The Graco Foundation
The Graco Foundation page on Graco Inc.'s corporate site describes the foundation's mission to support local nonprofits (especially near Graco facilities) with grants focused on capital projects, STEM education, workforce and youth development, and scholarships. The page lists 2024 awarded grants and program details and states that grant requests are accepted by invitation only. Contact information including an address and the email [email protected] is provided.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Mid-sized to large nonprofits (often in Minnesota) focused on STEM education, workforce development, youth development, capital projects, or scholarship programs; organizations seeking one-time capacity or capital support or managing employee gift-matching programs.
Good Fit
- • Organization is located near a Graco facility or serves communities where Graco employees live.
- • Project is a capital or capacity-building effort, a STEM or workforce program, youth development, or scholarship initiative.
- • Ability to provide standard organizational documents (990, audit, board list) and a clear program budget and evaluation plan.
- • Requests align with the foundation's stated maximums and timing preferences (one-time large grants; not seeking repeat support within two years).
- • Openness to participate in corporate matching or employee engagement programs where relevant.
Geography
Grantmaking is concentrated in Minnesota (about 63% of 2024 dollars) but supports recipients across roughly 10 states in the latest year, indicating a state-focused but not exclusively local footprint.
Recipient Variety
Across the observed years the foundation funded a large and diverse set of recipients (roughly 480–500 distinct recipients in 2022–2023 and 38 distinct recipients in 2024), combining many small matching/dollars-for-doers awards with substantial capacity and scholarship grants.
New Applicants
Observed behavior shows new recipients were added in 2024 (16 new grantees) and the foundation publishes submission requirements, a rolling deadline, and a contact email/address, so unfamiliar applicants plausibly can enter the portfolio.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
