girl petting horse
HDR Foundation

HDR Foundation Grant Application Process

Thinking of Applying for a Grant?

Every HDR Foundation grant begins with an employee with a cause close to their heart. 

Bobbie Wells, civil engineer in training, is just the fourth enrolled member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe to become an engineer. Along with her high school science teacher Scott Krassin, she’s making sure that number grows. They mentor students participating in Wyoming Indian High School’s robotics program, where junior high and high school kids develop science, technology, engineering and math skills in a fun and engaging way.

With the support of a grant from the HDR Foundation, they’re helping other reservation schools start their own robotics program to give more kids that opportunity and inspire a new generation of engineers.

A Mentor Like Me

What We Support

Through the HDR Foundation, we seek to fund charitable organizations located in the communities where our employees live and work. In the U.S., 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. In Canada, please review this list of eligible charities (donees).

We provide funding for discrete projects that show promise for lasting impact and meet the following criteria:

  • Current HDR employee engagement and service
  • Quantifiable outcomes
  • Measurable impacts
  • Clear scopes of work
  • Detailed budget information
  • Activities that are sustainable beyond the grant term

For more information, please contact us at HDRFoundation [at] hdrinc.com.

How We Make Grants

What You Need to Complete the Application

  • Proof of eligibility status: A copy of your organization’s IRS determination letter and Form W-9 (U.S.), or compliance with subsection 149.1(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada)
  • Your organization’s most recent audited financial statement or IRS Form 990
  • Your organization’s annual operational budget
  • A completed itemized project budget form (provided in our grant application system)
  • A completed HDR employee sponsor form (provided in our grant application system)
  • A letter of support from an HDR employee sponsor
  • A summary of the project, demonstrated need statement, population served and anticipated outcomes

What We Can't Fund

  • Grants to individuals, including scholarships 
  • Grants to organizations that have any pending issue before the Internal Revenue Service that may result in a change to current tax exempt status.
  • Operational support, including salary, wages or any compensation to consultants, contractors or advisors. For more information visit, AccountingTools.com. 
  • Grants to faith-based institutions or institutions with a faith-based mission
  • Grants to organizations dedicated to the welfare of domesticated animals
  • Advocacy
  • Travel support
  • Capital campaigns
  • Grants to pass-through organizations, endowments, community foundations, rotaries and operating foundations
  • Sponsorships, conferences or prizes

2023 Grant Application Schedule

1st Small Grant Cycle, U.S.

US$5,000-$30,000
Applications accepted: Jan. 9 – Feb. 16, 2023
Grants announced: Mar. 2023

Apply today

2nd Small Grant Cycle, U.S.

US$5,000-$30,000
Applications accepted: May 1 – June 1, 2023
Grants announced: July 2023

Canada Grant Cycle

CA$5,000-$10,000
Applications accepted: May 1 – June 1, 2023
Grants announced: July 2023

Large Grant Cycle, U.S.

US$30,000+
Letters of intent accepted: Aug. 7-29, 2023
Applications accepted: Sept. 1-25, 2023
Grants announced: Nov. 2023