U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Indirect Cost Policy
Updated May 2025
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation defines indirect costs as general operational costs incurred by an organization that are not directly attributable to a project. Indirect costs may include expenses such as rent, utilities, human resources, IT, legal, finance, etc.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) allows sub-awardees a maximum indirect cost rate of 15% of the total direct program costs. However, if USCCF is sub-awarding funds received from another philanthropic organization for the project, USCCF will impose the same indirect cost rate and policies as the primary funder.
In some cases, this means the actual indirect cost rate awarded may be less than 15%. For example, if USCCF receives a grant from XYZ Family Foundation, and the XYZ Family Foundation limits indirect costs to 10% of the direct program costs, any sub-awards or sub-grants USCCF awards from the XYZ Family Foundation funding will also have this limitation.
USCCF reserves the right to request further explanation of how other organizations calculate a stated indirect cost rate. Organizations with an actual indirect cost rate lower than the maximum allowed rate should not request more than their actual indirect cost rate. The actual indirect cost rate awarded is at USCCF’s sole discretion.