “Need assistance?” in the portal to connect with Customer Support.

Progress Report Submission

Report Submission

Submit report to the Stater Bros. Charities email at charities@staterbros.com

Report should be submitted (6) six months after receiving the grant.

Report should include the following information:

  • Nonprofit’s name, program name/description, award amount, and funding initiative.
  • How Stater Bros. Charities’ funding was utilized.
  • If the funding has not been used, explain why.
  • How many individuals were impacted.
  • Was Stater Bros. Charities recognized? If so, explain how.
  • Optional: Include other relevant information, i.e., success stories, client testimonials, photos, videos, etc.

Accepting Applications Now!

The 2026 grant cycle is currently open and will close July 31, 2026. 

Apply Now