ALL WAYS UP Foundation

General

What is the mission of ALL WAYS UP?

ALL WAYS UP helps first-generation and low-income youth get to AND through college. By providing scholarships, support for other non-profit organizations and an annual leadership summit, we are working to bridge the gap between ambition and opportunity and break the generational cycle of poverty.

How do I apply to be a Community Partner?

All Ways Up selects our Community Partners through the Bridging the Gap Awards. This grant program opens every year in October and is the only way to apply to become a Community Partner.

We do not accept unsolicited proposals, but occasionally, we may extend a personal invitation to an organization whose work aligns with our mission. These organizations are generally working to improve the lives of youth through education, job readiness and leadership development, or working to improve low-income communities.

What are the priorities of ALL WAYS UP scholarships and grants?

ALL WAYS UP priorities are to assist individuals living in low-income communities. Current states include Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia.

Is ALL WAYS UP charitable giving limited to specific people or areas?

ALL WAYS UP’s main focus reflects its original mission of improving the lives of individuals who reside in Section 8 properties managed by PK Management. ALL WAYS UP supports other charitable organizations within its communities, and believes its greatest impact is in the communities where it has a physical presence.

Where can I learn more about ALL WAYS UP's recent activities?

To learn more about our recent activities or for any media inquiries, please visit the News & Media section of our website.

What can I do to help spread the word about ALL WAYS UP?

Scholarships

If I qualify, can I apply for multiple scholarships or grants?

Not at this time. ALL WAYS UP only grants one scholarship per person, per year.

Who reviews my scholarship application?

Applications are reviewed by the Scholarship Committee, which is comprised of business leaders, community members and GHC Housing Partners/PK Management employees, who collaborate on the selection of the recipients.

How do I nominate a student for a scholarship?

Nominations must be submitted by a qualifying Community Partner, school or organization.

Do you accept applications for students attending graduate programs?

No, at this time there are no scholarships available for graduate students. This may change in the future, so please check back regularly.

Do I have to be currently enrolled at a college or university to apply for a scholarship?

No, but you must be enrolled by the time the disbursements are made in August of each year and recipients must stay enrolled in school to maintain their eligibility.

Can I fax my application?

No, applications are only accepted online.

Do I need to send official transcripts or can they be unofficial copies?

The transcript can be an unofficial copy, but verification may be required.

Are scholarships offered to non-US citizens?

Scholarships generally are not made to non-US citizens, but requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

My GPA is under the required criteria. Would I still be eligible to apply for the scholarship?

No, you must meet the minimum GPA requirements. No GPA exceptions will be made.

If I am selected for an award, how will I be notified and when will I receive the funds?

Award recipients will be notified by phone or email. In addition, scholarship recipients’ names will be posted on our website. You can expect to receive the first distribution by the end of August. You will receive an email if you are not selected for an award.

If I received a scholarship last year, must I reapply or will my award be automatically renewed?

Prior recipients are required to reapply every year to renew his/her scholarship. No scholarships are renewed automatically.

What is the scholarship award range?

Scholarship awards vary depending on the need of the student and type of school. Scholarships can be as high as $2,500 per year.

What can the scholarship money be used for?

The scholarship awards assist students with expenses such as tuition, housing, room, board, tutoring, travel, equipment, and other education related expense not covered by financial aid.

Bridging the Gap Awards

What are the qualifications?

To qualify for the Bridging the Gap Award, organizations must:

- Be a charitable organization that is working to better the lives of those living in low-income communities

- Be a charitable organization which is exempt under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code

- Have a program model that can be implemented by other organizations

- Have a data tracking component that measures the success of the organization’s program(s)

- Have a budget of no less than $25,000 and, with limited exceptions, no greater than $1,000,000 per fiscal year

- Must be organized and operate in a state where GHC Housing Partners has a presence

What types of organizations are eligible?

The following organizations are eligible for funding:

- College preparation organizations that focus on disadvantaged communities

- Organizations that support the elderly in low-income communities

- Organizations that feed low-income communities (food banks not eligible)

- Mentoring organizations

- Organizations that focus on foster youth and aged-out foster youth

- Family and parental development organizations

- Literacy organizations

- Youth leadership organizations

- Arts organizations that focus on bringing art to low-income communities

- Community beautification organizations*

*Restrictions may apply

What organizations are not eligible?

The following organizations are not eligible for funding:

- Animal rights organizations
- Community activism organizations
- Food banks
- Organizations that do not have a PRIMARY mission of helping low-income communities
- Community housing corporations
- Adult homeless shelters
- Health and wellness organizations (such as diabetes research)
- One-time programs or events that do not work continuously with the same families or individuals
- Programs that do not work directly with participants (advocacy programs)
- Programs in existence less than one year
- Existing scholarship, internship or fellowship organizations
- Fraternities or sororities*
- Public or private educational institutions (smaller programs within educations institutions may be eligible) *
- For-profit organizations
- Politically focused, political campaigns and legislative lobbying organizations
- Projects that exclusively serve a religious purpose
- Endowments
- Local, state and national government agencies
- Film, video or exhibition projects
- Academic research
- Sports clubs*
- Funding or re-granting organizations
- Organizations related to the All Ways Up Foundation, or individuals within the organization, who have a personal or business relationship with the Foundation or any of its officers or directors

*Exceptions may apply

How do you define low-income communities?

Communities where a high percentage of its residents live at least 200% below the federal poverty guidelines.

What is your definition of "primary mission that must support low-income communities”?

We use the 80/20 rule. At least 80% of all your programs should focus on building up communities that are low- income. Your program cannot just happen to help some low-income individuals; it must be an integral part of your organization’s mission and structure. For example, a daycare that gives scholarships to lower income parents would not be eligible, unless its primary focus is to provide child care support to low-income families.

My organization focuses on animal rights and abuse. Are we eligible?

Unfortunately, not at this time. We currently only support organizations that are working to improve the lives of individuals living in low-income communities.

Ours is a religious organization; can we apply for this grant?

You may apply if your organization’s program is not religious-based; it reaches out to low-income individuals from your surrounding community; at least 50% of,these individuals are not members of your institution; and, attending religious services is not required. In addition to the above qualifications, the program budget should be stand alone and exceed $25,000 per year.

If my organization focuses on a very specific target group such as veterans, can we apply?

You may apply if your organization meets the 80/20 rule. You program must specifically focus on improving the lives of individuals living in low-income communities.

My organization is located in an eligible state or county, but provides services in another country, am I eligible?

Unfortunately, not at this time. We currently only support organizations that are working to improve the lives of individuals living low-income communities inside the U.S.

Donations and Charitable Giving

How can I contribute to the charitable work of ALL WAYS UP?

Every dollar donated to ALL WAYS UP goes directly into our programs. Yes, every dollar! Because all administration and operating costs are funded by ALL WAYS UP, all donations go directly to those in need.

As a public charity, ALL WAYS UP welcomes your donations and support to help further its philanthropic efforts. Monetary contributions may be sent via our website or by mail directly to our office at:

ALL WAYS UP
C/O Elisa Della Ripa
15301 Ventura Blvd., Suite B570
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

Please do not send cash. Tax deductions may be made to the extent permitted by law.
ALL WAYS UP is a charitable, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.

If I donate to ALL WAYS UP, where does my money go?

100% of all outside donations go directly to the programs and grants. ALL WAYS UP overhead costs are funded privately by the Perlman Family Foundation.

There is a specific program that I am interested in supporting. Can I give you a restricted donation to be used for that program only?

Yes, restricted donations are allowed, but not encouraged. ALL WAYS UP prefers unrestricted donations as they allow us to direct funds to the programs and individuals with the greatest needs.

What are the giving levels and minimum gift amounts?

ALL WAYS UP gladly accepts donations in any amount; however, we cannot process online gifts below $1.

- For your convenience, we offer several Planned Giving Membership Levels*:

- One Time Donations – Make a onetime donation in the amount of your choosing

- Automatic Monthly/Yearly Gift – Designate monthly or yearly giving, automatically deducted at a date of your choosing
- Dollar-a-Day – Make a quarterly or yearly donation totaling $365

Can I donate through payroll deductions at my job?

Some workplaces allow you to designate charitable gifts to a non-profit organization of your choice. Please contact your workplace’s human resources department to see if this option is available through your job.

Where do I send checks?

Checks should be sent to: ALL WAYS UP, C/O Elisa Della Ripa, 15301 Ventura Blvd. Suite B570, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

If I make a donation, how do I get my tax receipt?

ALL WAYS UP will mail a donation acknowledgement letter to every donor. If you do not wish to have a letter mailed, you can specify that at the time of your donation.Donations made throught our website will be automatically acknowledged with an email.

What is your donor privacy policy?

At no time does ALL WAYS UP share its donor list or information with third parties.