Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program

Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program is a US private foundation based in Omaha, NE.

Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.

Priority Areas

The Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program funds high-quality nonprofit organisations in the cities and towns where Union Pacific operates, seeking safe, prosperous and inclusive communities. Its Local Grants focus on safety, workforce development, community vitality and environmental sustainability. Priorities include safety education and emergency preparedness; pathways to employment for young people and adults, career preparation and removal of barriers to work; artistic and cultural experiences, recreation, neighbourhood renewal, basic needs and youth development; and nature conservation, environmental quality, waste reduction and environmental justice. Local Grant recipients must be qualifying 501(c)(3) public charities. The programme favours projects with a clear fit to its cause areas, demonstrated need and delivery capacity, broad social benefit and a commitment to inclusion.

Themes

• Safety
• Workforce development
• Community vitality
• Environmental sustainability

Geographic Focus

U.S.

What They Don't Fund

• Local Grants only: governmental entities (municipal governments, city departments, etc.) without a 501(c)(3) public charity designation from the IRS; private foundations or a disqualified supporting organization with the meaning of section 4966(d)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code; Elementary and secondary schools directly; Programs and projects that do not fit within the Community Ties Giving Program's funding priorities; Requests for general operating support; Event sponsorships, fundraising events and campaigns (e.g., conferences/seminars, galas, golf tournaments, annual awards ceremonies, raffles, telethons, walk-a-thons, auctions, endowments, memorial campaigns, parades, etc.); Social, labor, alumni and fraternal organizations (e.g., higher education alumni groups, sororities, fraternities, workers' unions, exclusive membership clubs limited to a specific constituency, etc.); Professional and amateur sports events, organizations, and teams (e.g., Little Leagues); Political organizations and organizations whose dominant purpose is to influence legislation or participate/intervene in political campaigns on behalf of or against any candidate for public office; Organizations that channel Local Grant funding to third parties; local United Way chapters are the only exception to this restriction; Organizations requiring a fiscal sponsor because they do not have their own 501(c)(3) status; Organizations that discriminate based on a person's race, ethnicity, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, religion, past or present military service, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, pregnancy, political affiliation, marital or familial status; Terrorist organizations or those not compliant with the USA Patriot Act; Non US-based charities or organizations whose program activities are mainly international; Individuals; Fellowships or research; Projects that include proposed changes or improvements to Union Pacific Railroad-owned property; Requests for railroad equipment; Organizations having received three consecutive years of Community Ties Local Grants*; Organizations not current with UP agreement obligations, such as real estate leases

For Local Grants, applicants complete an eligibility questionnaire first; those deemed eligible may continue to the full grant application. Applications are handled through an annual competitive online process.

Deadlines: The programme follows an annual online application process.

• Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 60% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
• Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 1,590 grants to organisations were $10,000 or less.

What the foundation says:

• Successful applications align clearly with a cause area and its related objectives.
• Applicants demonstrate need for the programme or project.
• Applicants demonstrate their capacity to deliver quality programming and meet established goals.
• Successful projects offer potential for positive social benefit across broad and diverse populations.
• Applicants demonstrate commitment to inclusion in their organisation or programmes.