2014 HDR Foundation Grants
Large Grants
Green Empowerment | Portland, Oregon
Green Empowerment works globally to provide renewable energy and water systems to impoverished communities. More than 25 HDR employees in 2014 voluntarily worked on a solar irrigation project in three Nicaragua communities: El Espino, El Bálsamo and Malacatoya. The $22,640 funds supported project equipment costs and local engineering, as well as a small local engineering fellowship.
Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy | Gretna, Nebraska
HETRA provides equine-assisted activities to adults and children with disabilities, including cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, brain tumors, head or spinal cord injuries, visual and hearing impairment, autism and more. In the winter, programs are often cancelled, reducing critical therapeutic interventions. The HDR Foundation’s $81,550 grant was used to add insulation and heaters to HETRA's facility, resulting in year-round programming and continuity of care.
Penn State-Altoona | Altoona, Pennsylvania
Penn State's Rail Transportation Engineering (RTE) Program is the only four-year degree program that focuses specifically on the rail transportation industry. Penn State is establishing a Quarter Roundhouse teaching and learning facility that will provide access to rolling stock and track structures. The $25,000 grant will support the purchase of RTE lab equipment, contributing to the creation of transformational experiences within and beyond classrooms, supporting a dynamic RTE degree program.
Small Grants
City Blossoms | Washington D.C.
Dedicated to creating and maintaining kid-driven, engaging, creative green spaces throughout Washington, D.C., City Blossoms’ $6,400 grant will help the group grow its programming at its two current Community Green Spaces. These formerly vacant, unsafe lots are now integrated into neighborhoods and allow residents access to free, freshly harvested produce and culinary education.
Anchorage School of Engineering | Anchorage, Alaska
The University of Alaska Foundation’s Engaging Alaska in the World Water Monitoring Challenge is an international education and outreach program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world by asking citizens to monitor their local water bodies. The $4,500 of support from the HDR Foundation will help the UAA School of Engineering develop curriculum for and train K-12 teachers so they can get Alaskan students involved.
Explore Austin | Austin, Texas
The Explore Program supports disadvantaged sixth-grade students by assigning mentors who support them for six years, with a goal of completing high school and beyond. The HDR Foundation’s $13,000 grant will help purchase outdoor materials for Explore Austin’s numerous programs.
Bridges to Prosperity | Denver, Colorado
The organization’s engineering program in Nicaragua will create bridges in the communities of Cita Verde, Mata de Tules and El Trentino, with engineering teams from the University of Iowa, Notre Dame and Portland State. The $10,000 grant will be used to purchase the materials for these builds.
Lynx Robotics | Council Bluffs, Iowa
The $9,000 provided by the HDR Foundation will allow Lynx Robotics to purchase additional robots and increase the number of students who can be involved in competitive robotics teams.
Working in the Schools | Chicago, Illinois
WITS’ Mid-day Mentoring program brings mentors and students together for one-on-one reading time once a week. It targets students in second and third grade, a critical time for literacy development. The $5,000 grant will be used to help purchase educational materials for the program.