Donaldson Foundation
Founded in 1966, the Donaldson Foundation is our main vehicle for charitable giving. Led by a volunteer employee board, the Foundation positively impacts our communities by supporting and investing in education. We grant $1.35 million in funds annually within the communities where our employees live and work. We focus our work on, supporting educational initiatives, partnering with our U.S. facilities to address local education needs, providing scholarships for post-secondary education and providing matching grants to educational institutions.
See our Annual Report
Todd with a group of Recipients
Elmwood School (Wisconsin) received a grant from the Foundation to help replace some of its welding equipment in a school metals lab. Elmwood School (Wisconsin) received a grant from the Foundation to help replace some of its welding equipment in a school metals lab.

Grant Criteria

Programs considered to be grant recipients will have the following qualifications: 

  • Education focused
  • Have a strong connection to Donaldson communities
  • Degree of need for those served
  • Focus on impactful programs over general operating expenses

Grant awards average from $5,000 to $20,000. Grant recipients must qualify for tax exemption by the IRS. The completion of the Minnesota Common Grant Application and proof of tax exemption 501(c)3 status are both required. Each request will be evaluated against the criteria outlined above.

Minnesota Common Grant Application Form

Funding Cycle

More than half of the Foundation’s funding supports organizational grants. Education-focused organizations located in the Bloomington, Minnesota, area (Minneapolis/St. Paul) and in the following U.S. cities where we have a significant presence are eligible for funding:

  • Anderson, Indiana
  • Auburn, Alabama
  • Baldwin, Wisconsin
  • Chesterfield, Missouri
  • Chillicothe, Missouri
  • Cresco, Iowa
  • Dixon, Illinois
  • Durham, North Carolina
  • Feasterville, Pennsylvania
  • Frankfort, Indiana
  • Greeneville, Tennessee
  • Harrisonville, Missouri
  • Ivyland, Pennsylvania
  • Monticello, Indiana
  • Nicholasville, Kentucky
  • Rensselaer, Indiana

The Donaldson Foundation has two funding cycles. Proposals received after the deadline will be included in the subsequent funding cycle.

  Cycle 1 Cycle 2
Proposal Submission Deadline August 1 January 10
Proposal Review Period August 1 - December 31 January 10 - June 30
Funding to Organizations January 31 July 31

 

Contact Information:

To apply, complete the Minnesota Common Grant Application, include your proposal and proof of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, and email all materials to donaldsonfoundation@donaldson.com.

Alternatively, applications may be submitted by mail to:

The Donaldson Foundation
PO Box 1299, MS 100
Minneapolis, MN 55440  

Male University Graduate

Scholarship Program

The Foundation funds a scholarship program for dependent children of U.S. employees. Award amounts range from $4,000 to $6,000 each year of full-time study and may be renewed for up to three additional years. These scholarships have assisted more than 2,400 students since its inception in 1981.

The program is administered by Scholarship America, which establishes the award criteria and has sole authority for selecting award recipients. Scholarships are awarded based on academic record, potential to succeed, leadership, and participation in school and community activities.

Child Pointing at Book

Classroom Challenge

The Donaldson Foundation Classroom Challenge empowers U.S. employees to support their local public-school classrooms through the nonprofit DonorsChoose, providing vouchers to fund teacher‑led projects selected by employees. This employee-driven program directs $120,000 annually to schools, supporting K-12 classroom needs such as books, technology, and STEM materials.