Grant and Funding Programs Offered by AEO Better World Foundation (AEO)

The AEO Better World Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation, established in 1999 in partnership with American Eagle Outfitters and its brands. Its mission is to harness the optimism of youth by supporting causes that educate and empower teens and young adults. The foundation distributes charitable funding primarily through structured grant programs serving nonprofit organizations in the United States and Canada.

Its flagship Community Grant Program targets grassroots 501(c)(3) organizations and registered Canadian charities located in or near Pittsburgh, New York City, Hazleton, Ottawa and Mississauga. Eligible projects must primarily benefit youth aged roughly 15–25, align with the foundation’s mission, dedicate at least 70% of their budgets to program delivery, and operate with inclusive, non‑discriminatory practices.

Community Grants are awarded several times per year through an online grant portal, with clearly published deadlines and a fully digital application and reporting process. New grantees are generally invited to request about US$5,000, while returning partners may apply for grants in the range of US$5,000–15,000. All grants are paid in U.S. dollars, and each organization may receive funding only once per calendar year.

Beyond community funding, the AEO Better World Foundation offers Signature Grants that provide larger, transformational support to organizations addressing priority themes, currently focused on youth mental health. The foundation also highlights related branded arms such as the Aerie Real Foundation and AE Foundation, which issue their own signature and community grants to national and local partners working on mental health, body confidence, and the well‑being of young people.

Applications are assessed on alignment with the youth mission, clarity of program goals, target demographics, budget need, and impact on local communities. The foundation expects strong governance and financial stewardship, excluding organizations that devote more than 30% of their budget to fundraising or that discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion or other protected characteristics. Certain types of support—such as political activity, capital campaigns, and individual aid—are explicitly ineligible.

All approved grantees must confirm award details through the portal and submit a follow‑up report within one year of the grant. Reporting includes outcomes, population served and use of funds; completion of this reporting is required before an organization can reapply in a subsequent year. The foundation offers email support for eligibility questions and encourages re‑applications from declined organizations that have strengthened their proposals.

The foundation’s portfolio emphasizes programming that directly benefits teens and young adults, including education, life skills, and mental health support. Through initiatives like the May Month of Service grants, it also channels resources to nonprofits chosen by American Eagle and Aerie store teams across North America, reinforcing strong community ties. Internal fundraising vehicles such as the Count Me In! payroll deduction program and the annual AEO Better World Foundation Golf Classic help sustain and grow these grant programs, enabling the foundation to invest millions of dollars in youth‑serving charities each year.