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ADP Foundation

Annual Giving
$15.5M
Grant Range
$10K - $1.0M

ADP Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $15.5 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (invitation-only process)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $1,000,000+
  • Average Grant Size: $83,018 (historical)
  • Total Grants (2023): 123 awards
  • Geographic Focus: National (U.S.), with emphasis on Tri-State area (NY, NJ, CT)
  • Application Method: Invitation-only/No public application process

Contact Details

ADP Foundation 1 ADP Boulevard, MS433 Roseland, NJ 07068-1728

Phone: 973-974-3017 or 973-974-5000

Website: Information available through ADP's corporate social responsibility pages at www.adp.com

Note: The ADP Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications and does not provide a public grant application form.

Overview

The ADP Foundation was established in 1978 as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization and serves as the grantmaking arm of ADP, Inc., the global human capital management and payroll services company. With $15.5 million in grants distributed in 2023 across 123 awards, the foundation supports communities where ADP's employees live and work. The foundation's approach is primarily associate-driven, meaning much of their giving is centered on local commitments identified by ADP employees rather than through open solicitation.

The foundation has demonstrated consistent growth in its grantmaking, with reported giving of $45.1 million in 2022 representing a 28.1% increase over 2021. Maria Black, President and CEO of ADP, serves as chair and trustee of the ADP Foundation. The foundation has achieved tax-exempt status since August 1984.

Over a six-year historical period, the foundation has awarded 633 grants with an average check size of $83,018, demonstrating sustained commitment to nonprofit partners. Recent high-profile partnerships include a $1 million founding partnership with Liberty Science Center's SciTech Scity innovation campus in Jersey City, announced in January 2023.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The ADP Foundation operates through an invitation-only grantmaking model rather than structured public grant programs. Their funding approach includes:

  • Strategic Partnership Grants: Large-scale commitments to major initiatives (e.g., $1 million to Liberty Science Center's SciTech Scity)
  • Employee-Driven Community Grants: Grants supporting communities where ADP associates live and work
  • Employee Matching Gifts: ADP matches associate contributions up to $3,000 per year (minimum $50 contribution)
  • ADP Cares Fund: Internal program providing emergency assistance to ADP associates facing financial hardship from disasters or emergencies

Priority Areas

Based on historical grantmaking patterns and stated priorities:

Primary Focus Areas:

  • Education: 67% of funding concentrated in education sector, with emphasis on STEM education, workforce development, and employability
  • Community Benefit: Supporting local community organizations in areas where ADP operates
  • Environment: Environmental initiatives and sustainability projects
  • Disaster Relief: Emergency response and recovery efforts

Most Frequently Funded Sector: Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Foundations (346 grants out of 633 historical grants)

Geographic Distribution: The foundation most frequently awards grants in:

  • New Jersey (97 grants) - headquarters state
  • New York (81 grants)
  • Georgia (28 grants)
  • California (28 grants)
  • District of Columbia (20 grants)
  • Illinois (16 grants)
  • Texas (14 grants)
  • Florida (12 grants)

Strategic Partners: ADP has publicly supported partnerships with national organizations including:

  • Habitat for Humanity International
  • Junior Achievement® Worldwide
  • Rise Against Hunger®
  • Dress for Success®
  • Girls Inc.®
  • Liberty Science Center

What They Don't Fund

Based on ADP's matching gift program exclusions (which likely align with foundation policies):

  • Fraternal organizations
  • Social clubs
  • Religious institutions (for religious purposes)
  • Political organizations or campaigns
  • Pre-K, primary, secondary, and charter schools (excluded from matching gifts)

Governance and Leadership

Chair and Trustee: Maria Black - President and CEO of ADP (appointed 2023), serves as chair and trustee of the ADP Foundation

Key Leadership: Bob Lockett - Chief Diversity & Talent Officer at ADP, oversees the ADP Foundation along with diversity, corporate social responsibility, and talent strategy. Lockett also serves on the Liberty Science Center Board of Trustees.

Bob Lockett on ADP Foundation's Mission: "ADP recognizes its responsibility to give back to and generate a lasting, positive impact upon the communities in which we work and live. These communities are being challenged in new ways as the world continues to evolve, demanding innovative solutions for navigating forward. The ADP Foundation is proud to support [initiatives] in our continued commitment to positively impacting the world through innovation."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important: The ADP Foundation does not have a public application process. They do not accept unsolicited grant applications and do not provide a grant application form on their website.

How Grants Are Awarded:

  • Invitation-only based on trustee discretion and strategic priorities
  • Associate-driven initiatives identified by ADP employees
  • Pre-existing relationships with the foundation
  • Strategic partnerships aligned with ADP's corporate social responsibility goals

Getting on Their Radar

While the ADP Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations may increase visibility through:

1. Geographic Alignment: The foundation prioritizes communities where ADP has significant operations, particularly:

  • Tri-State area: New Jersey (Roseland, Florham Park, Parsippany, Monroe Township, Moorestown), New York (NYC, Brooklyn, Bayside, Melville, Poughkeepsie, Williamsville, Rochester, Latham, Syracuse), Connecticut (Milford, Stamford, Windsor)
  • Other major ADP office locations across 40+ U.S. states

2. ADP Employee Connections: Much of the foundation's giving is associate-driven. Organizations with ADP employees as volunteers, board members, or donors may have better visibility.

3. ADP's Matching Gift Program: While not direct foundation grants, organizations can become eligible for ADP's employee matching gift program (up to $3,000 per employee annually), which requires:

  • 501(c)(3) status
  • Registration as national charity meeting Better Business Bureau standards, OR
  • Accredited four-year college/university, OR
  • National educational public television/radio station
  • Not primarily religious, political, fraternal, or social in nature

4. Strategic Alignment: Focus on areas central to ADP's mission:

  • Workforce employability and skills development
  • STEM education and innovation
  • Community strengthening in areas with ADP presence

5. Scale and Impact: Recent major grants (e.g., $1 million to Liberty Science Center) suggest the foundation favors partnerships with established organizations capable of significant regional or national impact.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As an invitation-only foundation, timelines vary based on strategic priorities and trustee decisions.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process.

Application Success Factors

While the ADP Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations invited to partner or those seeking to increase visibility should consider:

1. Alignment with ADP's Core Mission

  • ADP's focus is "unlocking the potential of people by investing in education"
  • Projects related to workforce development, employability, and STEM education align strongly with their priorities
  • Bob Lockett notes: "Expanding workforce employability — that is, giving people the skills and opportunities they need to succeed — is central to sustaining [ADP's] business, meeting societal needs and boosting economic growth"

2. Geographic Connection

  • Strong preference for communities where ADP has significant employee presence
  • New Jersey receives particular attention as ADP's headquarters state
  • 67% of funding concentrated in the Northeast region

3. Innovation and Forward-Thinking Approach

  • Leadership emphasizes "innovative solutions for navigating forward"
  • The SciTech Scity partnership demonstrates interest in cutting-edge educational and innovation infrastructure

4. Community Impact Potential

  • The foundation seeks partners that can "generate a lasting, positive impact upon the communities"
  • Scale matters - recent grants range from $10,000 to $1,000,000+

5. Associate Engagement Opportunities

  • Projects that create volunteer opportunities for ADP employees may be particularly attractive
  • ADP emphasizes corporate programs that "encourage associates to give back through workplace giving" and "volunteer time and share knowledge"

6. Established Track Record

  • Partnerships with nationally recognized organizations (Habitat for Humanity, Junior Achievement, Rise Against Hunger) suggest preference for established nonprofits with proven impact

7. Multi-Year Partnership Potential

  • Rather than one-off grants, the foundation appears to favor sustained relationships (e.g., founding partnership with SciTech Scity)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: The ADP Foundation operates by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited proposals. Do not submit cold applications.

  • Associate-Driven Model: ADP employees are central to the foundation's grantmaking strategy. Organizations with existing ADP volunteer or donor relationships have significant advantages.

  • Geographic Strategy Matters: Focus on the Tri-State area (NY, NJ, CT) and other communities with significant ADP operations. New Jersey organizations receive particular attention.

  • Education is the Priority: 67% of funding goes to education-related initiatives. STEM education, workforce development, and employability programs are core interests.

  • Think Strategically About Employee Matching: While not foundation grants, ADP's generous employee matching program (up to $3,000/employee) can be a valuable revenue source for eligible organizations.

  • Scale and Innovation: Recent major gifts ($1 million to Liberty Science Center) demonstrate appetite for transformative projects with regional or national impact focused on innovation and STEM.

  • Long-Term Relationships: The foundation appears to prefer sustained partnerships over transactional grants. If invited to partner, think in terms of multi-year collaboration.

References

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