HDR Foundation Awards Over $300,000
Grants Include Emphasis on Education and Children’s Programs
The HDR Foundation announced 13 community-based grants totaling $327,690 following its Day of Giving — an annual employee fundraiser.
“Every grant is sponsored by one of our HDR employees,” said Nancy Hales, HDR Foundation executive director. “These grants represent the broad range of interests and commitments we have to our local communities.”
The grants focus on causes related to education, healthy communities and the environment, with several in this cycle related to children's causes — including STEM education, mental health and recreational opportunities.
“To be able to be a part of this process was the most joyous experience,” said Danny Cooper, HDR administrative assistant, who sponsored a grant to Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida that will renovate a space used for science, technology, engineering and math activities. “Seeing the joy on all the children’s faces and the staff’s excitement to offer new opportunities — this is what we do it for.”
Leah Gentilin, program coordinator, has volunteered for a decade at Rick’s Place, a retreat center with a 50-acre interactive greenspace for military families.
“As a military spouse that has experienced multiple deployments, several with small children at home, having somewhere like Rick’s Place is a gift,” Gentilin said. “It gives families a place to go where they can disconnect from technology and other demands and connect as a family — in the outdoors where kids are always happiest.”
Andy McCoy, computational fluid dynamics business class lead, sponsored a grant to launch a new inclusive youth sports program for athletes with disabilities in Des Moines.
“The City of Des Moines currently does not have an adaptive sports program,” he said. “And the HDR Foundation is in the unique position as the missing piece needed to get the program off the ground.”
Read about the latest grants.
About the HDR Foundation
The HDR Foundation provides grants to qualified organizations that align with HDR’s areas of expertise: education, healthy communities and environmental stewardship. As an employee-funded and employee-driven foundation, preference is given to organizations located in communities in which HDR employees live and work, and those with strong employee involvement. Since its inception, the HDR Foundation has provided more than $9 million in grants to over 350 organizations.
About HDR
HDR is a 100% employee-owned professional services firm. Founded over a century ago to bring electricity to a changing world, we are now a global company specializing in architecture, engineering, environmental and construction services. Our success in built and natural environments continues as we collaborate to solve our clients’ and communities’ most complex challenges.
