Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program

The Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program is a philanthropic initiative established by Union Pacific, a major freight hauling railroad that operates in 23 U.S. states. Union Pacific’s legacy is deeply intertwined with American infrastructure, logistics, and economic development, and through its Community Ties Giving Program, the company extends its commitment to community enrichment and resilience. Specifically, the program’s Local Grants component supports nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations located within Union Pacific communities whose work aligns with the funding objectives set forth in the annual program. The Local Grants are designed to support a diverse array of community-based projects with a focus on safety, workforce development, and community vitality. Union Pacific evaluates applications through a competitive online process, considering how well the proposed project aligns with its strategic funding priorities. The funding is intended to support one-year projects with clearly defined goals that can demonstrate tangible impact within Union Pacific-served communities. Awards generally range between $5,000 and $30,000, and organizations may only apply for and receive one grant per annual cycle. Importantly, organizations that have been awarded Local Grants for three consecutive years (2023, 2024, and 2025) are ineligible for the 2026 cycle but can apply again in 2027. Applications must be submitted electronically via the Local Grant Application Portal, which opens on April 1 and closes at 3:00 PM Central Time on April 30, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances. Organizations are advised to begin the application well before April 23 to allow for technical assistance if needed. The first step of the application process involves an eligibility questionnaire, and only those organizations deemed eligible may proceed with the full application. Applicants are expected to fully articulate the need for funding, project scope, and alignment with Union Pacific’s giving priorities. It is important to note that Union Pacific does not provide individual feedback to organizations that do not receive funding due to the volume of applications received. The application is managed via the Blackbaud YourCause GrantsConnect platform, and all correspondence, including award notifications, will be sent via that system. Awards will be announced in August 2026, with funding disbursed in September 2026. The grant term officially begins upon receipt of funding and runs through August 2027. Grantees are required to submit a Grant Impact Report by July 31, 2027. Failure to submit this report will disqualify past recipients from applying in the following year. Organizations receiving funding for the 2025 cycle must submit their final impact reports by July 31, 2026. There are no specific match or cost-sharing requirements outlined, and fiscal sponsorship policies are not detailed in the available guidance. Each organization may only submit one application per grant period, but national organizations with local chapters may submit multiple applications as long as they operate under the same EIN but distinct local programming. The application process is intentionally competitive to ensure that funding is directed toward projects demonstrating strong alignment with the program's objectives. Applicants who encounter technical issues are advised to email [email protected]. While Union Pacific staff will not provide feedback on the content of applications, they are available to assist with navigation and troubleshooting of the application portal. Applicants should account for at least a two-day turnaround on technical assistance queries and plan accordingly.

Start early before April 23 to allow time for technical issues. Submit reports to remain eligible for future cycles.