2024 HDR Foundation Grants

The American Heart Association “Libraries with Heart” program aims to address the barriers of access to equitable healthcare, empowering community members with the equipment, resources and education to improve their overall health. This $34,704 grant will fund self-measured blood pressure kits and CPR and First AID training kits that will be made available for free at 33 libraries in the Orlando area. The project’s short-term outcome is to provide an access point for individuals to manage their health while also gaining education and the long-term effects include strengthened bond between community and clinical partners to increase access to healthcare. 

Employee sponsor: Sinan Buyukaksakal | Orlando, FL

The mission of the Arizona Trail Association is to protect, maintain, enhance, promote and sustain the Arizona National Scenic Trail as a unique encounter with the natural environment. This $36,920 grant will construct and install a remote rainwater collector along a particularly dangerously arid segment of the trail that poses challenges to anyone attempting to hike or ride along this stretch with over 15 miles between water sources. The installation will improve public safety by providing reliable water on this stretch of trail, while also helping eliminate trash and reduce environmental impacts from rescue operations. 

Employee sponsor: Scott Miller | Phoenix, AZ 

Foster Love makes basic needs and opportunities accessible to nearly 7,000 children that were removed from their homes and placed in state custody or out-of-home care. With the upcoming demolition of the current Foster Love home, this $50,000 grant will fund furniture, equipment and fixtures for a new location that will allow for expansion of the program. Providing on-going support and services through their two signature programs; Foster Love Boutique and Artsy Kids, the new home will offer a larger, more welcoming space where children can access essential resources, build life skills, and engage in activities. 

Employee sponsor: Steven Hanna | Omaha, NE 

Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana gives girls opportunities to explore their strengths and take on new challenges through outdoor adventures at Bear Creek Aquatic Camp. This $30,301 grant will be used to purchase 28 new metal bunk beds and 56 new mattresses, making sure that Girl Scouts experience a safe, comfortable, and welcoming environment. 

Employee sponsor: Kayci Reynolds | Paducah, KY

International WeLoveU Foundation carries out global charitable activities so that neighbors across the world facing difficulties may live in peace, being respected without discrimination beyond nationality, race, language and culture. This $35,000 grant will be used to create WeLoveU Pollinator Gardens at Emma and Nicholas DePietro Park. This project will serve as a catalyst for community health by engaging the community in the importance of pollination, in addition to improving air quality and reducing pollution.

Employee sponsor: Sophia Cinamella | Rocky Hill, CT

Operation Jump Start seeks to help low-resourced, high-potential, first-generation students to get in, stay in, and graduate from a four-year college. This $51,950 grant will enhance technological accessibility through improved infrastructure and the creation of a free Tech Pantry stocked with essential devices available for rental to students. Operation Jump Start’s goal is to ensure students have the necessary access to technology to thrive academically.

Employee sponsor: Mark Christoffels | Long Beach, CA

Partnership 4 Kids aims to engage and inspire students from preschool to high school graduation, guiding them to success with individualized support, career exploration and scholarships. This $34,290 grant will expand the immersive and engaging elements of the existing STEM curriculum with a full-fledged career track. The program will allow middle and high school students to explore cutting-edge coding, robotics, and drone piloting skills that are fundamental for professional certifications.

Employee sponsor: Ryan Dalrymple | Omaha, NE

RADIUS, formerly the Nebraska Youth Justice Initiative, was founded to address a critical gap in care for Omaha’s youth who are justice-involved and struggling with mental health and substance use disorders. This $32,950 grant will support the purchase of a new vehicle to transport vulnerable youth to medical appointments, home visits, college classes, jobs, legal proceedings and community outings. Access to reliable transportation is crucial to ensuring that the young people in this program receive the care, opportunities and support they need to reach their full potential.

Employee sponsor: Bruce Carpenter | Omaha, NE

Renewal Food Bank provides food assistance and essential hygiene items for community members in a commercial store setting that provides a dignified shopping experience. Customers can shop weekly and receive produce, meat, shelf-stable groceries, baby supplies, pet food, and hygiene items, providing significant relief for their monthly budget while avoiding devastating decisions between basic needs such as shelter, education, or food for their family. This $38,850 grant will go towards the purchase of stainless-steel tables, commercial fans, portable air conditioners, commercial freezers and fridges. 

Employee sponsor: Nicole Noyola | Everett, WA

The Waukesha County Technical College Child Development Center and Learning Lab provides high-quality early care and serves as a hands-on training facility for students in WCTC’s Early Childhood Education associate degree program. This $80,000 grant will go towards the purchase and installation of a new multifunctional play system on the preschool playground that will benefit over 680 children. 

Employee sponsor: Jamie Stahulak | Madison, WI 

Alimentando Al Puelo is a community-building organization that aims to cultivate healing through community, food and celebration. This $10,000 grant will fund the purchase of cultural foods from Latinx distributors to further support the organization’s food distribution efforts. As the only Latinx food bank in the U.S., Alimentado has served over 1,000 families through this program. 

Employee sponsor: Brianna Vazquez | Burien, WA

The American Red Cross of Alaska prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors throughout the state of Alaska. This $10,000 will fund the purchase of 441 smoke alarms, door hangers, fire escape plans for home installs and youth preparedness supplies. The Sound the Alarm program is designed to educate the community about fire safety through a three-day series of events and workshops.

Employee sponsor: Sam Buchanon | Anchorage, AK 

The Boston Alliance of LGBTQ+ Youth is a youth-led, adult-supported organization that provides health services (testing and vaccination), youth activities and enrichment, counseling and more. This $8,400 grant will reduce the financial burden on members of the Youth Leadership Committee and participants seeking other services by providing subway and bus transit passes. This will benefit participants with weekly commitments at the downtown community center and reduce one barrier to their ultimate success and healthy development. 

Employee sponsor: Estey Masten | Boston, MA

Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Colorado operates under the belief that inherent in every child is incredible potential. The Adult Identify Mentoring program allows children to build a sense of positive potential outcomes for their lives by exploring a future career and imagining the benefit to their community. This $10,000 grant will fund the purchase of AIM student workbooks, program graduation portfolios, instructor guides, business cards and food for the program. 

Employee sponsor: Anna Ristuccia | Denver, CO 

Big Brothers and Big Sisters of South Texas matches at-risk youth with mentors, giving them the skills and confidence to reach their full potential. This $10,000 grant will fund the purchase of a cart, tent, flag signs, vinyl banners, koozies, and various other supplies for the mentorship program. This comprehensive outreach campaign works to engage the community, recruit diverse mentors and provide essential training for mentors to continue their work with underserved Hispanic and Black communities. 

Employee sponsor: Alexa Fulbright | Corpus Christi, TX

Blue River Services strives to reach its motto of “people serving people” by providing exceptional services at all stages of life, level of ability or income. This $8,808 grant will enhance Eagle Court, a community of fully furnished one- and two-bedroom duplexes designed to provide permanent, supportive housing for homeless veterans. The funds will support the addition of two rest shelters, four benches and other amenities along a service-animal-friendly walking trail in the community. 

Employee sponsor: Bill Page | Boise, ID

The Center for Grieving Children provides a safe space, loving peer support, outreach and education to grieving children, teens, families and the community. This $10,000 grant will repair the Weather Room at the organization’s location in Sanford, Maine, which was damaged by winter storms. The center provides grief support for children and families through art, music, play and physical activities in safe, padded rooms.

The Chattanooga Area Food Bank brings nourishing food to people in the region who need it and the courage to seek help. This $7,620 grant will continue the food bank's partnership with nine schools to sponsor over 2,000 sack packs that include basic healthy food, including cereal, milk, juice, fruit, granola bars and soup. 

Employee sponsor: Kaitlin Uber | Chattanooga, TN

Compass for Kids provides resources and support to the underserved children in Springfield Public Schools through innovative after-school and summer programs. This $9,989 grant will fund the purchase of nine Brick LAB kits and 11 supplemental curricula. Each kit provides 6,500-plus Lego-style blocks and a STEM-based curriculum with step-by-step build instructions, engineering challenges, and optional math and English language extensions. 

Employee sponsor: Alaina Beaird | Springfield, IL 

The Denver Architectural Foundation champions the deep-rooted connections between architecture, education and community building through diverse and expanding programs. This $10,000 grant will fund the Cleworth Architectural Legacy program’s “CAL in a Box” project kits, which contain five architecture-related lesson plans and all the materials needed for those lessons. The program takes architectural curriculum and codifies the concepts into lesson plans and materials that teachers can implement in elementary and middle school classrooms.

Employee sponsor: Raphael Chavez | Denver, CO

Faces of Hope, or Faces of Hope Family Advocacy Center and Education Services, is dedicated to ending child abuse by addressing a full spectrum of needs with comprehensive programs for both prevention and advocacy. This $9,248 grant will fund the purchase of personal safety item kits for individuals fleeing potentially dangerous domestic situations. The kits include video doorbells, pepper spray and emergency cellphones. 

Employee sponsor: Kristy Newkirk | Boise, ID

This $10,000 grant to the Gillette College Foundation will be used to upgrade the classroom environment at Area 59, also known as the Center for Innovation and Fabrication. This state-of-the-art makerspace offers individuals with shared interests in technology and fabrication a space to collaborate and work on various projects using advanced tools for woodworking, metalworking, laser engraving, and 3D Printing. The grant will fund new workbenches, lab stools and materials for STEM Day activities for junior high students visiting the space. 

Employee sponsor: Dacee Dickson | Gillette WY 

By thoughtfully and intentionally investing in solutions that address household stability, educational success and economic opportunity, the Greater Twin Cities United Way makes a lasting and transformative impact. This $10,000 grant will support 700 local families transitioning into stable housing by providing a Welcome Home Kit full of over 100 essential household supplies. These kits aim to support families by helping them get started on the right food as they transition to their new homes. 

Employee sponsor: Jess Watje and Angela Dusold | St. Louis Park, MN 

Greenlight Solutions Foundation seeks to educate and empower the next generation of sustainability leaders. This $9,620 grant will be used to purchase equipment for the Green Event Services Initiative. The initiative seeks to reduce the impact of landfills on the natural environment by mobilizing a large constituency of volunteers to conduct waste diversion efforts across the Phoenix metro area.

Hope Esperanza is active in supporting Hispanic and Latin Americans by providing quality education to foster self-sustaining families and ensuring access to resources these families need to flourish. This $10,000 grant will fund the distribution of over 500 back-to-school packs for low-income K-3 students, providing basic school necessities. Additionally, the grant will fund graduation packs with a free cap and gown for first-generation college graduates. 

Employee sponsor: Ana Rios | Los Angeles, CA

The Idaho Veteran’s Chamber of Commerce provides education, housing, entrepreneurship, workforce management, family, and wellness services to veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families. This $10,000 grant will be used to purchase construction materials to build an additional home as part of the Operation Freedom Crossroads Tiny Home Project. Operation Freedom Crossroads aims to develop a sustainable tiny home community in Idaho for homeless veterans, providing transitional or temporary long-term housing and life skills resources.

Employee sponsor: Chonne Sherman | Boise, ID

Kids Against Hunger Sioux Falls has packed 10 million life-saving meals for hungry kids around the world and strives to continue their meaningful work of feeding those in need. This $10,000 grant will provide 30,000 nutrient-packed meals for impoverished populations. The grant also will fund three impulse sealers to replace aging equipment in the meal production line.

Employee sponsors: Hannah DeHaai and Abby Nelson | Sioux Falls, SD

NeighborWorks Boise makes the dream of owning a home a reality through homebuyer education, down payment assistance and homeowner programs. This $10,000 grant will fund the purchase of supplies for Paint the Town, one of Idaho’s longest standing volunteer events. Each June, hundreds of volunteers unite to paint homes for senior, disabled and veteran neighbors who are unable to do it on their own.

Employee sponsor: Alesha Willis | Boise, ID

Operations We Care works to support military personnel with care packages through their deployment and beyond. This $2,189 grant will provide folding tables for the care package assembly line as well as portable fans, batteries and battery chargers to provide better air circulation in the storage facility. This project will allow for greater productivity and enable support of the military community.

Employee sponsor: Mike Dossett | New Orleans, LA

Sarah Bellum’s Bakery & Workshop is a social enterprise bakery that supports adults with an acquired brain injury to return to work and life by baking delicious, hand-crafted cupcakes. This $7,000 grant will fund the purchase of equipment for the baking kitchen, run 100% by individuals with disabilities. 

Employee sponsor: Sue Casey | Portland, OR

For the past 25 years, the Spirit of Aurora has supported local community programs that improve the quality of life in Aurora, Colorado. This $8,040 grant will fund supplies for Aurora Fire Rescue’s Camp Spark, an immersive three-day summer leadership camp for middle and high school girls interested in fire training. The grant will fund the purchase of CPR certification, duffle bags with safety equipment, knee pads, meals and drinks during camp and shirts.

Employee sponsor: Kariba Lawson | Denver, CO

Stone Soup Group is a nonprofit that provides information, support, training and resources to assist families caring for children with special needs. This $10,000 grant will fund supplies to support the “Souper Gaming Nights” youth program. This program gives youth with disabilities a chance to gather and play video games, enhancing outreach and training for parents of kids with disabilities.

Employee sponsor: Rachelle Branstetter | Anchorage, AK

Creativity, Culture, and Code (CCC) at The School of Architecture is an educational workshop designed to introduce Native youth from Central and Southern Arizona to creative coding through a computer-based reinterpretation of traditional O’odham design motifs. Developed in collaboration with a tribal member who is an expert in traditional basket-making and Native arts, this project aims to demystify creative coding and digital design. This $10,000 grant will fund the purchase of laptops, Adobe software, and art-making materials and supplies.

Employee sponsor: Ezio Zhang | Phoenix, AZ

The Veterans Community Project of Sioux Falls offers a specialized tiny home community with onsite, wraparound support services designed to equip homeless veterans with the tools needed to return to a stable, prosperous and independent life. This $10,000 grant will fund landscaping materials, including bushes, flowers, ornamental grass, mulch and engraved pavers around the new village center and a memorial brick garden. Additionally, HDR volunteers will do the planting and installation.

Employee sponsor: Elizabeth Wright | Sioux Falls, SD

The Centre for Social Inclusion’s goal is to reduce poverty and inequality by providing resources to support and empower individuals in need. This £5,000 grant will deliver interventions to create and sustain healthy communities in the most deprived neighborhoods of the Borough of Enfield, with a goal to achieve and maintain better health outcomes. The grant will fund 45 luncheon club meetings, talks and workshops on nutrition, presentations on prevention and better management of major diseases, yoga sessions, and advice on social welfare entitlements. 

Employee sponsor: Aminul Islam | Berkhamsted, U.K.

Crisis is a charity dedicated to ending homelessness by providing vital support, education and advocacy, empowering individuals to rebuild their lives. This £5,000 grant will allow the organization to buy 50 household starter kits filled with essentials someone may not be able to afford as they settle into their new home. Crisis provides practical support and one-on-one specialist coaching year-round from nine Skylight Centres across England, Scotland and Wales. 

Employee sponsor: Althia Bevan | London, U.K.

Legacy Youth Zone in Croydon is a community hub that welcomes over 2,900 young people ages 8 to 19 per year, with a mission to offer opportunities for youth to fulfill their potential through positive activities and inspirational youth work. This £5,000 grant will fund a year of weekly activities for the Junior Club, allowing 1,100 youth ages 8 to 12 to use the sports hall, climbing wall, gym and outdoor multi-pitch use, regardless of socioeconomic background. This will give children an accessible opportunity to sustainably improve their activity level, physical health, and happiness in a safe, supportive environment. 

Employee sponsor: Jay Amin | Croydon, U.K.

Kingston Child Contact Centre provides a neutral place where children of separated families can enjoy contact with non-resident parents and other family members in a comfortable and safe space. This £5,000 grant will refurbish a room to promote a calming atmosphere, in addition to providing training for unpaid coordinators and volunteers. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the center has seen an increased need to provide a higher level of support, particularly for low-income families. 

Agoonoree is a summer camp for disabled scouts based in the Greater London area that provides a week-long scout experience that campers otherwise would not have access to. The camp includes boating, zip wires and traditional scout activities like camping, camp fires, building friendships, and developing life skills. This £5,000 grant will help support costs of the 2025 camp for up to 30 scouts. 

Employee sponsor: Darren Otton | Croydon, U.K.

The Flitch Green Academy is a modern take of a village school, with learning experiences that will inspire and challenge children to maximize their academic potential. This £5,000 grant will fund the new trim trail/obstacle course on the field of Flitch Green Academy. The installation of the trim trail will support the local school on its mission to more engaging and physically demanding playtimes, while supporting the well-being of 279 students. 

Employee sponsor: Michael Brown | London, U.K.

A Better Life Foundation provides daily meals, training and education to a downtown Vancouver population that experiences many complex challenges, including drug abuse, homelessness, unemployment and housing issues. This CA$5,000 grant will support the Plenty of Plates initiative, where HDR volunteers will participate in a community event to prep, cook and serve 80 community members home-cooked meals. The remaining funds will contribute toward the daily meals program, which reaches over 1,800 community members throughout the year.

Employee sponsors: Jacob Darowski and John Benner | Vancouver, BC

This CA$7,000 HDR Canada Fund grant matched employee donations toward the Canadian Red Cross Alberta wildfire relief efforts. The funds contributed to those impacted in Jasper and surrounding communities with immediate and ongoing relief, including financial assistance, support to evacuees and the communities hosting them, recovery and resilience efforts in response to the wildfires, as well as supporting community preparedness and risk reduction for future all-hazard disaster events. While the grant matched individual employee donations, the Alberta Provincial Government and Canadian Federal Government tripled the donation, which brought the total result of this effort to CA$41,215 to support the Canadian Red Cross.

Employee sponsor: Brandon Thurber | Calgary, AB

Taking a stand to help build strength and stability, Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area believes everyone should have a healthy, affordable place to call home. This CA$5,000 grant will provide the tools, personal protective equipment and training for Toronto employees volunteering to build a new home at the Normandy Build Site. With an affordable home, families have more resources to spend on food, medicine, childcare, education and other essentials. 

Employee sponsor: Shalevia Briscoe | Toronto, ON

The Happy Herd is a farm animal sanctuary for abused or at-risk farm animals. This CA$4,890 grant will replace their sanctuary’s deteriorating shelter with a newer, more functional structure. An estimated 2,300 community members visit or volunteer at Happy Herd each year, offering learning opportunities and a place where individuals can relieve stress and experience compassion and empathy.

Employee sponsor: Lori-Ann Wilson | Vancouver, BC 

The mission of Made by Momma is to provide wholesome nourishment and nurturing care to mothers and young children facing crisis. This CA$5,000 grant will fund two HDR group cooking events to provide meals to mothers and young children in crisis, in addition to diapers, baby wipes, baby formula, and birthday gifts for kids and teenagers. Giving mothers the time they need to rest, recover and focus on their families creates a nurturing environment during challenging times. 

Employee sponsor: Sheila De Torres | Calgary, AB 

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board strives to enrich the learning experience of children by supporting initiatives that go beyond core educational funding. This CA$10,000 grant will be used to purchase a new play structure for children ages 6-12 attending W.E. Gowling Public School, replacing the previous playground that was removed due to age. Approximately 450 students will benefit directly from the new play equipment, allowing children to maximize their time outdoors and develop social, cognitive, problem-solving, and physical skills. 

Employee sponsor: Anna Preiss | Ottawa, ON

The Richmond Hill Community Food Bank provides emergency food assistance to those in need. This CA$5,000 will provide 100 Thanksgiving meal kits to the local community, transforming the holiday experience for families facing food insecurity. Volunteers from the Young Professionals Employee Network Group will help pick up ingredients and assemble the meal kits.

Employee sponsors: Ashina Sureshkumar, Jacob Phillips, Dawn Padiernos | Richmond Hill, ON

This CA$5,000 grant to Victoria Community Food Hub Society will fund specialized high-pressure canning equipment that is specific to local Indigenous fishing and canning practices, which will create a cascading effect of Indigenous food literacy in the community. This will expand the food hub’s ability to host workshops, exposing Indigenous youth to careers in the food industry. Volunteers organized by HDR’s Young Professionals Employee Network Group will take part in a workshop to build upon their relationship with the organization. 

Employee sponsor: Andrea Middleton | Victoria, BC

The Women's Centre of York Region offers unique programming and services that address a range of circumstances for women who need positive change. This CA$3,231 grant will fund new furniture, supplies and self-care material, creating a therapeutic and inviting environment for the Violence Against Women counseling program. The improvements will help clients feel at home and comfortable during their session, creating the trust necessary for healing and a journey toward recovery. 

Employee sponsor: Shamila Somasundram | Richmond Hill, ON

Bluegrass Care Navigators aims to help families with the highest level of care while facing extreme health challenges and end-of-life situations. This US$18,000 grant will fund the purchase of two mobile stairlifts and four portable wheelchair stairlifts to allow easier transport into residences lacking elevator access. Through this addition, senior adults enrolled in the Bluegrass PACE program can live safely in their homes while receiving the palliative care they need.

Employee sponsor: Mark Day | Lexington, KY

Canine Companions works to educate clients on everything they need to know about working with and caring for their new service dog. This US$16,700 grant will fund improvements to Gittinger Hall, where over 200 individuals stay annually for Canine Companions' two-week team training program. The improvements will support a program reaching over 670 active-service dog teams working with Canine Companions.

Employee sponsor: Raffaella Geremia | Bellevue, WA

In Uganda, over 64% of people do not have access to a sanitary toilet, and nearly 50% lack adequate handwashing facilities. Drink Local Drink Tap is dedicated to solving global water equity through education, advocacy, and community-centered water, sanitation and hygiene projects. This US$30,000 grant will fund the building of sanitation and hygiene facilities for over 1,300 students and teachers at Lwero Primary School in Uganda.

Employee sponsor: Adam Arnold | Cleveland, OH

Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy aims to improve the quality of life both physically and emotionally of adults and children of all ability levels through equine-assisted activities. Through a US$6,225 grant, HETRA will provide three brand-new shelters and pens for the miniature therapy equines. These additions will help to optimise the health and longevity of HETRA’s equines, allowing them to serve participants to the best of their ability for years to come. 

Employee sponsor: Teresa Konda | Omaha, NE

Kansas City Community Gardens' mission is to empower and inspire low-income households, community groups and schools in the Kansas City area to grow their own vegetables and fruit. With a US$23,168 grant, KCGG will transform their facility into a multipurpose space to support community education and greenhouse and nursery operations. As KCCG’s client base has grown significantly in recent years, the space has been used more and more as a place where volunteers can carry out tasks that support the greenhouse and nursery program.

Employee sponsor: Iain Blair | Kansas City, MO

Magenta Theater brings the Vancouver community together for various engaging events and activities fueled by passion and creativity. This US$15,231 grant will improve accessibility for the hearing-impaired population visiting Magenta Theater. This project includes the replacement and optimisation of the sound board to be compatible with assisted listening technology and the purchase and installation of assisted listening infrared devices for patrons.

Employee sponsor: Luke Dowell | Vancouver, WA

For Chicagoland youth who desire and deserve more, MetroSquash combines academic support, competitive squash and enrichment opportunities to empower students to realise their potential and make their mark. Through a US$22,000 grant, MetroSquash will purchase squash equipment and uniforms for 250 students in their program over the years to come. The students will experience the pride of wearing competition uniforms and brand-new equipment, helping to foster their sense of unity and confidence.

Employee sponsor: Thomas Hein | Rosemont, IL

For over 50 years, New Morning Youth & Family Services has provided a 12-bed emergency shelter and safety net of services for more than 150 youth (ages 6-18) and their families annually. With a US$30,000 grant, New Morning will purchase a new van to transport youth to school, jobs, outings, extracurricular activities, and medical and mental health appointments. Having a new van is estimated to impact more than 1,650 youth in New Morning’s care over the vehicle's life.

Employee sponsor: Elizabeth Dawson | Folsom, CA

Sky High Farm works to ensure that everyone has access to the resources they need to sustain themselves, including high-quality, culturally appropriate food. This US$28,894 grant will fund the long-awaited purchase of a livestock trailer, serving as a critical piece of lasting infrastructure. This trailer will help center the deployment of regenerative farming practices to support donations of nutrient-dense protein sources.

Employee sponsor: Christopher LaTuso | White Plains, NY

Anglicare Victoria is dedicated to transforming futures by preventing, protecting and empowering disadvantaged Victorian kids through alternative housing and out-of-home care services. The AU$5,000 grant will go towards a “Dream Day” outing at the Melbourne Zoo, promoting dignity, respect, and an enjoyable day for foster children. This will impact those who are in out-of-home care by allowing them to experience joy and connect with animals and the community in a way most children take for granted. 

Community Canteen aims to serve quality, nutritious meals to the homeless population of Brisbane. This AU$5,000 grant will continue the work of Community Canteen to make a change in their community by providing fresh, delicious meals to anyone in need. Not only does Community Canteen work to tackle food insecurity through practical sustenance, but it also helps people to improve their well-being and outlook on life.

Employee sponsor: Tina O’Connell

This AU$5,000 grant will support the development of Dementia Australia by growing their D-ESC Program, a virtual reality training for behavioural emergencies. There are more than 421,000 individuals living with dementia in Australia, and the demand for this program has been highlighted by recommendations from the Australian Royal Commission. The funds will be utilised for D-ESC training expenses and to raise awareness within the community.

Employee sponsors: Amy Brannan, Cherie Voon and Amy Papas

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation works with 349 remote Indigenous Communities across Australia by advocating for equity of access to culturally appropriate literacy materials. This AU$5,000 grant will enhance the ILF Book Supply program by distributing brand new, culturally relevant books to various Indigenous Communities. Providing children with the opportunity to see themselves and their culture reflected in stories furthers their education through literacy and helps build a sense of belonging and pride for their culture. 

Employee sponsor: Simone Benvenuti

Kit Bags for Kids works to serve underprivileged children across Australia by providing them with the highest quality secondhand, surplus or unwanted sporting goods and equipment. This AU$5,000 grant will be utilised to further store equipment collected from the community to expand operations and serve a greater population. Through local garage storage, Kit Bags for Kids can store up to 3,000 items for future distribution. 

Queensland Koala Crusaders is dedicated to improving koala conservation through building and improving habitat, providing education and advocating in the Queensland community. This AU$5,000 grant will allow the Koala Crusaders to partner with University of the Sunshine Coast and researcher Dr. Romane Cristescu to host a community koala workshop, fund a koala survey using detection dogs, and create volunteer opportunities for habitat planting. This project will teach community members how to spot koalas in need of rescue and further their understanding of the benefits of habitat expansion.

Employee sponsor: Mark Fairweather

Pushing Barriers aims to provide school-aged children from refugee backgrounds access to community sports. This AU$5,000 grant will fund materials such as uniforms, boots, equipment, and club memberships, enabling refugee children to actively participate in sports. The initiative ignites possibilities and creates healthy communities for the youth by lowering youth crime and providing a positive and productive outlet for refugee children. 

Employee sponsor: Peter Nel

Sisters Inside advocates for the human rights of incarcerated or recently released women and girls by providing services that address their needs. This AU$5,000 grant will fund materials to maintain a connection between criminalised mothers and their children. The funds will cover communication between incarcerated mothers and their families, as well as allow women and children access to emergency housing, food, transportation, personal hygiene projects and medicine. 

A £1,500 grant to Ayshire East Foodbank will help provide a three-day food supply to community members experiencing emergency situations.

A £1,500 grant to the Apsley Community Food Bank at St. Mary’s Church will provide non-perishable goods and refreshments for anyone (of any creed or none) seeking food.

A £1,500 grant to Croydon Nightwatch will provide food and supplies for people experiencing homelessness in Croydon.

A £1,500 grant to the Southwark Foodbank will provide emergency food supplies for local people in crisis.

AHSTW Community Schools, based in Avoca, Iowa, is dedicated to fostering a dynamic learning community that equips students for success in an ever-changing world. This $27,500 grant will procure push-button door locks for all classroom doors, enhancing school safety during lockdown situations. Research demonstrates that locked doors can be one of the biggest defences against a school shooting. 

Employee sponsor: Angela Grote | Des Moines, IA

A $29,731 grant to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Bend will fund outdoor playground equipment for an early learning centre, facilitating crucial developmental activities such as conflict resolution and teamwork. By bridging the gap between home and school, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Bend aims to reduce the risk of unsupervised and unsafe periods for children and teenagers outside of school hours.

Employee sponsor: Alexa Fulbright | Corpus Christi, TX

With the support of a $27,818 grant, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida will renovate the Project Learn space, where kids take part in academic enhancement activities. The grant will fund new furniture, laptops and electronics, such as virtual reality equipment. Through its commitment to empowering young people in need, the club aims to cultivate responsible, caring citizens prepared for success.

Employee sponsor: Danyell Cooper | Jacksonville, FL

Camp Kita aims to foster hope and joy through shared experiences, ultimately contributing to generational transformation among children affected by suicide and suicide risk. This $30,000 grant will complete funding for a 572-square-foot, prefabricated building that is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It will support the physical and behavioural health of individuals participating in services offered by The Kita Center.

Employee sponsor: Rebecca Stouges | Denver, CO

Friends of Des Moines Parks will launch a new inclusive youth sports program for athletes with disabilities with the support of a $15,200 grant. The funds will cover adaptive sports equipment, including specialised wheelchairs for participants of different abilities to be able to participate in baseball, softball, basketball, soccer and track. With a significant portion of Iowa's youth living with disabilities, this initiative aims to provide accessible and age-appropriate activities, fostering a healthier and more vibrant community for all.

Employee sponsor: Andy McCoy | Des Moines, IA

As a volunteer-led parent-teacher organisation, Hansen Community Council provides critical support to Hansen Elementary School by planning, organising and funding enrichment activities beyond what is provided by the school district. This $29,950 grant will support Hansen Community Council’s efforts to enhance inclusivity through the addition of a roller slide on the school’s playground, which is also open to the public during non-school hours. Wider than a typical slide to allow multiple children of all abilities to play simultaneously, the roller slide is specifically designed to meet the needs of children with disabilities like sensory processing disorders, neurodiversity (such as autism, ADHD and anxiety), and hearing loss (because the non-static slide does not interfere with cochlear implants).

Employee sponsor: Brett Stark | Olympia, WA

With this $29,995 grant, Idaho Shakespeare Festival will purchase a box truck to transport set pieces for its educational theatre touring programs. Through these programs, professional actors transform cafeterias and gymnasiums across the state into temporary and magical theatrical plays full of haunted libraries, troubled kingdoms and the wonders of Shakespeare — inviting students into these imaginary worlds filled with characters that the students can connect with, be inspired by and to learn from. Each spring, two troupes of actors travel roughly 14,000 miles across the state and perform for approximately 50,000 K-12 students in urban, rural, remote and often underserved areas throughout Idaho.

Employee sponsor: Kâren Sander | Boise, ID

MTB Missoula aims to promote and create mountain biking opportunities in Missoula and the surrounding areas through trail building, stewardship, advocacy and outreach. This $30,000 grant will help the organisation acquire a half-ton pickup truck and 20-bike capacity trailer to support its youth mountain bike outreach program and trail maintenance events. The program seeks to provide both the knowledge and equipment for under-resourced community members to enjoy mountain biking.

Employee sponsor: Jon Schick | Missoula, MT

The Rick Herrema Foundation, located just outside Fort Liberty, was founded in 2014 by Special Operations Force soldiers to honour the fort late Rick Herrema, a soldier who died in Operation Iraqi Freedom. RHF’s mission is to strengthen relationships and build community for the military family through fun, quality activities. This $30,000 grant will help to open up a new area of the park as part of a 3.2- mile nature trail that will feature wheelchair and stroller-accessible routes with interactive activities to include scavenger hunts, read-and-walk stories, creek-side walking, fitness stations, wildlife education and kids’ libraries. 

Employee sponsor: Leah Gentilin | Raleigh, NC

This $5,000 grant to Roper Mountain Science Center will fund materials and supplies for its 4th-grade physical science lab, serving more than 7,000 students from 46 school districts annually with hands-on, standards-based science learning lab experiences. The “Powerful Decisions” physical science lab will be equipped with snap circuit kits with other components, solar powered energy toys and rechargeable batteries as a result of the grant. 

Employee sponsor: Jennifer Mustar | Greenville, SC

Sustainable Princeton strives to lead community change to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen resilience to the impacts of the changing climate and protect the local ecosystem. This $12,741 grant will fund materials needed to construct 20 downspout planters to mitigate flooding and support the local ecosystem with native plantings, providing green infrastructure as an environmentally friendly solution.

Employee sponsor: James Burton | Pennington, NJ

The Young Women’s Preparatory Network provides college-preparatory education and fosters academic and leadership skills to young women. This $29,755 grant will fund essential STEM technology and equipment for the Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School. These tools will ensure equitable access to quality education, levelling the playing field for low-income students to have the same opportunities as their higher-income peers. 

Employee sponsor: George Cisneros | Dallas, TX