Graco Foundation

As today’s students enter our workforce, they are facing new challenges and opportunities never before imaginable. At Graco, we recognise the contributions of these students and the important role that education plays in their development. The Graco Scholarship Programme gives us an opportunity to invest in the education of employees’ children around the world. Scholarship support in 2019 totalled $113,930.

One-Time Capacity-Building Grants

• Urban Ventures: $100,000
  
• East Side Neighborhood Services: $75,000
• St. Francis House: $80,770
• Avivo: $125,000
• EMERGE: $50,000
• City of Minneapolis (for the future “Graco Park”): $3,027,700

Program Grants

• AchieveMpls STEP-UP Achieve Program: $20,000
• Dunwoody College of Technology Youth Career Awareness Program: $15,000
• FIRST Robotics at Dexter High School in Dexter, Michigan: $7,500
• FIRST Robotics at Edison High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota: $12,500
• Metro Paint-A-Thon: $12,500
• Page Education Foundation: $15,000

In addition, $7,500 was given to 15 high school groups in Minneapolis to celebrate Graco’s Manufacturing Day programme.

Scholarship Grants

• Alexandria Technical College: $10,000
• Anoka Technical College: $10,000
• Dunwoody College of Technology: $10,000
• Gannon University: $10,000
• Lake Area Technical Institute: $10,000
• Minneapolis Community & Technical College: $10,000
• Minnesota Private College Fund: $42,500
• South Dakota School of Mines and Technology: $10,000
• South Dakota State University: $10,000
• St. Paul College: $10,000
• Stark State College Foundation: $10,000
• University of Akron: $10,000
• University of Minnesota - Duluth: $10,000
• University of Minnesota - Twin Cities: $20,000
• University of Sioux Falls: $10,000
• University of St. Thomas: $10,000
• University of Wisconsin – Stout: $10,000
• Washtenaw Community College: $10,000

The Graco Foundation accepts new grant applications by invitation only. No unsolicited grant requests will be accepted.

In order to have the resources to address these focus areas and have a significant impact on grantee organizations, the Foundation has a preference for large one-time capacity building grants rather than operating grants. The maximum commitment per capital campaign is generally $150,000. Additionally, grants within a two-year period are generally not considered.

If the Graco Foundation invites your organization to submit a grant request, please include a cover letter, on organisational letterhead, describing your program and how it fits our focus areas. In addition, each proposal should contain:

• brief description of the organisation's history;
• program objectives;
• clients served;
• budget, including program expenses and revenue sources;
• program evaluation methods and results;
• list of corporate and foundation donors;
• list of the Board of Directors;
• copy of 501(c)(3) or other tax-exempt confirmation;
• copy of most recent IRS form 990; and
• copy of most recent audit.

The Graco Foundation requires all grantees to complete a final project report. Reports must be completed no later than one year after the initial grant payment. Organizations with overdue final reports are ineligible to apply for future funding until the final report is received and approved by Foundation staff.

Final reports should include the following information:

• brief summary of project and an outline of original goals and objectives;
• details of project accomplishments including outcomes, evaluation methods and impact on organisation;
• description of population served through the project - including numbers and demographics;
• explanation of any unanticipated changes and/or problems and how they were resolved; and
• project budget including actual income and expenses (please include original budget and list of additional funders).

The Foundation focus does not allow grants for:

• organisations or causes that do not directly impact Graco communities;
• political campaigns;
• individuals;
• religious organisations for religious purposes;
• fund-raising;
• travel;
• special events, dinners, courtesy advertising;
• fraternal organisations;
• staff or personnel overhead;
• national or local campaigns for disease research;
• first time general operating grants; or
• product donations