The Dermody Properties Foundation is a philanthropic entity established in 1988 by the employees of Dermody Properties, a private real estate investment, development, and management firm. Founded on a commitment to corporate social responsibility, the foundation is fully funded through the contributions and labor of the company's employees. Over the years, the Foundation has granted more than $3.65 million to nonprofit organizations across the United States, prioritizing initiatives that support the arts, education, families, and particularly the needs of children, seniors, the disabled, individuals facing substance abuse, and the homeless.
The Foundation operates an annual grant cycle that begins with the release of its application in June. All applications must be submitted online by August 1st of each year. Grants are generally awarded in amounts ranging from $500 to $3,000. The initial review of applications is conducted by the Foundation Administrator. Final funding decisions are made by the Foundation’s Board of Directors at their annual meeting in November.
To be considered for funding, applicants must submit a completed online grant application along with supporting documentation, which includes IRS verification of 501(c)(3) status, a current list of the organization’s board of directors, and the organization’s current operating budget. Applications that fail to provide all requested documents may be disqualified or delayed in review.
The Dermody Properties Foundation only funds 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations operating within the United States. While the Foundation does not explicitly restrict funding to any one state or region, grantees are typically located in the communities where Dermody Properties conducts its business operations. Previous grantees include a wide array of community service organizations such as food banks, youth development programs, educational initiatives, health service providers, and housing support services.
The Foundation emphasizes programs that deliver measurable impacts in the areas of food security, youth development, access to healthcare, housing stability, and educational advancement. While the Foundation does not specify particular evaluation criteria, past recipients highlight the importance of demonstrating community benefit, operational effectiveness, and alignment with the Foundation’s mission to improve lives through targeted philanthropic investment.
For questions or additional guidance on the application process, applicants are encouraged to contact Taylor Ruepp via email at truepp@dermody.com. Notifications of grant awards are typically issued following the Board’s annual meeting in November, with disbursements made shortly thereafter.
Ensure all required documents are uploaded; incomplete applications may be delayed or denied.
