HDR Foundation Awards Over Half a Million Dollars to 17 Nonprofits
The HDR Foundation awarded $580,073 in grants to 17 nonprofits, with recipients spanning 11 U.S. states and two projects outside the U.S.
Each grant includes an HDR employee actively engaged with the nonprofit, with a focus on causes related to education, healthy communities and environmental stewardship.
Luke Thompson, wastewater engineer, sponsored a grant to Engineers Without Borders USA for six volunteer-based projects in Guatemala.
“Engineers Without Borders USA was the first organization to show me the true power of engineering — not just as a profession but as a means to create lasting, positive change,” Thompson said. “This grant will fund essential water, sanitation and infrastructure improvements for over 5,000 people, supporting healthier, more resilient communities.”
Nick Burdette, Northeast region bridge lead, sponsored a grant for a new mobile market food truck for Garfield Community Farm, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit at which he has volunteered for over 15 years.
“I love their mission to provide healthy produce and nutrition education in and with a disadvantaged Pittsburgh community,” Burdette said. “Like an ice cream truck for veggies, moving around the neighborhood and accepting all forms of payment is a fantastic way to serve the community.”
Several HDR employees are longtime volunteers with Aspire Afterschool Learning, which received funding to furnish its new STE Makerspace at Arlington Mill Community Center in northern Virginia. There, students partake in hands-on learning projects and are exposed to future career fields.
“We are thrilled to continue a decade-long partnership of volunteer and financial support for the Aspire Afterschool Learning program that improves education access and opportunities for historically underserved students in our local Arlington community,” said John Knickmeyer, education science and community principal. “We are confident that this grant will have positive ripple effects within our local community for decades to come.”
Read more about the latest grants, as well as the rest of our grants awarded in 2025.
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 $11 million in grants to nearly 400 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.
