HDR Foundation

We believe giving back is not only a civic duty, but a privilege.

As the company founder, H.H. Henningson noted nearly a century ago: “There is always time enough for kindness.” To carry out that legacy, the HDR Foundation strives to impact the world in positive ways. Through partnerships aligned with HDR’s values and areas of expertise, we encourage our employees to be engaged in their local communities and leave their mark on the future.

Founded in 2012, and fueled primarily by donations from our employees, the HDR Foundation has provided nearly $3 million in grant funding to deserving nonprofit organizations from all across the United States.

The HDR Foundation is a separate legal entity from the corporation HDR, Inc. The HDR Foundation (EIN 46-0961680) is an IRS-designated 501 (c) (3) Exempt Private Foundation which carries out a charitable mission in accordance with all IRS guidelines governing such entities. Monies donated to the HDR Foundation are used to make charitable grants to qualifying nonprofit organizations and are not for the benefit of HDR, Inc.

2020 Grant Application Schedule

1^st Small Grant Cycle ($5,000-$15,000)
Applications accepted Jan. 7–28, final funding decisions by late March 2020

2^nd Small Grant Cycle ($5,000-$15,000)
Applications accepted April 13–30, final funding decisions in June 2020

Annual Large Grant Cycle ($15,000+)
Letters of Intent accepted July 29 - Aug. 23, final funding decisions in November 2020

Apply for a Grant

Making an Impact

What We Support

Our work at HDR makes a difference in people’s lives. Through our Foundation, we seek to fund organizations located in the communities in which our employees live and work. 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.

We provide funding for discrete projects that show promise for lasting impact. Preference is given to fund nonprofits where HDR employees are highly engaged. For more information or to explore the volunteer opportunities with your organization, please contact us at HDRFoundation [at] hdrinc.com.

Our Grant Application Process

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

We fund discrete projects with:

HDR employee engagement for at least one year
Quantifiable outcomes
Measurable impacts
Clear scopes of work
Detailed budget information
Activities that are sustainable beyond the grant term

We don't fund:

Individuals, other than approved employee assistance programs
Religious institutions
Nontribal government agencies
Operating support
Outside endowments
Advocacy
Travel support
Pass-through funding
Direct compensation
Pass-through organizations (e.g., community foundations)
Prizes
Conferences
Sponsorships
Scholarships

More Information

2019 Grant Recipients

2018 HDR Foundation Report