In Our Communities

Community-Based Grant Program

General Criteria

The Foundation awards grants through an annual application process through which nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations located in Union Pacific communities may apply. For additional information regarding qualifying for a grant, please visit the Who Can Apply section.

The Foundation administers the program through a formal online grant application process. Applications are accepted only through the online process. Copies of the application mailed to the Foundation will be returned. For additional information regarding the grant application timeline and online application process, please visit the When To Apply and How To Apply sections.

An organization is allowed to complete only one application for only one program/project during the open application process. The Foundation does not provide leadership gifts or support requests for which it is asked to be the sole funder. Organizations with multiple branches in one community, i.e. YMCAs, are considered one organization by the Foundation. This means that only one branch in the community may apply to the Foundation in any given year. It is best for these types of organizations to coordinate their requests through the "home office" to avoid confusion and possible disqualification of the entire organization.

Applications undergo a competitive review process. A Foundation invitation to submit an application in no way guarantees funding of that request. The Foundation receives a multitude of grant requests for worthwhile projects every year. Unfortunately, more that 60 percent of the requests are not funded, simply because the demand exceeds the Foundation's resources. Denial is not necessarily a reflection of the quality of the grant request or applicant organization. The volume of funding requests received also precludes providing individual critiques of unsuccessful requests.

To see recent grants awarded to organizations in your state or community, please visit our Community News Releases section and look for your state.

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Who Can Apply

The Foundation requires that an organization be located in a community served by Union Pacific Railroad, is a 501(c)(3) public charity as identified by the IRS and falls within one of the three areas of interest outlined below.

1. Union Pacific Community: The community where the organization is based must be served by Union Pacific Railroad. (View a map showing where Union Pacific Railroad operates in the United States.) Your community must be located on these railroad lines. The Foundation does not accept applications from organizations located outside the Union Pacific served area even though the intent may be to operate a program in a Union Pacific community.
2. Public Charity or Municipality: The organization must possess a current 501(c)(3) determination letter from the IRS stating that the organization has been classified as an organization described in sections 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(A)(ii-vi) of the Internal Revenue Code. Municipalities located on Union Pacific lines may apply for one-time programs/projects provided the program/project benefits the entire community. Applications for services for which the municipality has taxing authority, i.e. fire department, police department, etc., will not be considered.
3. Areas of Interest: The Foundation has a strong interest in promoting organizational effectiveness among nonprofits. To that end, the Foundation will dedicate the majority of these grants to help nonprofit organizations build their capacity, increase their impact, and operate more efficiently and effectively. The Foundation will be particularly receptive to proposals that fall within the following categories:
   • Community and Civic: To assist community-based organizations and related activities that improve and enrich the general quality of life in the community. This category includes organizations such as aquariums, botanical gardens, children's museums, history/science museums, public libraries, public television and radio, zoos, etc.
   • Fine Arts: To create a wider opportunity for the enjoyment of and participation in the visual and performing arts. A limited amount of funding is available for this category. Preference will be given to those organizations with whom the Foundation has an established relationship.
   • Health and Human Services: To assist organizations dedicated to improving the level of health care or providing human services in the community. The Foundation is proud to support the United Ways in numerous Union Pacific communities. Applications will not be accepted from United Ways as funding is awarded annually at the Foundation's discretion. Applications from member agencies of United Ways already supported by Union Pacific Foundation, are limited to capital requests only.

Please Note: Unsolicited requests from formal educational institutions such as colleges and universities are not accepted.

The Foundation generally will not consider a request from/for:

• Individuals
• Organizations/projects/programs that do not fit within the Foundation's funding priorities
• Organizations without a Section 501(c)(3) public charity determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service
• Organizations that channel grant funds to third parties
• Organizations whose dominant purpose is to influence legislation or participate/intervene in political campaigns on behalf of or against any candidate for public office
• Organization/projects/programs for which the Foundation is asked to serve as the sole funder
• Organizations that already have an active multi-year Union Pacific Foundation grant
• Organizations which are sectarian (i.e. programs which promote religious doctrine)
• Organizational deficits
• Local affiliates of national health/disease-specific organizations
• Non-US-based charities
• Organizations whose program activities are mainly international
• Elementary or Secondary schools
• Athletic programs or events
• Donation of railroad equipment
• Conventions, conferences or seminars
• Fellowships or Research
• Loans
• Labor organizations
• Organizations whose programs have a national scope

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How To Apply

Union Pacific Foundation will accept only online applications through the process outlined below. Printed copies of the application are not available and will not be accepted.

Organizations interested in applying for a grant should first review all information contained in the General Criteria section. After reviewing this information you may follow these steps to request a formal application:

Our application process has two steps. Step One, the Preliminary Application must be completed and submitted no later than 4 p.m. CDT August 14. Based on the information received in that Preliminary Application, a determination is made whether or not the submission qualifies to move to Step Two of the process, the Full Application.

Please Note: A last-minute submission of your Preliminary Application may not allow for "processing time" of that Application, or, if your Preliminary Application is accepted to move on to the next phase, you may not have allowed yourself enough time to complete the Full Application and still meet the deadline of Midnight, August 15.

Step One: Preliminary Application - Due by 4:00 p.m. CDT August 14
Complete the one-page preliminary application form to declare your intention to apply for funding. This form introduces both the applicant organization and the proposed project or program to the Foundation. Be concise with your answers as this information does not transfer to the full application. When completed, the "Send Request" button will send this information to the Foundation for review. The Foundation will respond via e-mail regarding the status of the preliminary application within two business days.

If you are currently using a SPAM-blocking tool, please add UPF@up.com to your "approved" e-mail contacts.

Step Two: Full Application - Due by midnight CDT August 15
If the Foundation is interested in exploring the grant request further, the Foundation will send you a link to the Web site containing the online application form. The form is very easy to navigate through. You can complete the entire form at one time, or work through the sections at your own pace as the form can be saved for access at a later time. However, once you have clicked the "Submit" button you will no longer have access to your form to edit or complete. Your application has not been sent to the Foundation until you select the "Submit" button.

Applications undergo a competitive review process. A Foundation invitation to submit an application in no way guarantees funding of that request. The Foundation receives a multitude of grant requests for worthwhile projects every year. Unfortunately, more that 60 percent of the requests are not funded simply because the demand exceeds the Foundation's resources. Denial is not necessarily a reflection of the quality of the grant request or applicant organization. The volume of funding requests received also precludes our providing individual critiques of unsuccessful requests.

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When To Apply