OVERVIEW: Xerox funds community development, science education and research, and disaster relief through its various grants programs. A lot of its support comes from its employee incentive and matching programs.
IP TAKE: Grantmaking through the Xerox Foundation has decreased dramatically of late. Indeed, much of the company’s recent support is initiated by employees through the incentive programs. This is the best way for nonprofits to get on the company’s radar. Employee engagement is crucial here, so network with employees as it’s not possible to approach the Foundation. Highly collaborative, Xerox prefers to create partnerships, including opportunities for its own employees to participate in local nonprofits.
Xerox does not impose geographic restrictions on its grantmaking. However, it prefers to fund a handful of organizations a year that are large and established, which means this limited grant space is competitive.
PROFILE: Xerox, the office technology company founded in 1906, operates under the belief that “a successful corporation must be an active participant in society.” While grantmaking through its formal foundation has slowed recently, the company continues to support various causes through its broad Xerox Philanthropy initiative. Xerox’s giving is fairly wide-ranging in scope, and prioritizes four funding areas: Strong Vibrant Communities, Education and Workforce Preparedness, Science and Technology, and Disaster Relief.
Grants for Housing and Homelessness, Community Development
Xerox supports community development efforts through its Strong Vibrant Communities funding area. Much of Xerox’s grantmaking in this space is tied to its employee volunteer program, Xerox Community Involvement Program (XCIP), which provides paid time off for employees to volunteer for registered nonprofits. Xerox supports communities where its employees and clients live and work. Past grantees include Save the Children Federation, Association of India’s Development (AID-India), Feathered Friends Forever, Xerox For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, and Graffiti HeArt.
Grants for STEM Education and Economic Development
Xerox takes a broad view of education support. It’s funding in this area works to “create opportunities for young people to pursue college degrees and, ultimately, careers in STEM.” Grants support “colleges, universities, STEM education programs, and workforce development programs that prepare the next generation of leaders, inventors and scientists.” Past science education grantees include the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, the United Negro College Fund, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, the University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, New York Hall of Science; and Polytechnic Institute of New York University.
Grants for Science Research
Xerox makes grants through its Science and Technology area to support science research. Many of its grantees in this space are academic organizations, which the company views as crucial for furthering scientific research and training the next generation of scientists; “Xerox partners with universities worldwide to collaborate, innovate and ideate—all in an effort to quickly bring to market thoughtful and sustainable technology for clients.” Past grantees include Cornell University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Helsinki, Carnegie Mellon University, and Purdue University.
Grants for Humanitarian and Disaster Relief
The company supports humanitarian and disaster relief and recovery efforts through its Disaster Relief program, which “provides aid to our employees and their neighbors in crises during natural disasters.” Its primary partner in this area is the American Red Cross, “for its efforts to respond quickly and effectively to U.S.-based natural disasters.” In 2019, Xerox supported efforts to provide “emergency supplies including food, clean water, and cots and blankets for evacuation centers and at-risk communities throughout the U.S. and the Bahamas” in response to Hurricane Dorian.
Important Grant Details:
As evident from past grantees, the foundation appreciates working with universities and research institutions. It does not accept unsolicited proposals or requests for funding, and does not provide grantseekers with a clear way to get in touch.
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