Participants kayak with Rocky Mountain Adaptive

HDR Foundation Grant Application Process

Thinking of Applying for a Grant?

Every grant from the HDR Foundation and our global philanthropic funds begins with a cause close to an employee's heart.

Michelle Parratt is a senior project manager in our Calgary, Alberta, office. Volunteering with the Rocky Mountain Adaptive summer kayaking program combines her love of the outdoors with her desire to help people in the Canmore community where she lives.

RMA provides more than 2,000 adaptive mountain sports opportunities to people of all ability levels each year, including kayaking, biking, hiking and skiing. Two HDR Canada Fund grants will support the purchase of new adaptive kayak equipment and adaptive children's bicycles, helping to offer those experiences to even more people in Alberta.

Rocky Mountain Adaptive

What We Support

Through the HDR Foundation, we seek to fund charitable organizations located in the communities where our employees live and work. In the U.S., eligible applicants include U.S.-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, federally recognized tribal governments, educational institutions, and political subdivisions such as school districts or libraries. In Canada, please review this list of eligible charities (donees).

We provide funding for discrete projects that show promise for lasting impact and meet the following criteria:

  • Current HDR employee engagement and service
  • Quantifiable outcomes
  • Measurable impacts
  • Clear scopes of work
  • Detailed budget information
  • Activities that are sustainable beyond the grant term

For more information, please contact us at HDRFoundation [at] hdrinc.com (HDRFoundation[at]hdrinc[dot]com).

How We Make Grants

What You Need to Complete the Application

  • Proof of eligibility status: A copy of your organization’s IRS determination letter and Form W-9 (U.S.), or compliance with subsection 149.1(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada)
  • Your organization’s most recent audited financial statement or IRS Form 990
  • Your organization’s annual operational budget
  • A completed itemized project budget form (provided in our grant application system)
  • A completed HDR employee sponsor form (provided in our grant application system)
  • A letter of support from an HDR employee sponsor
  • A summary of the project, demonstrated need statement, population served and anticipated outcomes

What We Can't Fund

  • Grants to individuals, including scholarships 
  • Grants to organizations that have any pending issue before the Internal Revenue Service that may result in a change to current tax exempt status.
  • Operational support, including salary, wages or any compensation to consultants, contractors or advisors. For more information visit, AccountingTools.com
  • Grants to faith-based institutions or institutions with a faith-based mission
  • Grants to organizations dedicated to the welfare of domesticated animals
  • Advocacy
  • Travel support
  • Capital campaigns
  • Grants to pass-through organizations, endowments, community foundations, rotaries and operating foundations
  • Sponsorships, conference or event support, or prizes

2024 Grant Application Schedule

HDR Australia Fund Grant Cycle*

Up to AU$5,000 
Application cycle now closed.
Grants announced: May 2024

1st Small Grant Cycle, U.S.

US$5,000-$30,000
Application cycle now closed.
Grants announced: March 2024

HDR Australia Fund Grant Cycle

Up to AU$5,000
Application cycle now closed.
Grants announced: June 2024

2nd Small Grant Cycle, U.S.

US$5,000-$30,000
Application cycle now closed.
Grants announced: July 2024

HDR Canada Fund Grant Cycle

CA$5,000-$10,000
Application cycle now closed.
Grants announced: July 2024

Employee Network Group Grant Cycle*

Up to $10,000
Application cycle now closed.
Grants announced: Sept. 2024

Large Grant Cycle, U.S.

US$30,000+
Letter of intent now closed. 
Applications accepted: Aug. 27-Sept. 17, 2024
Grants announced: Nov. 2024

HDR United Kingdom Fund Grant Cycle*

Up to £5000 
Applications accepted Aug. 1-Sept. 20, 2024
Grants announced: Oct. 2024

* denotes grants with an internal application process completed by HDR employees