Grants
Western Digital partners with nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) around the world to support programs in STEM education, hunger relief, and the environment. Through a competitive grant process, we fund organizations aligned with our philanthropic focus areas serving the communities in which we operate. Please review our two programs below, one for U.S. based organizations and another for organizations based outside of the U.S.
U.S. Community Grants
Western Digital considers applications from nonprofit organizations and public schools offering programs or services in alignment with our philanthropic focus areas.
- STEM Education: Organizations providing opportunities for underrepresented and/or underserved K-12 youth
- Hunger Relief: Innovative programs focused on alleviating hunger in our local communities
- Environment: Work in environmental preservation and/or conservation, and the public education of such issues
The geographical locations we currently fund in the U.S. include:
- Greater Bay Area, CA (Alameda, Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz counties)
- Orange County, CA
- Boulder County, CO
- El Paso County, CO
- Olmsted County, MN
Proposals are reviewed by Western Digital employee grant committees twice a year. Our U.S. community grant awards generally range between $7,500 - $20,000.
To best honor our commitment to the communities we serve during the COVID-19 pandemic, Western Digital has revised our grant program to an invite only basis. Nonprofit organizations and public schools offering programs aligned with our focus areas will receive an invitation from Western Digital to apply for funding through a competitive application process a week before the grant application opens. Prior to applying, we ask all requestors to review our Global Giving Guidelines for complete details on our giving policies.
We offer two application periods each year; organizations seeking funding may apply once in any 12-month period. Community grant awards are limited to one per organization, per year. Organizations receiving three consecutive years of funding will be required to cycle out for one year before applying for additional funding.
Grant Application Acceptance Dates
Round 1: December 1 -January 15
Round 2: June 1 – July 15
For nonprofits that have been invited to submit a proposal, your unique application link will be available through an email invitation.
Global Community Grants
Western Digital considers applications for grants to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) whose programs align with our philanthropic focus areas:
- STEM Education: Organizations providing opportunities for underrepresented and/or underserved K-12 youth
- Hunger Relief: Innovative programs focused on alleviating hunger in our local communities
- Environment: Work in environmental preservation and conservation, and the public education of such issues
We currently consider grant requests from the following countries outside of the U.S.:
- India
- Israel
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Philippines
- Thailand
This program offers the opportunity for qualifying organizations to apply for funding from Western Digital via a competitive application process. Priority consideration is given to organizations offering programs/services in proximity to Western Digital offices and facilities.
Prior to beginning the application process, please review our Global Giving Guidelines for complete details on our giving policies. In addition to our guidelines, applicants must be able to exhibit tax-exempt status equivalent to U.S. IRS 501c3 status.
The Global Grant application process begins with a Letter of Inquiry. Western Digital will consider inquiries from NGOs that meet all our guidelines, including alignment with our philanthropic focus areas and geographic restrictions. Letters of Inquiry should be submitted in English and include:
- Name of the requesting organization
- Full contact information for the primary contact of the organization
- Brief description of the organization requesting funding
- Name of the program or project for which you are seeking funding
- Country in which the program or project will take place
- Brief description of the program or project
- Anticipated amount of funding that would be requested
Please send all Letters of Inquiry to GlobalGivingandDoing@wdc.com. Letters are accepted on a rolling quarterly basis. If your inquiry is approved for further consideration, you will be notified and provided an invitation to complete a full grant application.
Questions?
For additional information please contact GlobalGivingandDoing@wdc.com
Our Partners
Western Digital partners with Benevity to process our grant applications and to power our employee volunteer and giving programs around the world. If you are interested in seeking support from Western Digital, we highly recommend registering your organization with Benevity to help streamline our consideration of your partnership.
