Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Qwest Foundation's funding priorities?
Qwest Foundation® focuses on enriching the lives of children by supporting solid preK-12 educational programs. Educating children is the cornerstone for building strong and enlightened communities.
The Foundation will consider programs that:
- Effectively use technology to improve preK-12 public school instruction
- Promote innovative models to strengthen preK-12 public school education
- Improve the skills and leadership of educators and parents
- Promote innovative early childhood education programs
- Promote diversity awareness and cultural competency
United Way
Qwest provides direct support for United Ways that provide services where we do business.
The Board of the Qwest Foundation will consider, from time to time, making additional grants to meet urgent local, regional or national community needs, while maintaining a core focus on preK-12 education.
Are there funding restrictions?
The Qwest Foundation guidelines exclude:
- Direct grants or scholarships to individuals
- Political organizations
- Sectarian religious activities
- Capital campaigns, chairs or endowments
- Private foundations or pass-through organizations
- General operating funds
- Goodwill advertising
- Organizations that receive 3 percent or more of funds from United Way
Is there a deadline to apply?
No, requests are reviewed on an on-going basis.
What is the dollar range of the grant award?
Qwest Foundation does not have a range for grant amounts. Many factors, including the specific program or project to be funded and the organization making the request, determine funding amounts. Based on the past several years, the average grant size ranged between $5,000 and $10,000.
Does Qwest offer an employee matching gift program for cash contributions?
At the current time, Qwest offers an employee matching program for volunteer time. Employees who volunteer 40 or more hours of service to a non-profit organization over a 6 month time period are eligible to apply for a $500 grant for that non-profit organization. Employees simply complete an application and submit it with proof of 501(c)(3) status to the Qwest Foundation for processing.
Whom do I contact with sponsorship requests?
For sponsorship requests, please submit a proposal at www.sponsorwise.com/qwest.
Does the Foundation provide scholarships for individuals?
No, scholarships for individuals are outside of our funding guidelines.
Who manages the Foundation's assets?
Qwest Foundation's assets are managed internally by Qwest Asset Management.
Can individuals apply for grants?
The Qwest Foundation is unable to provide direct grants or scholarships to individuals.
Whom do I contact for general inquiries regarding Qwest Communications?
You can call 800-244-1111.
Notice of Non Discrimination: As a matter of policy, the Qwest Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, or physical disability.