14 May
2025
Union Pacific Foundation
Grant Amount: Maximum Grant Amount: $30,000
Information
The Union Pacific Foundation helps organizations build their capacity, increase their impact and operate more efficiently and effectively. Applications to the Community Based grant program will be accepted beginning April 1.
The Foundation will be particularly receptive to proposals that fall within the following categories:
Safety
Funding for programs that seek to:
- Encourage safe behaviors and prevent accidents through education and awareness, particularly projects which focus on rail, driver, bike, and pedestrian safety.
- Eliminate risks and improve safe access to community spaces through infrastructure improvements, for instance signage, proper lighting, and public trail improvements.
- Prepare and equip citizens and emergency responders* to effectively respond to incidents and emergencies if or when they occur.
- Prevent crime and incidents of violence through efforts that address the root causes of these issues and seek to mitigate their occurrence.
- Provide homeless and at-risk populations access to safe shelter and services that ameliorate and prevent homelessness.
- Build the capacity of safety-focused organizations to integrate DEI best practices internally and/or within their community programs.
Workforce Development
Funding for programs that seek to:
- Put youth on the right track by creating awareness of family-supporting jobs like those Union Pacific offers, and building foundational skills, especially in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) as well as necessary technical and life skills, to begin a trajectory toward these careers.
- Raise awareness of, educate and prepare young adults for middle skills jobs like those Union Pacific offers, for instance through community colleges, vocational and career training programs, workforce readiness initiatives, and programs that assist with job placement and/or on-the-job experience. Programs that develop proficiency in areas of relevance to Union Pacific operations such as welding, electrical work, machine operations, and civil and electrical engineering are given priority.
- “Up-skill” the existing workforce by providing training and resources that enable them to reach the next level of their career. Programs that develop proficiency in areas of relevance to Union Pacific operations are given priority.
- Build the capacity of workforce development-focused organizations to integrate DEI best practices internally and/or within their community programs.
Programs with a focus on cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce through the intentional support of women and BIPOC individuals in particular, as well as those with a focus on rural communities, will be given special consideration.
Community Vitality
Funding for programs and projects that achieve the following objectives:
- Create, sustain or expand upon artistic and cultural experiences offered to a broad and diverse audience (e.g., museums, theatres, libraries, concerts, lectures, etc.).
- Preserve and share the unique history of the local community, including projects related to train and/or Union Pacific history.
- Provide clean, safe, and positive outdoor recreational and/or educational opportunities that foster an appreciation for our natural environment.
- Beautify neighborhoods and main street areas in order to improve livability, promote commerce, and ultimately attract more residents, businesses, and visitors to town.
- Plan for, create or enhance unique spaces that reflect the character of a place and take into account community members’ diverse needs and desires.
- Build the capacity of community spaces-focused organizations to integrate DEI best practices internally and/or within their community programs.