The Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation has updated its grant guidelines, increasing grant opportunities in communities where the company operates. Responding to rising demands for basic services, the board of trustees approved several changes aimed at making the guidelines more flexible so they better serve local needs.
Among the changes are:
- More robust budget-allocation formula to recognize Weyerhaeuser’s historical footprint in a community in spite of a reduced employee base
- Additional funds for states with Weyerhaeuser timberlands acreage
- Giving structure that allows local committees complete flexibility in choosing the support services to fund, including the elimination of percentage targets for types of service
- Reduction of the minimum grant amount from $5,000 to $1,000 (Although the Foundation continues to encourage fewer, larger grants because they can have a greater impact on a community, it recognizes that small grants can be effective in many cases.)
Focus areas for grants going forward are:
- Affordable housing and shelter
- Education and youth development
- Environmental stewardship
- Human services, civic and cultural growth
The application deadline for grants to be awarded during 2010 is August 1. Visit the Foundation’s How to Apply page to see steps for beginning a new application, an overview of the application process, and grant amounts.
Besides updating its grant guidelines, the Foundation has confirmed that the popular Making WAVES program will continue. The volunteer engagement of Weyerhaeuser employees in their communities remains a key element in the company’s community giving strategy. We encourage all employees to volunteer so local communities can benefit from their time and talents.
