Motorola Solutions Foundation

Charity Number: CUSTOM_8EB4ED74

Annual Expenditure: £13.0M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $13 million+ (2023)
  • Success Rate: Estimated 8% (250 grants from ~3,000+ inquiries)
  • Decision Time: 8 months (January inquiry to August notification)
  • Grant Range: Up to $50,000 (£39,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Global (operates in 40+ countries, including UK)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.motorolasolutions.com/en_us/about/motorola-solutions-foundation.html

Grant Application Portal: Available through annual grant cycle page

Note: UK organizations must provide charitable equivalency documentation as the Foundation is US-based (requires 501(c)(3) equivalent status).

Overview

The Motorola Solutions Foundation is the charitable arm of Motorola Solutions, established to support communities where the company operates globally. Over the past decade, the Foundation has donated more than $100 million, focusing on two core strategic areas: first responder programming and technology/engineering education. In 2023 alone, the Foundation awarded over $13 million to more than 4,400 charitable organizations worldwide. The Foundation prioritizes programs that directly engage participants through structured, ongoing programming with multiple touchpoints, with particular emphasis on supporting underrepresented populations including females, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans. Operating in nearly 40 countries, the Foundation partners with organizations that align with its values of accountability, innovation, impact, and inclusion.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Annual Grant Cycle: Up to $50,000 (£39,000) per organization

  • One-year grants (no multi-year funding available)
  • Organizations may reapply annually
  • Maximum one grant per organization per cycle
  • Administrative fees capped at 20% (nonprofits/NGOs) or 15% (schools/universities)
  • Application method: Two-stage process (inquiry form in January, invitation-only full application in April)

Priority Areas

The Foundation has a narrow focus on three specific areas:

1. First Responder Programming

  • Mental wellness and stress management training for first responders
  • Scholarships for families of fallen first responders
  • Safety preparedness programs for schools
  • Leadership development for under-resourced groups
  • Disaster response and emergency preparedness education

2. Technology and Engineering Education

  • Hands-on STEM activities (computer science, coding, robotics)
  • Workforce development and placement programs for under-resourced groups
  • Engineering challenges and competitions
  • STEM scholarships and educational access programs

3. Blended Programs

  • Initiatives combining first responder support with technology/engineering education
  • Programs addressing both public safety and STEM education goals

Geographic Priorities: The Foundation prioritizes programs in communities where Motorola Solutions operates and universities from which the company recruits.

Population Focus: Strong preference for programs impacting underrepresented populations, including females, minorities, people with disabilities, veterans, and other under-resourced groups.

What They Don't Fund

  • Event sponsorships
  • One-time events (preference for ongoing, multi-touchpoint programs)
  • Multi-year grant commitments
  • More than one program per organization per cycle
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) status or charitable equivalency documentation (for international applicants)
  • Programs with administrative fees exceeding 20% (nonprofits) or 15% (schools)
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Governance and Leadership

The Foundation operates as the charitable arm of Motorola Solutions, with a Foundation team responsible for reviewing applications and selecting grant recipients. The Foundation emphasizes alignment with Motorola Solutions' corporate values and strategic priorities.

While specific trustee information is not publicly detailed, the Foundation's approach reflects corporate leadership's commitment to public safety and STEM education, as evidenced by their statement: “The Motorola Solutions Foundation has donated more than $100 million in the last 10 years, prioritizing support for first responders, technology and engineering education and under-resourced groups.”

A scholarship recipient shared: “My goal is to inspire the younger generation by being a symbol of leadership and dedication in our community. This scholarship has allowed me to pursue my dream of becoming a firefighter, alleviating financial stress and allowing me to continue being an active member of my community.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Two-Stage Process:

  • Submit initial inquiry form by late January
  • Brief overview of organization and proposed program
  • Foundation team reviews for alignment with priorities
  • Only organizations selected from inquiry stage are invited
  • Detailed application submitted in early April
  • Must align closely with first responder or STEM education focus

International Applicants (including UK organizations):

  • Must provide completed charitable equivalency forms
  • Documentation must demonstrate 501(c)(3) equivalent charitable status
  • Forms required before application can proceed

Application Portal: Available through Motorola Solutions Foundation website during open cycles

Informational Calls: The Foundation hosts informational calls in early December to explain the grant program, funding priorities, and key deadlines.

Decision Timeline

Full Cycle: Approximately 8 months

  • Late January: Inquiry form deadline
  • February-March: Inquiry review period
  • Early April: Invitations sent; full applications due
  • April-July: Full application review period
  • Late August: Grant award notifications

Success Rates

Estimated Success Rate: ~8%

  • Foundation supports approximately 250 organizations annually through the grant program
  • With the two-stage process, significantly more organizations submit inquiries than receive funding
  • In 2023, the Foundation supported 4,400+ charitable organizations globally (includes grants, employee matching, and other programs)

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication Permitted: Organizations may apply year after year

  • No waiting period between applications
  • Previous grant recipients may reapply
  • Returning grantees may request more than $50,000, though standard maximum is $50,000
  • However, the Foundation “will likely fund just one program per organization” per cycle

Application Success Factors

Foundation Guidance

Priorities for Selection:

  • Programs in communities where Motorola Solutions operates
  • Universities from which Motorola Solutions recruits
  • Initiatives with “structured ongoing programming over multiple touchpoints”
  • Direct participant engagement (not passive programs)
  • Organizations aligned with Foundation values: accountability, innovation, impact, and inclusion

Program Structure:

The Foundation explicitly states it “prioritizes initiatives that directly engage participants in structured ongoing programming over multiple touchpoints, rather than a one-time event.”

Examples of Funded UK Organizations

University College London (UCL) - Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction

  • 2019: Program teaching physical vulnerability assessment of school buildings against earthquakes, floods, and typhoons
  • 2018: Training university students to develop mobile application supporting teachers and students in rural Philippines during natural disasters
  • Multiple years of scholarship support for MSc Risk, Disaster and Resilience program

Greenpower Education Trust

  • Grant to part-fund electric vehicle racing kit cars for new teams
  • Supports hands-on engineering education through competitive challenges
  • Engages young people in STEM through practical engineering projects

Language and Terminology

The Foundation consistently uses:

  • “First responder programming” (not “emergency services support”)
  • “Technology and engineering education” (not just “STEM”)
  • “Under-resourced groups” and “underrepresented populations”
  • “Structured ongoing programming” and “multiple touchpoints”
  • “Direct participant engagement”

Standing Out

  1. Demonstrate ongoing engagement: Show how your program involves multiple interactions over time, not one-off events
  2. Emphasize underrepresented populations: Clearly articulate how your program reaches females, minorities, veterans, or people with disabilities
  3. Connect to Motorola Solutions communities: If operating in areas where Motorola Solutions has operations or recruits, highlight this connection
  4. Show measurable impact: Foundation values accountability - include clear metrics and outcomes
  5. Bridge both focus areas: If possible, demonstrate how your program combines first responder support with STEM education
  6. Prepare equivalency documentation early: UK organizations should have charitable equivalency forms ready before the application cycle opens

Multiple Applications

“An organization can submit multiple applications. However, the Foundation will likely fund just one program per organization.” Consider submitting your strongest, most aligned program rather than multiple proposals.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Narrow focus is real: With only two core areas (first responders and STEM education), ensure your program clearly fits one or both categories before applying
  • Two-stage process is highly selective: The inquiry form is a critical screening tool; make your alignment crystal clear at this stage
  • Long timeline requires planning: Eight months from inquiry to award notification means planning well in advance
  • Geographic connection matters: Proximity to Motorola Solutions operations or recruitment universities increases competitiveness
  • Ongoing programming beats one-off events: Structure your proposal around sustained engagement, not single events
  • Underrepresented populations are priority: Programs serving diverse, under-resourced populations have stronger alignment
  • Equivalency documentation is non-negotiable: UK organizations must have completed forms ready; start this process early as it can be time-consuming

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References