LLNS Community Giving Program

Gift Program Eligibility and Criteria

The LLNS Community Gift Program is open to publicly funded California K–14 schools, community colleges, IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and government agencies. Eligible organizations must serve the Tri-Valley (Livermore, Amador and San Ramon valleys) or the counties surrounding LLNL, including Alameda, Contra Costa and San Joaquin counties. Organizations must demonstrate financial sustainability and viability. Recipients will be required to account for gift expenditures and report program outcomes.

General Requirements

• Budget Required: All applications must include a detailed budget outlining how gift funds will be used. (Please email your proposed budgets in spreadsheet or table form to llns-gift [at] llnl.gov (llns-gift[at]llnl[dot]gov).)
• Future Expenses Only: Gift funds may only be used for future purchases and project expenses. Reimbursement for items already purchased prior to award notification is not eligible.
• Prior Reporting Compliance: Organizations that previously received LLNS gift funds but failed to submit an acceptable Gift Accountability Report by the due date are not eligible for the current cycle.
• 501(c)(3) Verification: IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) organizations must have current registration status with the California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General's Registry of Charitable Trusts. Applicants are responsible for verifying their status prior to submission using the state of California's online tool.
• Application Limit: With the exception of K–14 educational institutions (see below), each organization may submit only one application per cycle.

Additional Requirements for K–14 Educational Institutions

• Application Prioritization: If multiple applications are submitted from the same school, they must be prioritized by the principal or dean.
• Eligible Educational Entities: Applications may be submitted by public and charter schools and County Offices of Education in Alameda, Contra Costa and San Joaquin counties.
• Required Endorsement: All school-related applications must include endorsement from the appropriate principal or dean. (Please send email endorsements to %20llns-gift [at] llnl.gov (llns-gift[at]llnl[dot]gov).)

Faith-Based Organizations

• Faith-based organizations are eligible to apply; however, gift funds may not be used for religious purposes.

Ineligible Requests

Due to the high volume of applications received each year, LLNS is unable to fund all requests in full. LLNS may, at its discretion, award partial funding in an amount less than that requested by the applicant. Applications will be deemed ineligible if they include any of the following (LLNS reserves the right to determine ineligibility for other expenses or circumstances not specifically identified below):

• Applications submitted without a required budget
• 501(c)(3) organizations that are not current with the California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General's Registry of Charitable Trusts
• Prior recipients who failed to complete required reporting (e.g., Gift Accountability Reports)
• General administrative, operational, salary, advertising or general organizational support expenses
• Printing of general promotional materials
• Retroactive purchases or reimbursement for items already purchased
• Computers, laptops or tablets
• Software licenses
• Building construction, renovations or infrastructure improvements
• Lodging expenses
• Transportation of any kind, including the purchase or rental of vehicles
• Fundraising activities or event sponsorships (e.g., walk-a-thons, dinners)
• Food or beverages for events or fundraising
• Promotional items or apparel
• Trophies or awards
• Gift cards
• Home-based childcare or educational services
• Organizations primarily benefiting or serving animals
• Individual sponsorships or scholarships of any kind
• Registration or entry fees
• Sales tax, shipping, delivery or handling charges
• Fraternal, labor, social or athletic associations, organizations or clubs
• Political or lobbying organizations, or those supporting the candidacy of specific individuals
• Non-U.S. organizations or organizations whose activities are primarily national or international in scope

Review Process and Notification

The LLNS Community Gift Program Application Review Committee evaluates all eligible applications and submits award recommendations to the LLNS President for approval.

Applicants will be notified of their application status by mid–November via email or telephone. Please ensure that all contact information provided in the application is current and accurate.