Foundation FAQs
The Maximus Foundation is a colleague-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by a varied network of contributors across the company. While the Corporate Giving Team provides full-time operational support to the Foundation, its success is sustained by a broader community of volunteers.
This includes:
- Foundation Ambassadors, who champion the Foundation’s mission within their teams and help connect colleagues to engagement opportunities.
- Board Members, who volunteer their time to guide strategy, uphold governance, and steward relationships with nonprofit partners.
- Maximus staff, who actively shape funding decisions by nominating and voting for nonprofit organizations aligned with our mission and values.
Our team is deeply committed to its mission of supporting grantmaking, relationship stewardship, and day-to-day operations.
Beyond the Foundation, the Corporate Giving Team also supports Maximus’ broader philanthropic strategy. This includes reviewing philanthropic partnerships and managing key relationships on behalf of the Office of the CEO, such as disaster response.
Together, this collective effort reflects Maximus’ commitment to community-led change, thoughtful stewardship, and collaborative impact.
Grantmaking strategy
The Maximus Foundation’s giving strategy is led by Maximus colleagues and focused on the community. Every year, our staff nominate nonprofits into our invitation-only grant cycle. After the application and review process, Maximus staff vote on finalists and let the Foundation know which organizations they’d like to see become grantee partners. Our nonprofit partners are then awarded general operating support grants so they can quickly meet the needs of the communities we both serve.
In 2025, the Maximus Foundation launched an evolved grantmaking strategy aimed at enhancing support for nonprofit partners and better reflecting the voices of our colleagues. This approach includes:
- Two grant types: one-time and multi-year general operating support grants.
- Expanded staff involvement: All Maximus employees and contingent staff are eligible to nominate and vote, and donor status is no longer a consideration for participation.
This strategy is grounded in our commitment to mutually accountable partnership, responsible stewardship, and a belief that those closest to the work are best equipped to guide it. By providing flexible funding and encouraging broader staff involvement, we aim to help organizations develop lasting, community-driven solutions.
The Foundation focuses on funding community-led nonprofits that make a difference through community involvement and ensure everyone has what they need to thrive.
Our areas of impact include, but are not limited to:
Building strong communities
- Ensuring food access for all
- Empowering community growth and resilience
- Reducing homelessness
- Creating pathways to employment
Advancing health access and wellbeing
- Promoting access to healthcare
- Enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities
- Combating HIV and other infectious diseases
- Transforming chronic care management
- Preventing abuse and intimate partner violence
Supporting individuals and families
- Championing Veterans’ wellbeing
- Inspiring youth potential
- Fostering lifelong learning opportunities
The Maximus Foundation awards two types of grants: The Maximus Foundation Impact Grant and the Maximus Community Choice Grant.
Impact Grants
Our first multi-year funding opportunity, awarding $150,000 over three consecutive years to organizations focused on ensuring food access for all.
These grants are designed to:
- Support long-term planning and program stability
- Build deeper relationships between the Foundation and nonprofit partners
- Help address persistent challenges with sustained support
*Each year, the Impact Grant theme is shaped by input from colleagues and finalized by the board.
Community Choice Grants
One-time grants of $10,000 are awarded to organizations whose work spans the Foundation’s impact themes.
These grants are designed to:
- Respond to a wide range of community needs
- Reflect the various interests and insights of Maximus staff
- Celebrate organizations making a tangible difference in people’s lives
Grant application process
From nomination to grant disbursement, here’s how the process works:
1. Nomination: Our invitation-only process begins when an organization receives a nomination from a Maximus staff member.
2. Initial screening: Organizations undergo a screening for alignment with at least one Maximus Foundation impact theme.
3. Organization registration: Aligned organizations are invited to complete Organization Registration, which includes collecting general organizational information, initial eligibility documents, learning about our grant cycle, and selecting which grant type to pursue.
4. Application: Eligible organizations are invited to complete the application for their selected grant type and share more about their organization’s mission and impact.
5. Application review: Applications are reviewed for alignment with the Foundation’s mission, proven and projected community impact, and financial stability.
6. Finalist selection & voting: Finalist organizations for both grant types are chosen. Maximus staff participate in a company-wide vote to help determine grantee partners.
7. Board approval: The Foundation Board reviews voting results and finalizes the list of grantee partners.
8. Notification and disbursement: Awardees are notified, the new grantee cohort is announced, and funds are disbursed.
9. Ongoing partnership: Partnership between the grantee partners and the Foundation continues for the duration of the grant.
January: Nominations
- The grant cycle begins in January with an open call for nominations.
- All Maximus employees and contingent staff are invited to nominate nonprofit organizations making meaningful contributions in their communities.
- Organizations aligned with at least one Maximus Foundation impact theme are invited to apply.
February – April: Applications & Review
- Applications are reviewed by Board members and corporate staff
- Reviews consider:
- Alignment with the Foundation’s mission
- Proven and projected community impact
- Financial stability
- Finalists are selected for both grant types, and preparations begin for a company-wide vote.
May – June: Voting & Awarding
- All Maximus staff are invited to learn about and vote on finalist organizations.
- The Foundation Board reviews voting results and finalizes the list of grantee partners, ensuring the annual budget is fully allocated.
- Awardees are notified, the new grantee cohort is announced, and funds are disbursed.
Why this process?
It reflects our belief in collaboration and shared responsibility where staff help guide funding decisions and strengthen our connection to the communities we serve.
Please note that the grantmaking cycle is invitation only and requires that organizations meet the following general eligibility requirements:
- Receive a nomination from a current Maximus staff member
- Provide proof of current 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
- Align with at least one Maximus Foundation impact theme
- Operate primarily within the United States
Maximus Foundation Impact Grant: Additional eligibility requirements
- Organizational focus on addressing food access and creating systemic change
- Audited financials from within the last two years
*Each year, the Impact Grant theme is directly informed by staff votes and determined by the board.
Here is some information to know before getting started:
- Invitation-only: Organizations must be nominated by a Maximus staff member to apply.
- One nomination needed: Multiple nominations do not increase the likelihood of funding.
- Pursue one grant type: Organizations must select one grant type to pursue during Organization Registration.
- Staff involvement: Maximus staff may nominate organizations they support in a formal capacity (ex: board membership)
- Eligibility requirements: See our eligibility requirements.
- Characteristics of a strong application:
- Demonstrate a clear track record of impact and addressing root causes
- Show alignment with the Foundation’s mission and impact themes
- Include a well-articulated theory of change and accurate documentation
To support applicants as they navigate our grant process, the Foundation hosts an informational session and offers office hours during the application period.
To apply, your organization must be nominated by a current Maximus staff member. The best way to get nominated is by building authentic relationships with employees who know your work, often through shared community involvement.
To increase visibility, you can complete our optional Engagement Interest Form, which adds your organization to an internal database and helps staff discover organizations for future engagement. Joining this database does not guarantee funding or a nomination.
You may also connect with Maximus staff through professional networks like LinkedIn to share your mission and impact. These conversations may lead to a request for nomination.
If you're experiencing issues accessing the Foundation’s grant portal, we recommend following these steps:
- Go to maximus.com/grant-portal and please email a screenshot of the error and a brief description to MaximusCharitableFoundation@maximus.com.
- You may also schedule time with our team using this booking link for live troubleshooting support via screenshare. Please note that our booking link has had issues with Gmail addresses, so we recommend using a different email address when booking your appointment.
Reporting requirements
Organizations awarded a Maximus Foundation grant are asked to submit an Impact Report via the grant portal. Due dates will be communicated to the latest contact associated with your grant application.
This report helps us understand how the funding supported your mission and informs future storytelling and learning.
The report mirrors your original application proposal and includes:
- Inputs: Resources and partnerships that supported your program
- Outputs: Services or products delivered, including relevant metrics
- Outcomes: Measurable effects on individuals or issues served
- Impact: Broader or long-term changes resulting from your work
- Stories of Impact: Success stories to share with donors and staff
We aim to balance accountability with respect for your time and capacity. While we continue exploring ways to reduce reporting burdens, Impact Reports remain a required part of our grant process.
Impact Reports are not used to evaluate future applications. However, they may be featured in communications that are focused on the impact of the Foundation’s partnerships, such as:
- Annual reports
- Website blogs
- Social media spotlights
- Internal staff updates
How to contact us
Our team works remotely, so email is the best way to reach us.
Email: MaximusCharitableFoundation@maximus.com
Schedule a meeting: Booking Link
Phone: 1.888.267.0988
Mailing Address: 1600 Tysons Blvd, Suite 1400, McLean, Virginia 22102
If you choose to send postal mail, please email us first to ensure it can be tracked and securely received.