OVERVIEW: Boeing primarily supports education, workforce development, the environment, financial stability, and health. Boeing divides its giving by state, and gives in 20 states total (plus Washington, D.C.). Its global development interests generally revolve around access to quality K-12 education and early learning programs, economic growth and improving access to healthcare. Boeing also funds career transition programs for veterans in select United States regions.
IP TAKE: Because Boeing divides its giving by state, with each state formulating its own specific priorities and parameters, grantseekers must take extra time to carefully review requirements for their state. it will take a bit of extra investigative work to determine whether your conservation program is a fit. Past grantees have suggested that the company’s charitable arm may be difficult to work with.
In addition to grants, funding is available through Boeing’s Employees Community Fund (ECF). Unlike some other corporations that match donations to individual organizations dollar-for-dollar, Boeing allocates employee contributions based on a determination by “employee advisory boards [that] work to locally distribute combined employee donations.” Boeing covers all of the administrative overhead so that all donated dollars go directly to the beneficiary organizations.
PROFILE: The Boeing Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the international aerospace giant Boeing. Boeing supports “innovative partnerships and programs that align with our strategic objectives, create value and help build better communities worldwide” through “purposeful investments, employee engagement and thoughtful advocacy efforts.” Boeing concentrates its philanthropic efforts on increasing economic stability predominately through access to education; however, it names five areas of programmatic focus: education, environment, employee engagement and military and veteran engagement. It also specifies areas of particular global development interest by location, which grantseekers are advised to read closely.
Grants for STEM Education
One of Boeing’s main funding priorities is education. Boeing seeks to “reach early learners in their formative years by supporting efforts to improve early caregivers’ preparation and drive awareness of early education’s importance” and to “provide educators with the tools and leadership skills they need to inspire their students to use creativity, collaboration, persistence and problem-solving to change the world.” Within its education initiative, the company generally divides its grantmaking between early education and primary and secondary education. Specific priorities vary by region.
Boeing particularly emphasizes preparation for STEM careers (not uncommon for a corporation heavily dependent on a strong pipeline of young people going into these careers). This grantmaking funds a combination of professional development for teachers and administrators, as well as curriculum and programmatic support to help student performance in science and math. Boeing also prioritizes hands-on learning programs and science fairs. Like some other corporate education endeavors, Boeing collaborates with leading organizations to develop free online curricula and other educational resources for families, volunteers, and teachers. Partners in this effort include PBS and Above and Beyond.
At the postsecondary level, Boeing partners with universities worldwide through its University Relations program to offer “student-focused programs” such as internships, externships, co-ops, scholarships, and enrichment programs enabling the next generation to “collaborate on innovative products by working alongside thinkers, dreamers, designers and builders” in the field. More information about the University Relations program is available by emailing the team directly.
Grants for Global Development
Boeing tends to award grants in areas of the world in which it has operations. This is a massive, multinational organization that spans Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Central, and former Eastern Europe. Boeing also awards grants in several developed nations. Boeing largely gives to projects that include access to quality K-12 education and early learning programs. It also supports health and human services organizations in developing countries in an effort to encourage economic growth and improve access to healthcare. In addition, the company also seeks to improve economic opportunities in marginalized and underserved populations by awarding grants to organizations that run relevant skills training programs.
It is also worth noting that Boeing’s corporate philanthropy works in conjunction with its employee donations and volunteer efforts. This translates into a vested interest in strengthening and supporting locations around the world in which the company operates.
Grants for Environmental Conservation
Boeing’s environmental giving varies depending on the priorities of local branches. For those seeking support, Boeing offers funding to 20 different states (including Washington, D.C.), which each reflect different grantmaking priorities. For instance, in Washington state, Boeing seeks to “promote environmental stewardship through leadership development.” In Texas, it focuses on “environmental education inside and outside the classroom focused on reducing impact on the environment and conservation.” In Montana, it seeks to “foster individual and collective impact towards protection of all natural resources and the preservation of our lands.” In California it dedicates itself to “programs that support the development and implementation of water conservation.”
In addition to the Boeing Company’s state-by-state giving, applicants can also secure funding through the Employees Community Fund of The Boeing Company, which Boeing employees fund through employee donations. The fund also divides its giving—and giving priorities—by state, and sometimes regions within a state. There are 19 different Community Funds (across 17 different states, plus D.C.), and the website also provides an excellent drop-down menu for these purposes. Not all Community Funds are committed to funding environmental conservation, but many are.
Grants for Veterans, Work and Opportunity
Boeing’s Veterans program area works to help military veterans and their families “develop skills, support recovery and offer rehabilitation programs that focus on PTSD, mental and physical injuries and suicide prevention.” The foundation offers services such as the Military Skills Translator, which helps match “military skills and experience to current job opportunities at Boeing,” USO Pathfinder, a “comprehensive employment readiness program for transitioning service members,” and the Talent Network which connects recruiters to veterans based on their “skills, qualifications, and interests.”
Important Grant Details:
Grants generally range from $50,000 to $500,000, but some donations may be in the millions. Boeing does not provide detailed information about its grant values on its website, but grantseekers may review its Annual Reports or browse by giving region for more information on its grantmaking habits.
The application process and eligibility for Boeing funding varies by state or region, except for higher education grantmaking, which is centralized through the University Relations program. New Grantseekers can find more detailed region specific information in the “Seeking Support” section on Boeing’s Community Engagement page. Additionally, the Directors for Global Corporate Citizenship at Boeing are also local / regional, so grantseekers should contact the company to find the director for their location.
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