Grant Information

Caterpillar has long regarded investing in communities as fundamental to our concept of good business. Being a global industry leader also means that we must also be a leader in communities we are based in.

Since its inception in 1954, the Caterpillar Foundation has contributed more than $300 million around the world in assisting the company to further maintain a legacy of good citizenship and provide the many facets of charitable outreach.

Thanks to the relationships we are building and the resources we are providing, the Caterpillar Foundation continues to make investing in the community a strong priority. We are proud that our community leadership and involvement continues to be such an integral part of our corporate culture.

Funds distributed by the Foundation are helping to promote access to basic human needs, provide humanitarian relief after natural disasters, enhance schools and libraries, preserve environments and promote conservation. Additionally, Caterpillar’s matching gifts program joins employees, retirees, and directors together to increase support for educational institutions, cultural organizations and to promote free trade.

Grant Criteria
The Caterpillar Foundation accepts proposals throughout the year and grants are awarded based upon:

  • Demonstrated level of community support and collaboration
  • Outcome based effectiveness of requestor’s program
  • Impact on Caterpillar Foundation’s strategic goals
  • Uniqueness of services provided by the organization
  • Availability of Foundation funds

Caterpillar Foundation Philosophy
The Caterpillar Foundation believes a community should support quality programs. We strive to be one of many supporters for each program we contribute to. As a result, the Foundation often will not commit to a funding request until the organization has demonstrated community financial support for the program in question.

The Foundation rarely assists in the development of new programs, and prefers to enhance existing ones.

The Foundation receives, and is appreciative of, various forms of recognition bestowed upon it for making a contribution. However, the placement of signs, plaques, award statues, invitations to galas, etc. in honor of the Foundation is discouraged. Instead, please utilize the funds that would otherwise be expensed on such forms of recognition for the program the Foundation is funding.

The Foundation receives a great many requests for assistance – in fact, the requests outpace our ability to honor all of them. As such, we are faced with more requests than we have in available dollars. In order to prioritize requests, the Foundation first focuses on communities where Caterpillar employees work and play, followed by organizations and institutions where multiple employees have direct connections.

Grant Limitations
Legal Requirements

Education:
To help ensure Caterpillar has access to the best and brightest future workforce from which to recruit, the Foundation invests heavily in the education of potential employees. Working with Caterpillar Talent Management, we identify schools and curriculum whose programs develop the skills Caterpillar requires in its employees to help make sustainable progress possible. In 2008, the Foundation contributed more than $12 million in educational programs, scholarships in the areas of engineering and mathematics and student development at schools near Caterpillar communities around the world.
Health and Human Services:
In communities where Caterpillar employees live and work, the Foundation contributes to organizations that provide basic human needs such as shelter, food, clothing, and building self-reliance. These services strengthen communities as a whole, while aiding those most in need.  The Foundation contributed nearly $15 million to health and human services organizations in 2008.
Environmental Sustainability:
The Caterpillar Foundation assists organizations around the world with projects that promote environmental sustainability and the conservation of resources. From the rainforests of Brazil to the congested commuter routes of India, the Foundation is investing in projects that make the world a cleaner, greener and more sustainable place to live. In 2008, the Foundation invested nearly $5 million in such projects.