HDR Foundation Grant

The HDR Foundation Grant supports charitable initiatives through a structured application process targeting nonprofit organizations located in communities where HDR employees live and work. As an employee-funded and employee-driven entity, the HDR Foundation emphasizes the importance of employee involvement in the selection and support of grant projects. This requirement is not symbolic—applicants must demonstrate an active relationship with an HDR employee who has been engaged with their organization for at least one year. Without this employee sponsorship, applications are not eligible for review. The grant prioritizes projects with clearly defined scopes that result in tangible outcomes within a 12-month timeframe. To be considered, a project must be discrete and stand-alone, with defined start and end dates, measurable impacts, and long-term potential. Funded projects must fall within one of the Foundation’s three central focus areas: education, healthy communities, or environmental stewardship. Moreover, proposed activities should be sustainable beyond the grant term, ensuring lasting benefit. Eligibility in the U.S. is limited to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, federally recognized tribal governments, educational institutions, and political subdivisions such as libraries and school districts. In addition to the employee sponsor form and a support letter, applicants are required to provide specific documentation, including their IRS determination letter, Form W-9, most recent IRS Form 990 or audited financial statement, their annual operational budget, and a detailed, itemized project budget. The Foundation operates on a biannual cycle. The first grant cycle accepts letters of interest (LOIs) from March 16–27, 2026, with full applications due from April 1–15, 2026, for those invited. Awards will be announced in May. The second cycle opens LOIs from August 31–September 11, 2026, with applications due between September 16–30, 2026. Grants from this round will be announced in November. In both cycles, only organizations that submit successful LOIs are invited to proceed to the full application stage. Funding typically starts at $5,000, although upper limits are not explicitly stated. The HDR Foundation does not fund operational costs such as salaries, travel, capital campaigns, or faith-based organizations, among other exclusions. All submitted projects must align with the Foundation’s mission and demonstrate quantifiable, measurable impacts within their scope of work. Applicants are encouraged to consult HDR Foundation staff at [email protected] for clarifications. Through this program, HDR continues to foster community impact by supporting initiatives that are not only mission-aligned but also demonstrate clear, evidence-based potential to improve communities across the U.S.

Projects must be clearly scoped, measurable, and have sustained impact. Employee sponsor is required.