BNSF Railway Foundation Grant

The BNSF Railway Foundation provides philanthropic support to communities in which BNSF Railway Company operates, with a core mission of enhancing the general welfare and quality of life in those areas. The Foundation prioritizes initiatives connected to the rail industry and communities near BNSF’s operations, offering funding for both general operating expenses and specific projects. Preference is given to organizations that demonstrate a tangible connection to BNSF through employee involvement, board service, volunteerism, or proximity to its main lines. Grantmaking focuses on a few defined areas: environmental, sustainability, or conservation projects; health and human services related to homelessness, hunger, public safety, women and children’s shelters, and community sports fields (excluding individual teams); and STEM education initiatives. Organizations with clear links to the rail industry or BNSF employees are strongly encouraged to apply. All applicants must serve communities in the BNSF network area and have a well-established presence with at least two years of impact in their respective fields. Eligibility is limited to tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charities, divisions of local government (e.g., first responders or parks departments), or federally recognized Native American tribes. Religious organizations may apply only if their programs are non-sectarian and serve a broad audience. The Foundation excludes funding for individuals, seed funding, athletic teams, private foundations, endowments, and national-level health organizations, among other categories. There is no fixed deadline to apply. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, but organizations with a specific timeline should apply well in advance. Once submitted, proposals may take up to a year for final decisions. Applicants are discouraged from following up during the review process, as this could delay decisions. The Foundation does not offer pre-submission proposal feedback or application writing assistance. Interested applicants must apply through the Foundation’s portal, now managed via Blackbaud Grantmaking. Applicants must sign in with a Blackbaud ID to access the system. Prior users should download old applications and reports before August 25, 2025, as data history will reset with the new portal. Application links differ based on organization type: 501(c)(3) public charities and governmental/tribal entities must use the appropriate forms. Requests over $10,000 require pre-application contact with the Foundation. The application process is streamlined through the unified portal, enabling applicants to manage submissions across various funders using the Blackbaud system. All application materials, including proof of eligibility, must be submitted digitally via the portal.