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Our Mission

Together, we're using flowers to advance causes of justice & charity in our community

About Us

At The Flowers for Dreams Foundation, we are committed to funding small and local charities in our community. As a B Corporation, our partner Flowers for Dreams LLC has always believed business should be a force for good. Since 2012, Flowers for Dreams LLC has donated more than 25% of its net profits to local causes. Together, we have now combined to donate over $850,000 to 150 charities and counting.

10 Years • 150+ Charities • $1,030,368 IN ALL-TIME DONATIONS

$30,440

Animal Rescue

$86,944

Black Lives

$21,082

Domestic Violence

$153,964

Education

$12,010

The Great Lakes

$27,368

Gun Violence

$25,087

Refugees

$17,877

Veterans

$63,689

Mental Health

Meet our recent DAC Members

The Donation Advisory Committee (DAC) includes a diverse group of employees, nonprofit leaders, community stakeholders and local customers who recommend amazing charities for our Foundation to consider.

Azariah Baker

Student at George Westinghouse College Prep

Founder of Austin Harvest

Veronika Brown

Director of Annual Fund & Donor Engagement

Chicago Public Library Foundation

Christine Doucet

Director

Ace Hardware Foundation

Emily Fons

Attorney

Godfrey & Kahn S.C.

Drew Hawley

Lead Milwaukee Designer

Flowers for Dreams

Liz Jansen

Executive Director

Women Unite!

Alex Mayo

Sales & Marketing Lead

Flowers for Dreams

Heather Owen

Executive Director

One Tail At A Time

Carrie Waggoner

Experiential Manager

Flowers for Dreams

Michael Zucker

Head of Sales

Flowers for Dreams

BOARD MEMBERS

Cam Balzer

Principal

Even Better

Joseph Dickstein

Co-Founder

Flowers for Dreams

Steven Dyme

Co-Founder & CEO

Flowers for Dreams

Sandy Nuccio

CPA, Senior Adviser

Flowers for Dreams

Alex Wasserman

Head of Accounting & Finance

Flowers for Dreams

WE FUND Nonprofits with a 501c3 status Nonprofits located in the Flowers for Dreams service area Nonprofits who prioritize local and shine light on disadvantaged communities Nonprofits who stand boldly against racism, discrimination, and injustice Nonprofits working to foster civic engagement and ensure equity
WE DO NOT FUND Fiscally sponsored organizations Research or research projects Scholarship funds International organizations Chambers of Commerce Organization Size: The Foundation does not make awards to organizations with annual operating budgets that exceed $15 million dollars. Additionally, the foundation typically prioritizes organizations with annual operating budgets below $10 million dollars.
CAUSE CYCLES The Flowers for Dreams Foundation operates in four to five seasonal Cause Cycles and gives its largest grants through the Core Fund. During each Cause Cycle, the Board will typically select from charities in every metropolitan area where Flowers for Dreams has a brick & mortar presence (currently Chicago, Detroit, and Milwaukee). Reporting Requirements: Grants awarded via our Cause Cycles are typically unrestricted. However, the Foundation does require a report one year after awards are distributed outlining how the money was used, the impact it had, and the number of people served.
RESPONSE FUND In addition to the Core Fund which serves each Cause Cycle, the Foundation operates a smaller Response Fund. Grants distributed through the Response Fund are not on a predetermined schedule, and instead get determined in real-time as a response to pressing social, environmental, and community issues. Examples of Response Fund grants include frontline support during COVID-19, combating voter suppression, and promoting gun control in the wake of shootings.
DEADLINE AND REVIEW PROCESS Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis and year-round. For example, those submitted in June 2021 will remain on file through December 2021. Each quarter, the Board with recommendations from the Donation Advisory Committee (DAC) reviews applications and selects awardees for the forthcoming Cause Cycle. Applications are typically reviewed in March, May, August, and December of each year.
Interested in applying for a grant? APPLY FOR NEXT SEASON
RESOURCES Enjoy these helpful resources available to nonprofits.
LEADERSHIP How to manage leadership and develop strong boards with BoardSource. Learn More
GRANT WRITING Tips on writing a grant proposal from AmpliFund. Learn More
CONSULTING Affordable capacity-building services from Women Unite! Learn More
COURSES Free online courses from Nonprofitready.org. Learn More

Meet Our Charities

Chicago

Milwaukee

Detroit

2022
2021
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2019
2018
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2016

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