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Grainger Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$20.4M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.5M

Grainger Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $20.4 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $500,000 (typical grants average $10,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Illinois, especially Greater Chicago area
  • Total Assets: $161 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: Lake Forest, IL

Important Note: The Grainger Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Overview

The Grainger Foundation was established in 1949 by William W. Grainger, founder of W.W. Grainger, Inc., the industrial supply company. With total assets of $161 million and annual giving of $20.4 million, the foundation provides substantive support to a broad range of organizations including educational, medical, cultural, and human services institutions. The foundation operates primarily in Illinois, with particular focus on the Greater Chicago area and communities where W.W. Grainger, Inc. maintains operations. The foundation has a distinguished history of major philanthropic commitments, including over $300 million in total support to the University of Illinois, resulting in the naming of The Grainger College of Engineering—the largest amount ever given to a public university to name a college of engineering.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Grainger Foundation supports multiple areas through trustee-directed grantmaking:

  • Major Institutional Support: Large transformational gifts ranging from $2 million to $100 million for capital projects, endowments, and naming opportunities
  • Frontiers of Engineering Grants: $30,000 grants awarded through partnership with the National Academy of Engineering for interdisciplinary research
  • Product Development Grants: Up to $30,000 through partnership with mHUB for hardtech companies
  • General Operating and Program Support: Grants typically averaging $10,000, up to $500,000

Priority Areas

Education (primary focus):

  • Vocational and technical education at two- and four-year colleges and universities
  • Engineering education and research
  • Scholarship programs, particularly for nursing and healthcare pathways
  • K-12 education initiatives

Healthcare and Medical Research:

  • Pediatric emergency medicine research
  • Healthcare access programs
  • Medical centers and hospitals in the Chicago area

Arts and Culture:

  • Major cultural institutions in Chicago including museums, opera, ballet
  • Conservation and preservation initiatives

Disaster Preparedness and Response:

  • Emergency response capacity building
  • Partnership with American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program ($500,000 pledge)
  • Community disaster resilience

Human Services:

  • Food aid programs
  • Veterans programs
  • Mental health services
  • Community development in areas with Grainger operations

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, meaning organizations cannot apply unless invited. Geographic focus is primarily Illinois, so organizations outside this area are unlikely to receive support unless they have a specific connection to Grainger or its priorities.

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel:

  • J.L. Howard - Chairman, President & Director (Compensation: $200,000)
  • G.J. Sinclair - Senior Vice President & Secretary (Compensation: $324,215)
  • Julia Wold - Vice President (Compensation: $120,100)
  • D.W. Grainger - Director (no compensation)

Foundation History: The foundation was led by David W. Grainger as President and then Chairman from 1979 until 2021. David W. Grainger (1927-2025) was the son of founder William W. Grainger and served as Chairman and CEO of W.W. Grainger, Inc. from 1968 to 1997, growing the company from a regional operation to a major corporation with over 15,000 employees and $4 billion in annual revenues. He also served as a Life Trustee of the Museum of Science and Industry and Rush University Medical Center.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Grainger Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grant decisions are made at the discretion of the foundation's trustees based on their strategic priorities and existing relationships.

Grants are awarded on an invitation-only basis, with the foundation proactively identifying organizations aligned with their mission and geographic focus.

Getting on Their Radar

The Grainger Foundation identifies grantees through:

  • Board and leadership connections: Foundation trustees and officers have deep roots in Illinois business, healthcare, and cultural communities. David W. Grainger served as a Life Trustee of the Museum of Science and Industry and Rush University Medical Center, illustrating how board service creates pathways to foundation awareness.

  • W.W. Grainger, Inc. operational footprint: The foundation prioritizes "areas where Grainger maintains operations," suggesting organizations in communities with Grainger facilities or significant employee presence may have better visibility.

  • Major institutional relationships: The foundation has multi-decade relationships with institutions like the University of Illinois (dating back to 1979), the American Red Cross (nearly 20 years), and the Art Institute of Chicago, indicating they value long-term partnerships.

  • Strategic program partnerships: The foundation collaborates with intermediary organizations like the National Academy of Engineering and mHUB to identify specific grant recipients, suggesting participation in programs aligned with foundation priorities could create visibility.

Notable quote: Trevor Riggen, Senior Vice President of American Red Cross Disaster Cycle Services, stated: "For nearly 20 years, Grainger and the Red Cross have partnered," highlighting the foundation's commitment to sustained relationships.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Decisions are made by trustees at their discretion.

Success Rates

Not applicable—the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis without a formal application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable—no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, success factors differ from traditional grant-seeking:

For organizations already in relationship with the foundation:

  • Multi-year commitment potential: The foundation's support to the University of Illinois demonstrates a pattern of sustained giving over decades (since 1979), with incremental gifts building to over $300 million total. Organizations should think in terms of long-term partnership rather than one-off grants.

  • Alignment with founder's legacy: William W. Grainger graduated from University of Illinois in 1919 with an electrical engineering degree. The foundation's $100 million gift came on the 100th anniversary of his graduation, showing they value connections to the founder's personal history and values.

  • Scale and impact demonstration: The foundation has made transformational gifts ranging from $2 million (Lurie Children's Hospital Grainger Research Program in Pediatric Emergency Medicine) to $100 million (University of Illinois engineering). Organizations should present opportunities for significant, measurable impact.

  • Geographic concentration: The foundation "primarily funds initiatives within Illinois" and supports "organizations in Greater Chicago and areas where Grainger maintains operations." Geographic alignment is critical.

  • Institutional credibility: Major recipients include the University of Illinois, Art Institute of Chicago, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Field Museum of Natural History, Rush University Medical Center, and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital—all established institutions with strong governance and track records.

For organizations seeking to build awareness:

  • Focus on foundation priorities: Vocational and technical education at colleges and universities is specifically mentioned as "a significant portion of Grainger's grantmaking," along with disaster preparedness and healthcare access in Chicago.

  • Operational presence: Organizations in communities with W.W. Grainger, Inc. facilities or significant employee presence may have natural visibility with the foundation.

  • Board-level connections: The foundation's leadership has deep ties to specific institutions through board service and trusteeships, suggesting board-to-board connections may be the most effective pathway.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications—traditional grant writing will not be effective. Focus instead on board connections, strategic partnerships, and relationship building.

  • Geographic focus is critical: Unless your organization is based in Illinois or has deep Illinois connections, the Grainger Foundation is unlikely to be a viable prospect.

  • Think transformational, not transactional: While the average grant is $10,000, the foundation's signature gifts are multi-million dollar commitments that transform institutions. Present opportunities for significant, lasting impact.

  • Alignment with founder's values matters: William W. Grainger was an electrical engineer and University of Illinois graduate who built a successful industrial supply business. Organizations in engineering education, vocational training, and practical workforce development align with this legacy.

  • Multi-decade partnerships are the model: The foundation has supported the University of Illinois for over 40 years, the American Red Cross for nearly 20 years, and maintains ongoing relationships with Chicago's major cultural institutions. They seek sustained partnerships, not one-time grants.

  • Leverage intermediary programs: The foundation works through partners like the National Academy of Engineering and mHUB to identify specific grant recipients. Participating in programs aligned with foundation priorities may create visibility.

  • Major institutional credibility is essential: Recipients are established, well-governed institutions with strong track records. Emerging or small grassroots organizations are unlikely to be on the foundation's radar.

References

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