2023 HDR Foundation Grants

Allegheny Land Trust is introducing "Nature on Wheels," a pioneering educational endeavor employing a "Mobile Learning Lab" to deliver hands-on STEM-based environmental learning experiences directly to schools, events and libraries. Equipped with state-of-the-art tools like digital microscopes and augmented reality sandboxes, ALT aims to engage 20,000 individuals annually — a 400% increase in their educational reach. With a $58,000 grant, ALT plans to procure an EV truck, customize a trailer and purchase 10 new microscopes for this initiative. 

Employee sponsor: Elijah Hughes | Pittsburgh, PA

The AWWA Water Equation initiative aims to provide students with a solid foundation in applied engineering and its practical applications, influencing their career choices. Building upon a 2022 HDR Foundation grant, this $43,081 grant will fund water quality calibration and testing instruments as well as virtual reality equipment to integrate water studies and technologies into the middle school curriculum of three schools in Florida. This educational effort will be supported by AWWA volunteers, Water Equation staff, and HDR employees, who will actively engage students in water quality testing and facilitate field trips to water desalination and treatment facilities.

Employee sponsor: Kevin Bergschneider | Denver, CO

This $38,838 grant to AIM Institute will address critical barriers faced by low-income participants, including internet access challenges. Upgrades to conference room equipment and the expansion of the laptop lending library for Code School courses will enhance educational experiences in the tech industry. This funding will also enable AIM staff to support students and schools with FAFSA applications, college applications and navigating postsecondary education.

Employee sponsor: Michele Jensen | Omaha, NE

The Phyllis Wheatley Home Healing and Cultural Garden project aims to create a serene and inclusive outdoor space in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood. This initiative, led by Architreasures in collaboration with the Phyllis Wheatley Home Group, seeks to offer a place for residents and families to unwind, engage in therapeutic gardening, learn about holistic health, and cultivate meaningful connections. This $50,000 grant to Architreasures will fund hardscape materials, a toolshed, fencing planters and vegetation for this transformative participatory art and design project.

This $30,000 grant to Austin Parks Foundation will provide a shade structure and shade trees for Montopolis Neighborhood Park, a public space located in southeast Austin. Currently, the park's 40-year-old pool and playground are undergoing renovations, and adding extra shade will significantly enhance outdoor accessibility in the Texas heat and promote health and wellness in an underserved community.

Employee sponsor: Rashed Islam | Austin, TX

Bayou Vermilion Preservation Association is dedicated to education and outreach to conserve and protect the Vermilion River Watershed. This $57,300 grant will establish an access point for river recreation with a new floating canoe and kayak launch, development of accessible pathways, native Cajun Prairie planting for stormwater runoff reduction and restoration of the riverbank post-construction. The project aligns with BVPA’s mission of preserving and enhancing the Vermilion River for the community's benefit and promoting environmental sustainability.

Employee sponsor: Amber Robinson | Lafayette, LA

The Bicycle Co-Op of Williamsburg, a bicycle repair and refurbishment shop, has been awarded a $30,900 grant for the expansion of its current space to meet the growing demand. The project encompasses the creation of two additional workstations for bike engineers, doubling the number of bikes they can repair or refurbish per work session, and the establishment of an inviting retail environment for customers. This grant represents a significant step toward providing more refurbished used bikes, either free or at low cost, to those in need of reliable transportation. 

Employee sponsor: Bill Cunningham | Newport News, VA

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands, committed to promoting the positive development of young individuals, has been awarded a $40,676 grant to enhance programming at six locations in southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa by providing 108 new tablets. During the 2022-2023 school year, 828 Club youth participated in the Readers to Leaders program, with those utilizing newer, well-maintained tablets demonstrating notable progress in reading proficiency through online software applications like Lalilo and STAR. This initiative exemplifies the organization's mission to empower youth with the tools and resources necessary for personal growth and success.

Employee sponsor: Mark Pohlmann | Omaha, NE

A $31,404 grant to the Creighton Community Foundation will support the purchase of a hammer mill for processing mesquite pods into flour. A key feature of the FrescaZona Interventional Nutrition Market, this will increase nutritional knowledge and food practices among 14 low-income, food deserts in east-central Phoenix, where about 700 primarily Latinx families engage in activities that build pathways. CCF’s mission is to develop community vibrancy through multi-generational, community capacity-building strategies integrated into school-centered neighborhoods.

Employee sponsor: Rebecca Santiago | Phoenix, AZ

Girls on the Run is a nonprofit dedicated to improving the physical and mental well-being of girls. Each Girl on the Run council equips coaches with two hard-copy curriculum books for easy reference during confidence-building lessons, and this $55,760 grant will provide 31 councils serving elementary-age students on 1,380 teams in the western U.S. with new curricula books that ensure coaches have access to lesson materials, tips and resources at their fingertips. Girls on the Run aims to enhance participants' social, emotional and physical skills, enabling them to navigate life experiences successfully. 

Heartland Family Service Iowa Family Works is a residential treatment facility specializing in supporting pregnant women and mothers dealing with mental health and substance use disorders. They are the sole provider of this essential service in southwest Iowa. A $35,452 grant will support the upgrade of the IFW facility security camera system, aligning with their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of their clients, staff and families. 

Employee sponsor: Leanne Ziettlow | Omaha, NE

International Rescue Committee will use a $58,000 grant to acquire a passenger van, addressing critical transportation requirements for approximately 900 refugees from over 20 countries annually. These vans will be utilized by IRC staff to transport refugees and immigrants, including recently arrived individuals from Afghanistan and Ukraine, to essential events and appointments such as medical visits, mental health activities and community orientation initiatives. The grant aligns with IRC's mission to restore health, safety, education, economic well-being, and empowerment to those affected by conflict and disaster, while also advocating for gender equality worldwide.

The iUrban Teen iEngineer program is an engineering initiative aimed at increasing access and representation for historically marginalized Black and Indigenous students in the field of engineering. A $75,122 grant will support this program in Seattle, Portland and Dallas, covering essential materials and supplies, including robotic arms, safety gear, workbooks and GIS mapping software. iUrban Teen focuses on STEM+Arts education and mentoring to empower youth of color.

Employee sponsor: Brittany Grenard | Bellevue, WA

Mentor for Change will acquire a passenger van to facilitate the expansion of their services to unhoused teens in South and Downtown Los Angeles with the support of a $50,130 grant. This funding will enable Mentor for Change to extend programming into 2024, targeting additional first-generation, low-income and unhoused youths. The van will be used to transport youth to MFC's program office, STEAM exploration field trips and personal development workshops. Mentor For Change is dedicated to unlocking the potential in every youth through career-based mentoring.

Employee sponsor: Christine Choi | Los Angeles, CA

A $212,374 grant to Oklahoma Connections Academy will fund a new vehicle for conversion into a mobile STEM lab, along with necessary lab equipment. This initiative aims to bolster interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics among students and families who are part of Oklahoma’s tuition-free online public K-12 school. Oklahoma Connection Academy is committed to helping each student reach their full potential and achieve the highest academic standards through a personalized online learning program featuring flexible schedules, interactive teaching, a rigorous curriculum and active family involvement.

Employee sponsor: Mike Walters | Tulsa, OK

A $30,000 grant to Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation will fund two forensic interview imaging camera systems for its child protection team. This team conducts forensic medical exams and interviews to identify and address child maltreatment, working in collaboration with law enforcement, the Department of Child Safety and county attorney offices for evidence collection. Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation is dedicated to advancing hope, healing and world-class healthcare for children and families in Arizona and beyond. 

Employee sponsor: Margaret Ittelson | Phoenix, AZ

A $46,000 grant to Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum will support the purchase of four interactive exhibits, collectively referred to as the "Digital Space Gallery." The Digital Gallery, a mobile installation that will be owned by the museum, will enhance visitor engagement through immersive experiences and personalization, aligning with educational programming. The SAC Museum utilizes over 300,000 square feet of space to provide entertainment, education and inspiration to guests from Nebraska and around the world.

Employee sponsor: Bruce Carpenter | Omaha, NE

This $95,000 grant to Surge for Water will help implement transformative water, sanitation and hygiene solutions in remote Ugandan districts of Kaberamaido and Kalaki, benefitting over 8,000 individuals across four schools and communities. The funding will support well drilling, well rehabilitations, construction of eight new school toilet blocks, distribution of 28 classroom water filters, and education on hygiene, soap making, menstrual health and pad-making. These interventions address critical needs in regions with contaminated water sources and dilapidated school facilities, empowering women and children to break the cycle of poverty. Surge's community-led approach ensures long-term sustainability and community ownership. 

Employee sponsor: Scott Todd | Mobile, AL

Table Urban Farm, which has been dedicated to organic food cultivation in Denver since 2012, aims to enhance its transportation capabilities with the support of a $70,000 grant. Previously relying on personal vehicles and bicycles, the organization will acquire an EV truck and four electric cargo bikes, providing a reliable and efficient means for staff, interns and volunteers to commute between gardens while transporting essential tools and produce. This investment will increase the weekly households served by 25% and represents a significant step towards improving operational efficiency and impact on the community.

Employee sponsor: Ryan Hammons | Denver, CO

Through a $32,827 grant, Trees Atlanta will restore a forest in the Urban Food Forest at Browns Mill, situated just south of Downtown Atlanta. This 7.1-acre site, formerly an African American-owned farmstead, now serves as a vital food source for the local community. With the addition of 25 native trees and 440 cubic yards of mulch, the project aims to improve maintenance and safety within the forest by removing invasive species and replanting with edible shrubs. 

Employee sponsor: Brigitte von Oppenfeld | Atlanta, GA

With a $100,257 grant, Waterloo Volunteer Fire and Rescue will enhance and expand their cadet program, designed to equip youth and teens with essential skills for emergency response. The grant will fund fire and rescue-related materials, training props and personal protective equipment necessary to establish an effective program. These resources will not only benefit cadets, but also serve as training aids for current volunteers and be used in community education events. This grant will cover textbooks, scenario training props, CPR class props, an emergency medical services skills manikin, Stop the Bleed kits, youth-sized personal protective equipment, and associated storage and equipment for hands-on training experiences. 

Employee sponsor: Heather Witt | Omaha, NE

Watershed Committee of the Ozarks, in partnership with Springfield Public Schools, will use a $45,555 grant to establish a greenhouse, a pivotal component for their agricultural and ecological education program. This initiative aims to expand the successful Watershed Natives program to more schools and relocate the plant nursery to a larger site. The greenhouse addresses the critical need for temperature control to successfully grow aquatic native plants, playing a crucial role in supplying native plants to the region and generating revenue through sales to ensure the program's long-term financial sustainability. 

Employee sponsor: Aaron Robison | Springfield, MO

Youth Emergency Services will use a $37,185 grant to enhance its Emergency Shelter Program with a new van, facilitating safe transportation for homeless and near-homeless youth to essential appointments, work and school, as well as enable emergency placements in the shelter. The program, which offers programming, case management and secure housing, empowers youth to focus on their path towards self-sufficiency. Trained staff provide support in accessing employment, education, mental health counseling, medical screenings and treatment referrals.

Employee sponsor: Monique Wyatt | Omaha, NE

This CA$5,000 grant to 360°kids will support the “Kits for a Cause” program with 50 hygiene and 50 winter warmth kits for families with children who are seeking care, at risk or homeless. Our Richmond Hill employees will assemble the kits, which include items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste and shampoo as well as toques, gloves, scarves and extra underwear.

Employee sponsor: Dawn Padiernos | Richmond Hill, ON

The American Heart Association Hispanic Serving Institutions Scholars Program supports the Health for Life program at Miami Dade College, which enhances access to fresh, healthy food and provides vital nutrition education. This US$7,500 grant will fund the college’s food pantry refrigeration system, along with stocking the pantry and purchasing cooking utensils and educational materials. 

Employee sponsor: Moises Sierra | Doral, FL

The American Red Cross of Alaska Home Fire Campaign focuses on installing smoke alarms, creating escape plans and providing preparedness courses to address the disproportionate impact of home fires on low-income households and at-risk populations. This US$10,000 grant specifically targets sponsorship of Sound the Alarm events in Southcentral Alaska, aiming to enhance home safety, educate families and children, and deliver fire safety education in homes and schools statewide.

Employee sponsor: Samantha Buchanon | Anchorage, AK

This US$10,000 grant will fund supplies for bonfires, talent shows and programming at Brave Trails, an outdoor summer camp for LGBTQ+ youth. This will support camp events in 2024, ensuring financial accessibility for LGBTQ+ youth seeking an experience in nature within a safe, supportive environment.

Employee sponsor: Lucy Terrell-Lewis | Long Beach, CA

This US$10,000 grant supports the Challenge Alaska mission to enhance the lives of Alaskans with disabilities through adaptive sports, therapeutic recreation and education. The funds will contribute to the purchase of hockey sleds and other specialized equipment designed for individuals living with disabilities, breaking down barriers for Alaskan Veterans, adults, youth, and people with developmental disabilities to play hockey.

Employee sponsor: Katherine Wood | Anchorage, AK

The Charleston Parks Conservancy Community Garden program addresses food insecurity by donating fresh produce to local food pantries. Due to the rising challenges posed by severe weather and stormwater flooding, the Medway Community Garden requires the replacement of its deteriorating wooden beds. This US$10,000 grant will fund installation of 45 durable Aluzinc-coated metal beds, ensuring a more resilient and sustainable solution.

Employee sponsor: Michael Murphy | Charleston, SC 

This grant will support Colorado Asian Pacific United in unveiling and commemorating overlooked Asian American Pacific Islander histories. This US$10,000 grant will support the creation of a pop-up exhibit featuring educational installations and art to highlight local AAPI stories, with the long-term goal of establishing the first AAPI history and culture museum in the Rocky Mountain Region.

Employee sponsorship: Maggie Hua | Denver, CO 

Supported with a US$5,000 grant, the hygiene kit packing project led by FACES of Hope Foundation will address the critical needs of individuals in crisis due to interpersonal violence, serving as a pivotal resource on their path to safety. By providing comprehensive kits with full-size products, this initiative not only meets immediate needs, but also emphasizes the enduring impact of improved circumstances, significantly enhancing survivors' capacity to escape unsafe situations.

Employee sponsor: Kady Vasquez | Boise, ID

Family Promise of Butler County aims to empower families experiencing housing instability by offering not only shelter, but also intensive support services to facilitate their journey towards independence. This US$10,000 grant will enable Family Promise to transform three one-bedroom units into family-oriented spaces, providing essential amenities like stoves, small appliances, furniture and security cameras for added safety. 

Employee sponsor: Kathryn Gruver | Blue Ash, OH

The Foundation for Hospital Art is dedicated to involving patients and volunteers worldwide to create colourful, soothing artwork donated to hospitals to help soften the often stressful hospital experience. With the support of a US$1,480 grant, young professionals in the our Atalanta office will paint outlined canvases to create larger murals for placement in hospitals. This collaboration aims to bring joy to hospital staff and patients in Atlanta and beyond for years to come. 

Employee Sponsor: Olivia Childress | Atlanta, GA

Friends of Sausal Creek, with support of a US$8,300 grant, aims to enhance community access to Sausal Creek and restore the ecological health of the riparian habitat at the Barry Place site in Oakland's Sausal Creek Watershed. This initiative addresses the challenges of urbanization and socioeconomic disparities in the lower half of the watershed, offering residents a revitalized green space while also addressing issues of litter, pollution and invasive plant species.

Employee sponsor: Maria Antony Katticaran | San Francisco, CA

The Gullotta House Free Community Meals program has been instrumental in addressing food insecurity by delivering over 350,000 meals to individuals facing hardships while simultaneously supporting local restaurants, fostering community connections, and providing ongoing assistance to those unable to pick up meals themselves. With the support of a US$10,000 grant, volunteers from our New York office will serve hot meals at the annual Thanksgiving dinner, benefiting seniors, veterans, homeless individuals and other community members in need. 

Employee sponsor: Lauren Kennedy | New York, NY

Under the umbrella of the Hive Foundation, From the Ground Up Community Garden aims to enhance organic gardening education and community building. With the support of young professionals in our Pensacola office and a US$6,040 grant, volunteers will replace deteriorating beds, install new irrigation and contribute to the garden's revitalization.

Employee Sponsor: Phillip Walker | Pensacola, FL

Hui O Ho’ohonua engages the community in the bio-cultural restoration of the Pu`uloa (Pearl Harbor) shoreline, which includes three fishponds and two garden sites. This US$10,000 grant funds the acquisition of hand tools, safety supplies, weed control and soil amendment materials, and other supplies, supporting the organization's mission to address historical trauma to the land, water and people in the `Ewa Moku on `Oahu.

Employee sponsor: Jessica Shimazu | Honolulu, HI

The Just One Project Leadership Academy, a 90-day program addressing the needs of disconnected youth in poverty, emphasizes community support, workforce development, mental health and educational navigation. This US$10,000 grant supports the academy's student-centred approach by funding the purchase of computers and enrichment equipment, contributing to the organization's mission of building a stronger, healthier, and connected community through volunteerism and increased access to food and services.

Employee sponsor: Yesika Otano-Alonso | Las Vegas, NV

Light the Way Birthdays aims to shine a light during dark times, celebrating children, letting them know they matter and emphasizing community togetherness through birthday celebrations and gifts for houseless youth. This US$6,200 grant will help fulfill that mission by providing holiday presents to youth in homeless shelters throughout Salem, fostering a sense of care and community. 

Employee sponsor: Kyle Pitts | Salem, OR

The Minnesota Zoo Foundation provides K-12 students with animal encounters, special zoo activities, and educational programs through Zoo Camp. This US$10,000 grant will enhance both in-person and virtual camp experiences with essential supplies for summer 2024, including science and nature learning materials, with the support of young professionals in our St. Louis Park office to offer guidance in STEM activities to inspire young campers.

Employee sponsor: Brendan Ward | Saint Louis Park, MN

The Musokev Foundation, endeavours to eliminate gender-based violence in Nakivale Refugee Resettlement, Uganda, by addressing poverty as a key driver of gender-based violence, promoting job growth, self-reliance, and contributing to the creation of more stable societies. This US$5,493 grant will economically empower women and girls by renovating a training centre for expanded entrepreneurship and sewing classes, where clothes can be made to supplement family income. 

Employee sponsor: Samantha Nakayiza | Houston, TX

A US$10,000 grant will help the National Infantry Museum in Georgia to enhance its visitor experience by creating a multi-purpose reception desk displaying U.S. Armed Forces honours and accommodating changeable exhibits. This upgrade contributes to the free museum's display of one of the largest collections of military artifacts in the world. 

Employee sponsor: Raymond Washington | Charleston, SC

With the support of a US$10,000 grant, Natural Restorations and HDR volunteers will host a saguaro replanting event in the 2020 Bush Fire burn area. Grant funds will cover the purchase and transportation of 140 saguaros, educating volunteers on replanting techniques and burn scar restoration. This project aligns with Natural Restoration’s mission to remove trash and graffiti from outdoor recreation and wilderness areas, and revitalize natural areas through replanting. 

Employee sponsor: Justin Noyes | Phoenix, AZ

NeighborWorks Alaska improves quality of life for families and individuals by preserving homes, creating new housing opportunities and strengthening neighbourhoods. This US$10,000 grant will support the Paint the Town program, which transforms neighbourhoods, revitalizing homes for low-income, senior, disabled, and veteran residents to enhance community pride and safety. The funding will provide materials and supplies for home painting, with volunteer involvement from volunteers in the our Anchorage office.

Employee sponsor: Eric Jensen | Anchorage, AK

This US$10,000 grant to Omaha ForUs will be used to install a lift, providing accessibility for all in Omaha’s new inclusive and safe space. Omaha ForUs offers a hub for health and wellness services catering to the underserved LGBTQ+ community in Omaha.

Employee sponsor: Lucy Terrell-Lewis | Long Beach, CA

A US$10,000 grant to Operation of Humanity will support initiatives like creating lunch bags and providing meals outside of school for unhoused children. The grant also aids holiday assistance to local food banks, impacting families in need during the festive season. Employees from our North Texas offices will volunteer to support these initiatives as part of the grant. 

Employee sponsor: Trinh Ha | Dallas, TX

A US$10,000 grant to the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary will bolster its Shell Recycling Program with supplies to collect oyster shells and educational materials to recruit new restaurants to participate. This initiative addresses the decline of coastal wetlands in the Delaware Estuary, combating erosion and sea level rise, while supporting vital habitats for native wildlife by using recycled shells in living shorelines.

Employee sponsor: Spencer Nush | Philadelphia, PA

This US$7,000 grant to Portland Trails aims to establish an accessible trail loop in Evergreen Woods, enhancing the inclusivity of this popular recreational site. The "Evergreen Accessible Trail Loop," a 3/4-mile-long project featuring a widened trail, bridge replacement with guide rails, benches with hardened pads and improved signage, aligns with Portland Trails' mission to create a healthier community by connecting people with places through a network of trails and green spaces.

Employee sponsor: Samantha Anderson | South Portland, ME

Project Harmony, the largest children’s advocacy centre in the region, protects and supports children, collaborates with professionals, and engages the community to end child abuse and neglect. With the support of a US$5,070 grant for materials, HDR volunteers will create 150 tie blankets for children entering the Project Harmony system, which typically serves an average of 150 clients each month through forensic interviews.

Employee sponsor: Amanda Weihs | Omaha, NE

Project Pink’d supports breast cancer survivors in Nebraska and Western Iowa. This US$10,000 grant will provide 90 surgery kits at no cost to patients, featuring essential items like a robe, travel pillow, journal and inspirational note from a cancer thriver. 

Employee sponsor: Allison Grady | Omaha, NE

A US$10,000 grant will help Russian Jack Elementary create a school garden and outdoor classroom. The project includes raised beds, a greenhouse, seating and educational tools, fostering hands-on learning about food cultivation and natural systems such as the water, nutrients, and carbon cycles for improved environmental awareness and ocean health.

Employee sponsor: Mallory Allgeier | Anchorage, AK

A US$10,000 grant to South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center will support the Holly Days and Birdiest festivals, providing opportunities to promote environmental stewardship. The funds will supply materials for enhancing community education on recycling and conservation, such as tree frames, LED lights, educational signs and event infrastructure.

Employee sponsor: Angie Quiroga Torres | Corpus Christi, TX

Strathcona Community Gardens will procure and install photovoltaic solar panels with the support of a CA$5,000 grant. These solar panels will provide a sustainable energy source, supplying power to strategically placed lighting fixtures within the garden's pavilion and its immediate environs and extending the safe hours of access.

The Inn Between provides medical respite and end-of-life care for people experiencing homelessness. This US$10,000 grant will replace the existing walk-in refrigeration unit, ensuring the safe provision of three daily meals to over 120 vulnerable individuals annually. 

Employee sponsor: Chris Entzel | Salt Lake City, UT 

This US$9,975 grant to United Way of Middle Tennessee will help create bedtime kits for children aged 0-5. These kits, including STEM-based books and essentials, aim to promote healthy bedtime routines, raise literacy awareness, and enhance language development and cognitive skills. Our employees will assemble and distribute the kits, supporting children in need throughout Nashville.

A CA$5,000 grant to Vancouver Fruit Tree Project will fund tools and supplies to help redirect locally grown fruit to community members, reducing both food waste and food insecurity. The organization has harvested over 100,000 pounds of fruit in the 25 years since its inception.

The Veterans Health Administration serves 100-plus homeless veterans and their families year-round. All funds are directed towards purchasing food and sundry items for homeless veterans. This US$10,000 grant will go towards purchasing food and sundry items for more than 100 homeless veterans served by the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System's dedicated healthcare teams, focused on meeting the needs of veterans, their families and caregivers.

Employee sponsor: Dana Becker | Omaha, NE

The Kirby Science Discovery Center at Washington Pavilion offers accessible science, technology, engineering, arts and math programming for Sioux Falls students. A US$10,000 grant will enhance the centre’s Imagination Playground exhibit with additional foam blocks, providing a hands-on learning experience. During Engineer's Week, our volunteers will lead activities to inspire students about STEAM careers.

Employee sponsor: Elizabeth Coday | Sioux Falls, SD

A US$10,000 grant to West Atlanta Watershed Alliance will help improve the quality of life in the West Atlanta Watershed by supporting volunteer projects in environmental education, stewardship and justice. The funds will support replanting native species, upgrade educational kiosks and a food processing pavilion, and add a community rainwater catchment system. 

Employee sponsor: Olivia Wineski | Atlanta, GA

Yellow Door Foundation offers hope, healing and togetherness to families with a child undergoing treatment at the University of Virginia for life-threatening illnesses. The foundation provides free long-term lodging for families dealing with cancer treatment or organ transplants, easing the emotional and financial challenges associated with caring for their child. This US$8,715 grant will fund new furniture, bedding, towels and kitchen supplies for family lodging. 

Employee sponsor: John Heyman | Charlotte, NC

This £5,000 grant to the Centre for Social Inclusion will help establish a comprehensive wellness program for disadvantaged community members. The initiative aims to facilitate access to crucial health and community care services, foster social connections through weekly luncheon meetings, and provide evidence-based talks on nutrition. Additionally, professionals will deliver talks on disease prevention and management, with a key emphasis on introducing a dynamic wellness program designed to enhance overall well-being.

Employee sponsor: M.D. Aminul Islam, Berkhamsted, UK

This £3,000 grant will bolster a peer-mentoring initiative for adolescents grappling with grief stemming from the loss of a family member or dear friend. The allocated funds will be dedicated to program development, team-building activities, and professional consulting, which all are pivotal to the program's effectiveness and impact. This initiative aligns seamlessly with the mission of Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice, which is dedicated to providing high-quality, person-centred care for all those affected by life-limiting conditions.

Employee sponsor: Angela Bagan, Glasgow, UK

This £5,000 grant to Whale Song Music Therapy will fund the implementation of weekly music therapy groups tailored for young adults with learning disabilities who are transitioning from children to adult services. These sessions will be conducted at the Community Learning Disability Centre in Walthamstow by two highly qualified, Health and Care Professions Council-registered music therapists. The initiative aims to achieve three primary objectives: enhance emotional well-being, foster improved peer relationships and facilitate enhanced communication skills. The funds will be used to purchase musical instruments and instruction.

This £1,400 grant will establish a "FIRST LEGO" League Discover program, providing a playful introduction to STEM for children aged 4-6. The funds will provide The Institution of Engineering and Technology with a comprehensive training package, including instructor materials, LEGO sets, programming resources and challenge materials. The program utilizes LEGO DUPLO bricks to foster early learning habits and curiosity-driven exploration in young students.

Employee sponsor: Francesca Scull, Croydon, UK

This £5,000 grant will fund two gates at the Hatch Ride Primary School playground to improve safety and security. The Parent-Teacher Organization of Hatch Ride Primary School is a volunteer-based organization that works to support the school through fundraising, community engagement, and advocacy efforts. The new gates will help improve demarcation of a large field, separate playground and landscaping around the school.

Employee sponsor: Pamela Esin, London, UK

This US$17,550 grant to ACE Mentor Program Cleveland will fund computers with skills development software and program development for the free ACE “Out of School” program. Over 16 sessions, students from the urban core of Cleveland learn leadership, hands-on skills, industry vocabulary, real-world applications and explore architecture, construction and engineering careers. Through virtual curriculum development, career learning gamification, skill assessment testing and industry software such as CADD, Revit and Sketch Up, this grant will directly fulfill the mentor program’s mission to engage, excite and enlighten students about ACE careers while preparing them to succeed in these industries.

Employee sponsor: Lauren Van Meter | Cleveland, OH

Working with Beyond BASIC Life Skills, Summerville residents with intellectual disabilities develop independent living skills to achieve fulfillment and flourish as members of their community. Cooking classes for learning kitchen equipment, healthy eating and sustainable food practices are just one of the many opportunities the organization provides. This US$15,170 grant for a kitchen renovation will provide a safe, well-lit, accessible space to expand this program.

Employee Sponsor: Amanda Redick | Charleston, SC

A 2022 HDR Foundation grant to the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana successfully established a nursery at the New Orleans Reservation Headquarters to decrease reliance on purchasing mature plants for their coastal restoration projects. The Native Plants Program unites people in action to sustainably combat Louisiana’s land loss crisis, and the urban nursery makes participating possible for volunteers who are unable to work in swamplands. This new US$7,816 grant will provide equipment and tools to build wood planter structures, irrigation systems and a new shed for the nursery, where volunteers will cultivate the original seedlings to maturity in new structures and plant another 17,000 native seeds in the vacated airbeds.

Employee sponsor: Erin Rooney | Metairie, LA

Giant Steps has a reputation for providing superior education and therapy for students with autism, successfully improving the quality of daily life for them and their families. An essential part of the students’ sensory, social, emotional and physical development is recreational play. This US$30,000 grant will provide commercial grade, scale-proof fence with locked gates for the playground renovation project, improving students’ safety and encouraging independence.

Employee sponsor: Richard Esposito | Rosemont, IL

Girls Inc. provides STEM programs for 700 Omaha girls, many of whom face challenges related to racial and religious discrimination, learning disabilities, language barriers, foster care or immigration. This US$15,000 grant will upgrade the North Omaha center’s classrooms and computer lab into age-appropriate makerspaces with building tables and equipment, including 3D printers, iPads, coding kits and STEM building blocks. Aligning with Girls Inc.’s mission to empower girls through STEM and equip them to overcome barriers, makerspaces allow freedom to explore, inspire creativity, encourage taking risks and help reframe failure as a constructive part of learning.

HDR Sponsor: Ann Williams | Omaha, NE

This US$30,000 grant to Hot Shops Art Foundation will support the purchase and installation of an ADA-accessible passenger elevator in the art center’s historic four-floor warehouse, expanding their impact and advancing arts accessibility equity in the Omaha community. Currently limited to staircase access, the one-stop artistic hub hosts field trips for most of the regional school districts with an estimated 55,000 visitors per year. With hot studios for ceramics, glass, forge and foundry and Omaha’s largest artist collective, they offer an expansive variety of low-cost educational classes, hands-on workshops, exhibitions and events with a free open-door policy.

Employee Sponsor: Douglas Bisson | Omaha, NE

North Carolina, a national agricultural powerhouse, has the tenth hungriest population in the U.S. Inter-Faith Food Shuttle works at the intersection of this paradox by providing 60,000 people per month with recovered, redistributed food and 74,000 pounds of fresh harvested produce annually. This US$23,514 will improve their farming efficiency and effectiveness by purchasing a control system with sensors for monitoring and recording environmental conditions in the Food Shuttle’s field and green house, freeing volunteers for more critical tasks that translate to more robust and healthy crops with higher production.

Employee Sponsor: Kaitlin Helms | Raleigh, NC

This US$26,668 grant to International WeLoveU Foundation will convert a classroom at University High School in Newark, New Jersey, into a multipurpose space with a calming, comfortable environment for counseling sessions and emotional regulation, providing space for an additional school counsellor. HDR volunteers will support the design and layout of the room alongside staff from WeLoveU, a global nonprofit that brings together a global village through volunteer activities, including welfare work involving health, education and community well-being. The School Calming Room will benefit youth experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, trauma and behavioral disorders, increasing school attendance by improving mental health.

Employee Sponsor: Sophia Lahlou | Woodcliff Lake, NJ

As the newest MetroSquash branch in North Chicago grows, insufficient vehicle resources have forced decisions between transporting students from school and providing enrichment opportunities such as squash tournaments, college visits, career fairs and community service. This US$30,000 grant will go towards buying a Ford Transit350 XLT van for the Evanston campus, improving equity and inclusion, ensuring safety, and expanding firsthand experiences for students. Thanks to their year-round holistic, layered programming, teens grow athletically, academically, emotionally and professionally to become thriving adults, with 100% of MetroSquash students graduating high school and a college graduation rate nearly five times that of the greater Chicago Public Schools District.

Employee Sponsor: Janet Gonzalez | Madison, WI

This US$19,350 grant will help the Omaha Astronomical Society implement the nationwide Library Telescope Program at 50 libraries in small towns throughout Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. The grant will pay for library telescope that patrons can check out and help upgrade equipment to expand outreach programming, such as viewing events. Using electronically assisted astronomy, real-time processed images from telescopes can be displayed on screens to entire groups in the light-polluted library parking lots, and daytime programming for children can become available.

Employee Sponsor: Carmen Modrcin | Omaha, NE

During the 2022-2023 academic year, the Pooler Lions Club served the Savannah coastal region by performing 12,221 vision screenings at 55 schools and daycares, referring 2,394 students for professional vision care. When students don’t have insurance coverage for their care, the Lions provide a voucher for their vision exam and eyeglasses. This US$9,179 grant will purchase a second Welch Allyn Vision Screener to support growth to three new school districts.

Employee Sponsor: Theresa Miller | Savannah, GA

The Ronald McDonald House of Tulsa hosts 750 hospitalized children, their parents and siblings annually, providing a home environment next door to the hospital for families experiencing major health crises. With this US$8,064 grant, Project Pinball will purchase a pinball machine for the Ronald McDonald House and modify it for wheelchair accessibility. Project Pinball installs pinball machines in children’s hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses nationwide, helping make hospitals less scary for children and providing worry-free, therapeutic relief for families.

Employee Sponsor: Christian Wood | Tulsa, OK

Illiteracy at a young age has life-long consequences for health, employment opportunities and quality of life, so Reading Allowed approaches reading as a social justice issue. With Philadelphia’s only individualized, one-on-one instruction literacy tutoring, the organization has helped over 270 low-income students since 2019. Following a 2022 HDR Foundation grant for Francis Skott Key School, this US$17,999 grant will purchase “Fundations Classroom” sets, Wilson Reading System supplies and loaner laptops for at-home instruction to provide Reading Allowed services for the General Meade Elementary grades kindergarten through second, as well as individual students in the area who do not have access to the tutoring they need.

Employee sponsor: Josh Marks | New York, NY

Sail Sand Point works to expand sailing and boating for underserved Seattle communities through community partnerships and a variety of programming. Despite being surrounded by water, most Seattleites do not partake in water recreation opportunities outside of the exclusive local yacht clubs. This US$8,695 fund will purchase a Hobie Wave sailboat and gear for beginner youth and adults to learn to sail. An ideal vessel for sailors’ first independent voyage, this boat can also be modified to accommodate Sail Sand Point’s partners with physical disabilities.

Employee Sponsor: Hannah Baumbach | Seattle, WA

Working with 15 horses, Special C.H.E.E.R.S. provides 36,000 occupational therapy sessions annually in the Houston-metro area to individuals with physical, emotional and developmental challenges. This US$5,000 grant will purchase safety gear and equine tack for their specialized programming that uses a multifaceted approach to help youth with disabilities achieve functional living skills, providing the only local programming of this kind. This grant builds upon two previous HDR Foundation grants supporting the organization.

Employee sponsor: Jeremy Blevins | Houston, TX

Green Garden Bakery is a 100% youth-founded and run business in Minneapolis’ Heritage Park, with support from the community planning nonprofit Urban Strategies. The award-winning social enterprise pop-up bakes vegetable desserts with produce from their community garden, markets with sustainable practices and packaging, and gives one third of their proceeds to community charities. This US$23,500 grant will build an indoor and outdoor community bakery space to help the bakery reach its goals and foster community, while also providing training in entrepreneurship, environmental education, marketing and design, customer service, urban agriculture and culinary.

Employee Sponsor: Kelly Newbauer | St. Louis Park, MN

Between Friends will use a $8,279 grant for a new nature play park and sensory shed to promote inclusive recreational opportunities for children of all abilities. Immersing children in play in a controlled environment will promote physical development, problem-solving skills and confidence. Children who become overwhelmed or overstimulated by outdoor play can recharge and regulate their sensory experiences in the sensory shed before returning to the park.

Employee sponsor: Diego Ruiz | Calgary, AB 

The Neil Squire Society empowers Canadians with disabilities through adaptive technology and resources. Interactive toys that are adapted for children with disabilities are expensive and, therefore, inaccessible for many families and child development centres. This $10,000 grant will provide equipment and tools for volunteers with the Makers Making Change program to modify 750 toys and build 1,250 assistive switches and joysticks.

Employee sponsor: Jake Bellerose | Toronto, ON 

This $5,500 grant to Philpott Children’s Tennis will provide an office space for youth-led training, learning and jobs at a new indoor tennis facility. Philpott’s programs strive to reduce inner-city children’s barriers to playing tennis by providing free programming with flexible hours and free equipment at 16 locations in Toronto. Honouring the belief that tennis can teach youth discipline, cooperation, physical fitness and confidence, this new facility will be Canada’s first entirely youth-run and operated tennis centre.

Rocky Mountain Adaptive provides individuals with disabilities dozens of mountain sport and recreation opportunities. Following a successful 2022 HDR Canada Fund grant for adaptive kayak equipment, this $16,612 grant will purchase three adaptive bikes for the sports centre’s leisure bike program. This program has seen enormous growth in interest from participants who live with neurodiversity, with the new bikes expected to benefit 400 participants.

Employee sponsor: Michelle Parratt | Calgary, AB 

Routes Connecting Communities began as a service to provide transportation to people in the York Region with financial, physical or mental challenges nearly 25 years ago. Their services have expanded to include friendly phone calls, food deliveries, referrals to community programs, opportunities for social engagement, technology support and banking assistance, helping 18,400 residents annually who experience isolation, mental health challenges and poverty. This $8,500 grant will fund the creation of 1,000 “brain game” booklets for senior residents, creating social connections and positive mental health experiences.

Employee sponsor: Kristina Bergeron | Richmond Hill, ON 

A £2,500 grant to Ayshire East Foodbank will help provide a three-day food supply to community members experiencing emergency situations.

A £1,500 grant to the Apsley Community Food Bank at St. Mary’s Church will provide non-perishable goods and refreshments for anyone (of any creed or none) seeking food.

A £2,500 grant to Croydon Nightwatch will provide food and supplies for people experiencing homelessness in Croydon.

A £2,500 grant to the Lewisham Local We Care Foodbank will supply food to the referral-based food pantry, which is open to anyone with low income.

A £1,500 grant to the Southwark Foodbank will provide emergency food supplies for local people in crisis.

This AU$5,000 grant for the Head and Neck Cancer Clinics at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse Hospital will go towards research. By learning more about DNA variations that indicate oral cancer susceptibility and resistance to chemotherapy drugs, doctors will be able to select drugs to target specific mutations within an individual’s cancer, giving them the best possible chance of effective treatment. Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, a comprehensive cancer centre, specializes in rare and complex cancers and provides integrative care that increases the chances of patient survival and improves their quality of life.

RUN DIPG funds research and provides resources for families affected by DIPG (diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma), the deadliest form of childhood cancer. With a median life expectancy of nine to 11 months post-diagnosis, there is currently no cure, and the only treatment option available is palliative radiotherapy. This AU$5,000 grant to RUN DIPG will contribute toward innovative therapy development, research and education in their mission to improve outcomes for patients and families.

Employee sponsor: Shayne Blazley | Sydney, NSW

Through desexing programs, medical care, rehabilitation, rehoming and community education, Kitty Rescue Squad works to reduce the overpopulation of stray cats in Melbourne. Founded in October 2021 by a group of Latin American women, the organization has since taken in 332 stray cats and found new homes for over 80% of them. With this AU$2,000 grant, six new foster carers will have the expenses covered to onboard and take in cats for Kitty Rescue Squad.

Employee sponsor: Katherine Riano | Melbourne, VIC

An AU$2,000 grant will go towards the Vedanta Centre’s volunteer-run soup kitchen to provide 500 free meals to people experiencing poverty in the Springfield Lakes area.

Employee sponsor: Jyotiba Patil | Brisbane, QLD

An AU$2,000 grant will support OzHarvest, a leading food rescue organization on a mission to “Nourish our Country” by stopping good food from going to waste and delivering it to charities that help feed people in need. 

Employee sponsor: Cate Cowlishaw | Sydney, NSW

An AU$2,000 grant will support SecondBite’s mission to redirect food destined for waste to community organizations that help reduce food insecurity and hunger.

Employee sponsor: Nicole Tan | Melbourne, VIC

The Colorado Association of Black Professional Engineers and Scientists encourages underrepresented students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers through after-school and summer programs for minority elementary, middle and high school students. This US$30,000 grant will provide computers, equipment and supplies for their classes. Over 250 students will benefit from these resources in their robotics, drones, construction, engineering, computer science and architecture programs, as well as math tutoring and SAT/ACT college preparation classes.

Employee sponsor: Juan Guzman | Denver, CO

As part of its mission to improve water equity worldwide, Drink Local. Drink Tap. built a borehole at Irimba Primary School in the dry cattle corridor of Nakasongola, Uganda, in 2016. This well provides water for all 4,000 residents of Irimba and two other villages, where they wait in line for 14 hours to fill a single 20-liter container. To build upon that project and meet a critical need for better water access, Drink Local. Drink Tap. will use this US$26,050 grant to build a solar-powered piped water system in this community consisting of tap stands and a water tower to supply the borehole.

Employee sponsor: Adam Arnold | Cleveland, OH

Minds Matter Cleveland is a three-year mentoring and academic program that connects driven high school students from low-income families to the opportunities and resources they need for successful college careers. The Cleveland branch will use this US$16,301 grant to purchase laptops and internet hotspots to implement a Learning Management System. The LMS will allow for curriculum mapping, integrated communication, student and family engagement, and outcome metrics to develop program strategies.

Employee sponsor: Mae Thompson | Cleveland, OH

Youth in Red Hook, a low-income coastal community with known hazardous waste pollution, have worked with the Resilience, Education, Training and Innovation Center for two years to test floating “BlueBlock” sustainable gardens on their coastline. Inspired by lily pads, these artificial marshlands improve air and water quality, increase marine life habitats, and act as breakwaters to protect shorelines. This US$30,000 grant will fund the next phase of this project, which will replace the wooden gardens with biophilic concrete frames. The RETI Center, born out of Superstorm Sandy, works to help New York coastal communities adapt to the changing climate with environmental justice, social responsibility and innovative design.

Employee sponsor: Julie Stein | New York, NY

River Keepers has worked with historians and a local designer to develop an interpretive walking trail along the Red River that will be used by 100,000 locals and tourists in Fargo-Moorhead. This US$15,100 grant will be used to install educational signs about the river’s natural and historical history, as well as stories and poems about its connection to the community. River Keepers advocates for safe and sustainable use of the Red River by coordinating conservation, recreation, riparian restoration and water quality efforts.

Employee sponsor: Brian King | Fargo, ND

The 13-square-mile Shoal Creek watershed suffers from uncontrolled, polluted stormwater runoff and is home to a rapidly growing population of 72,000. Established from grassroots endeavors in 2013, the Shoal Creek Conservancy fosters community health and vibrancy by restoring fishable, swimmable waters, empowering community stewards, and spearheading safety and accessibility improvements. This US$15,500 grant will fund 30,000 square feet of riparian vegetative buffers along the creek to help filter pollutants and curb streambank erosion. In addition, HDR will host 20 employee engagement volunteer days to remove up to four tons of trash from the watershed.

This US$30,000 grant will place book vending machines at three public elementary schools in Kansas City, providing 5,000 students with books that feature intersecting identities and diverse representation. Turn the Page KC mobilizes the community to ensure that children gain the literacy skills they need to succeed. Their goal is to transition students from “learning to read” to “reading to learn” through achieving grade-level reading skills by the end of 3^rd grade.

Employee sponsor: Jessica Adams-Weber | Kansas City, MO

The U.S. Green Building Council is an independent non-profit that bridges the gap between social equity and environmental resiliency. Funded by this $23,000 grant to USGBC-LA, the Watts Survivors Healing Garden will be a restorative gathering space for survivors of violent crime and will incorporate community-focused programming. The park will include the essential cooling shade of tree canopies and solar sails, bringing walkable amenities to a neighbourhood that has historically experienced high levels of divestment, redlining and suppression policies.

Employee sponsor: Kate Diamond | Los Angeles, CA

Wonder Girls is a rapidly growing after-school program that cultivates confidence, leadership, community spirit, and business skills in middle and high school girls. The women-led workshops are customized to each school’s needs and demographics in order to effectively address their students’ current challenges. This US$13,045 grant will increase accessibility to this opportunity for 500 girls by supplying the program with updated tablets and computers.

Employee sponsor: Amie Lenkowiec | White Plains, NY

Following our annual employee Day of Giving, the HDR Foundation and our global philanthropic funds awarded more than $338,000 in grants to food banks in our employees' communities. Eighty-five local food banks received grants in recognition of employees in HDR offices who met a special fundraising challenge.