Transportation Grants

Note: UPS does not accept or respond to unsolicited grant proposals. Nonprofit funding is determined in one of two ways: The UPS Foundation solicits grant proposals from preeminent organizations within our focus areas or through a recommendation made by a UPS employee who is actively volunteering with the agency. The best way for your organization to be considered for funding by UPS is to engage UPS volunteers and then ask them to log their volunteer hours in the Neighbor-to-Neighbor tracking system. Any hours logged are open for funding opportunities by our local offices.

The Logistics of Caring

UPS founder Jim Casey established The UPS Foundation in 1951 with a mission to help build stronger, safer and more resilient communities around the world. And that's exactly what we've been doing for more than 60 years now.

To us, giving means more than writing a check. It means combining employees' skill, passion and time with our logistics expertise, transportation assets and charitable donations to make a measurable difference in society. In 2016, we invested nearly 2.7 million volunteer hours and more than $116 million dollars into our global communities. 

As our communities continue to grow and evolve, so do we. The Foundation's current philanthropic approach focuses on four areas that represent the purpose of our mission and reflect UPS's corporate values and expertise.

Focusing Our Efforts

Diversity & Inclusion

UPS’s longstanding policies and inclusive culture make it one of the most diverse companies in the world. We know an internal focus isn’t enough, and so The UPS Foundation also supports community efforts to provide diverse populations with advancement opportunities.

Volunteerism 

UPS employees are passionate about making the world a better place, which is why they volunteered more than 2.7 million hours in local communities with their favorite nonprofit organizations last year. The UPS Foundation provides those organizations with the operational expertise, leadership development and technology enhancements they need to tackle today's societal challenges.

Community Safety 

UPS aims to make the world a safer place by using our company's logistics expertise and training to teach safety practices in the local and global communities we serve. The UPS Foundation supports these efforts by creating and funding programs focused on road safety and humanitarian relief and resilience. In 2016, The UPS Foundation donated $13 million in financial and in-kind contributions to organizations that embody community safety.

Environmental Sustainability 

Every day, UPS delivers nearly 17 million packages by air, land and sea. We’re constantly operating within the environment, so it’s important that we do our part to preserve and protect it, long-term.

To do so, The UPS Foundation provides financial and employee volunteer support to environmental programs with a focus on reforestation and conservation, carbon reduction efforts and environmental research/education.

Note: Every grant applicant must include a letter of recommendation from any HDR employees who are actively involved in the organization. These employees will act as "employee sponsors" to help answer questions about the application process, but an HDR employee cannot fill out the application for an organization. If an applicant does not have an HDR employee sponsor, it will not be considered for a grant.

What We Support

Through the HDR Foundation, we seek to fund organizations located in the communities in which our employees live and work. In the U.S., eligible applicants include U.S.-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, federally recognized tribal governments, educational institutions, and political subdivisions such as school districts or libraries.

Our Areas of Focus

The foundation's areas of focus mirror HDR's breadth of knowledge and expertise. We provide grants for projects that demonstrate direct impact as well as projects that can be replicated or scaled. Our areas of focus included:Education Our company, clients and communities benefit from a well-educated, skilled and informed population. Examples of projects we may fund include education projects that support:

• Architecture
• Engineering
• Design
• Environmental science
• Consulting and planning

Healthy Communities

With a healthcare design practice that is consistently ranked No. 1, we value the importance of healthcare and healthy communities. Examples of types of healthcare and healthy community projects we may fund include:

• Active lifestyles
• Wellness education
• Preventative healthcare
• Alternative healthcare delivery methods

Environmental

We promote the value of environmentally responsible practices to our clients, employee-owners and communities. Examples of projects we may fund include:

• Active transportation modes, such as walking or biking
• Water, energy and waste reduction projects
• Innovative, small-scale renewable energy and water reuse
• Community-led environmental restoration efforts

Large Grants

We consider our large grants on an annual basis. The grants are greater than $20,000 and one year in duration. We will review multi-year requests only for projects with significant outcomes. In these cases, the grantee must clearly demonstrate the significance and advantage of funding a multi-year request. Our online application must be completed to be considered for any grant funding. Grant recipients will be contacted with the foundation's decision once approved by the Foundation Board.

Strengthening Communities

Enhancing the quality of life for our people is critical to building a well-rounded employee base that is active in the neighborhoods and communities where they live and work.

Company Giving

We provide financial support for projects across four pillars to support the causes our employees care most about:

• Health Care
• Veterans' Support
• Education
• Crisis Management

The FAWCO Foundation Development Grant

The FAWCO Foundation Development Grants financially assist projects which are passionately supported by FAWCO Member Clubs and FAUSA. The purpose of the program is to fund projects that can make an immediate impact and lead to success for the people they support. The assistance offered should be direct, with a goal of sustainability.

Through The Foundation, FAWCO Member Clubs and FAUSA have been aiding worthy and reputable charitable projects around the globe for over 45 years. Some clubs are working “hands-on” with their projects while others make financial contributions or donations of goods. FAWCO Member Clubs and FAUSA are passionate about supporting projects that improve the human condition throughout the world. The DGs provide the financial assistance that can help the recipients achieve their goals. 

The Development Grant categories are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the areas of Education, Environment, Health and Human Rights. 

The Foundation encourages FAWCO clubs to nominate grassroots organizations that receive little or no great sponsorship or support. Each FAWCO club may nominate two different projects each year.

Grant Categories

The grant categories are aligned with the UN Millennium Goals.

The FAWCO Foundation 2020 Development Grants will be offered in these categories:

Education

For projects promoting literacy, supporting academic studies, building or providing classrooms, libraries or general learning facilities for disadvantaged children or providing training designed to lead to economic and other types of empowerment for women and girls.

Due to the generosity in sponsorship, there are three awards available which will be given to the three projects receiving the most votes.

• AW Surrey Hope Through Education $5,000
• Educating Women & Girls Worldwide, sponsored in part by Renuka Matthews $5,000
• For programs specifically aimed at women and/or girls.
• Pam Dahlgren Educating Africa’s Children $5,000
• For programs specifically in the geographical area of Africa and will be awarded to the Africa-focused nominated project which receives the most votes.

Human Rights

For projects in a FAWCO Member Club’s host country or the world:

• providing vocational training, teaching practical skills, promoting social entrepreneurial initiatives for at-risk/marginalized population groups, 
• or addressing the critical problems of violence, food and shelter, healthcare, education, poverty, advocacy, human trafficking, prostitution, refugees, including all those impacted by economic, political or other forced migration,
• or promoting cultural understanding.

Due to the generosity in sponsorship, there are three awards available which will be given to the three projects receiving the most votes.

• Breaking the Cycle, sponsored in part by AW Eastern Province $5,000
• FAUSA Effecting Change for Women and Children at Risk $5,000 
• Safe Haven, sponsored in part by the family and friends of Louise Greeley-Copley $5,000
• For programs specifically supporting the Human Right to Safety and Shelter including:
• Refugee Programs  
• Protection for Women and Children Fleeing Violence
• Victims of Human Trafficking
• Shelters for Natural or Man-made Disasters

Environment

For projects promoting the responsible use of the environment to provide for the basic needs of a family or a community.

• Nurturing Our Planet - $5000

Global Issues - NEW for 2020! 

Close To Home $5,000                  

This Grant can be placed within any of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to which we align our Development Grants in the areas of Education, Environment, Health and Human Rights. In order to recognize FAWCO club’s local charities that are often overlooked on the world’s stage, the TFF is offering this Development Grant that is available for projects that take place in the nominating Club’s home country.

Health

For projects providing medical treatment, diagnostic services, preventive care or medical counseling. This can include, but is not limited to, cancer, HIV/AIDS, communicable, non-communicable and environmental diseases, substance abuse, life-improving surgeries, mental issues, the critically ill, the disabled, the aged, medical transport, special needs and maternal health for mothers and children.

Critical Health Concerns - $5000

Note: Every grant applicant must include a letter of recommendation from any HDR employees who are actively involved in the organization. These employees will act as "employee sponsors" to help answer questions about the application process, but an HDR employee cannot fill out the application for an organization. If an applicant does not have an HDR employee sponsor, it will not be considered for a grant.

Focused, Community-based Giving

The HDR Foundation is centered on helping the communities where we are rooted. We strongly believe that giving back is not only a civic duty, but a privilege. As company founder, H.H. Henningson noted nearly a century ago, "There is always time enough for kindness." Therefore, it's the promise of the HDR Foundation to support organizations and activities that align with HDR's values and areas of expertise, with the benefits going to the communities. 

Our Areas of Focus

The foundation's areas of focus mirror HDR's breadth of knowledge and expertise. We provide grants for projects that demonstrate direct impact as well as projects that can be replicated or scaled. Specific areas of focus include:

Education

Our company, clients and communities benefit from a well-educated, skilled and informed population. Examples of projects we may fund include education projects that support:

• Architecture
• Engineering
• Design
• Environmental science
• Consulting and planning

Healthcare and Healthy Communities

With a healthcare design practice that is consistently ranked No. 1, we value the importance of healthcare and healthy communities. Examples of types of healthcare and healthy community projects we may fund include:

• Active lifestyles
• Wellness education
• Preventative healthcare
• Alternative healthcare delivery methods

Healthy Environment 

We promote the value of environmentally responsible practices to our clients, employee-owners and communities. Examples of projects we may fund include:

• Projects that promote use and development of active transportation modes, such as walking or biking
• Water, energy and waste reduction projects
• Innovative small scale renewable energy and water reuse projects
• Community-led environmental restoration efforts that improve water quality, habitat and community green spaces

Small Grants

First Small grants range between $5,000 and $15,000- Applications accepted Jan. 7–28.

2nd Small Grant Cycle ($5,000-$20,000)- Applications accepted May 13 - June 19.

AARP Community Challenge

The AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to fund quick-action projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages. This year, applications will be accepted for projects to improve public spaces, housing, transportation and civic engagement; support diversity, equity and inclusion; build engagement for programs under new federal laws; and pursue innovative ideas that support people age 50 or older.

Project Categories

AARP will prioritize projects that support residents age 50 or over, are inclusive, address disparities, directly engage volunteers and aim to achieve one or more of the following outcome areas:

• Create vibrant Public Places that improve open spaces, parks and access to other amenities
• Deliver a range of Transportation and Mobility options that increase connectivity, walkability, bikeability, wayfinding, access to transportation options and roadway improvements
• Support a range of Housing options that increases the availability of accessible and affordable choices
• Ensure a focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion while improving the Built and Social Environment of a community
• Support communities’ efforts to Build Engagement and Leverage Funding available under new federal programs through laws including the American Rescue Plan Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and more
• Increase Civic Engagement with innovative and tangible projects that bring residents and local leaders together to address challenges and facilitate a greater sense of inclusion
• Other community improvements, including Health Services, Community Development, and Coronavirus Pandemic Recovery

Project Types

AARP Community Challenge grants can be used to support:

• Permanent physical improvements in the community
• Temporary demonstrations that lead to long-term change
• New, innovative programming or services

Amount

Since 2017, our average grant amount is $11,500 and 76 percent of grants have been under $15,000. While AARP reserves the right to award compelling projects of any dollar amount, the largest grant ever awarded by the AARP Community Challenge was $50,000.