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Caterpillar Foundation

Annual Giving
$43.5M
Grant Range
$5K - $2.5M
Decision Time
3mo

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Caterpillar Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $43.5 million (2023)
  • Total Assets: $183.7 million
  • Cumulative Giving: Over $1 billion since 1952
  • Decision Time: Quarterly review cycle (applications required 60 days in advance)
  • Grant Range: Up to $2.5 million (most grants under $100,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Global – primarily communities where Caterpillar has business presence; over 50% of funding in U.S.

Contact Details

Overview

The Caterpillar Foundation, established in 1952, is the philanthropic arm of Caterpillar Inc., the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment. What began with a single donation to a firehouse in East Peoria, Illinois has grown into a global philanthropic organisation that has contributed over $1 billion to more than 11,000 organisations across 110 countries and six continents. With approximately $184 million in total assets and annual giving of $43.5 million, the Foundation focuses on building resilient communities through investments in workforce development, STEM education, and sustainable infrastructure. The Foundation's strategy centres on alleviating poverty and putting people on a path to prosperity, with particular emphasis on underserved communities and populations underrepresented in STEM industries. In 2023, the Foundation made 6,166 grant awards, demonstrating significant breadth of grantmaking activity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Workforce Development – "Create the Workforce of the 21st Century"

  • Grants up to $2.5 million (most under $100,000)
  • Focus on workforce readiness and STEM education
  • Priority given to underserved communities and underrepresented populations in STEM
  • Programmes emphasising local markets and hands-on experiences for learners
  • Funding for technical school and community college curricula development

Sustainable Infrastructure – "Building Community Infrastructure"

  • Grants supporting water conservation and infrastructure
  • Watershed management and river/wetland rehabilitation
  • Water infrastructure in underserved communities globally
  • Biodiversity and ecosystem restoration programmes
  • In 2022, nearly 70 active sustainable infrastructure programmes committed over $13 million across 30 countries

Basic Human Needs

  • Food, water, shelter, and energy access
  • Policy education about access to basic human needs
  • Disaster relief and recovery

Employee Matching Programmes

  • Matching Gifts Programme: Dollar-for-dollar match up to $10,000 per employee/retiree annually
  • Volunteer Service Match Programme: Grants of $100 per 10 hours volunteered (minimum 10 hours)
  • In 2024, employee programmes directed $13.9 million to thousands of local organisations

Priority Areas

  • STEM education with emphasis on minority students and underrepresented groups
  • Numeracy and literacy programmes
  • Financial literacy and workforce readiness
  • Technical and vocational education and training (TVET)
  • K-12 academic improvement programmes
  • Water conservation and sustainable infrastructure
  • Disaster preparedness, response, and recovery

What They Don't Fund

  • Capital campaigns (infrastructure, expansion, renovation, equipment)
  • Religious organisations classified as churches
  • Scholarships
  • Direct benefits to Caterpillar, its subsidiaries, dealers, employees, or customers
  • Organisations with discriminatory policies
  • Hospitals

Governance and Leadership

Foundation President:

  • Asha Varghese – Appointed President in March 2019, bringing 15+ years of experience from General Electric, where she served as Director of Global Portfolio at the GE Foundation. She holds an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and is a certified Lean Six Sigma black belt. Graduate of the 2018 Presidential Leadership Scholar programme.

Key Quote from Asha Varghese:

"The Foundation's mission is to build thriving communities by investing in the skills people need to succeed in the workforce. Through our expanded collaboration with the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, we are helping North Texas young adults access work-ready training and industry-recognised credentials that will open doors to meaningful careers. This investment reflects the Foundation's belief that workforce development is key to creating stronger, more sustainable communities."

Corporate Oversight:

  • Sustainability and other Public Policy Committee (Board of Directors) oversees charitable contributions to the Caterpillar Foundation
  • Committee Members: James Fish, Jr. (Chair), Gerald Johnson, David W. MacLennan, Susan C. Schwab
  • Joseph E. Creed (Caterpillar Inc. CEO as of May 2025) serves as Executive Board Member of the Foundation

Foundation Contact:

  • Jennifer Zammuto – Foundation contact person and former COO of the Caterpillar Foundation

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important Note: According to Inside Philanthropy, the Caterpillar Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals for major grants. However, there is an application process for organisations seeking smaller grants or support in Caterpillar facility areas.

For Eligible Organisations:

  1. Download the application form from the Foundation website
  2. Complete the application addressing eligibility criteria
  3. Submit to Contribution.Requests@cat.com at least 60 days before the event or project
  4. Organisations can also request employee volunteers as part of their application

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must align with Foundation's values and mission
  • Programme must be delivered in areas surrounding Caterpillar facilities (with some exceptions)
  • Must have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status or international equivalent
  • Must provide externally audited financial statements
  • Must submit IRS Full Form 990 prepared on accrual method (for U.S.-based organisations)
  • Must demonstrate healthy financial performance and reasonable administrative overhead
  • Must be able to quantitatively measure indicators in focus area

Getting on Their Radar

Since the Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals for larger grants, there are specific pathways to consider:

Caterpillar Employee Network:

  • The most viable pathway is networking with Caterpillar employees and retirees
  • The Caterpillar Cares programme (matching gifts and volunteering) opens doors for smaller organisations
  • Employees can request matching gifts to eligible charities, creating an initial relationship

Strategic Partnerships:

  • The Foundation has longstanding partnerships with organisations like United Way, American Red Cross, Water for People, and the World Resources Institute
  • Working through intermediary partners or United Way chapters may provide access

Geographic Presence:

  • Organisations in communities with Caterpillar facilities have priority consideration
  • Nashville-area organisations must first go through the Cat Financial Contributions Committee

Decision Timeline

  • Applications reviewed quarterly by the Cat Financial Corporate Contributions Committee
  • Submit applications at least 60 days in advance of events or projects
  • Nashville-area funding requires approval from both Cat Financial Contributions Committee and Caterpillar Foundation

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Strategic Priorities:

  • Programmes must clearly connect to workforce development, STEM education, or sustainable infrastructure
  • Emphasis on underserved communities and underrepresented populations in STEM industries
  • Focus on measurable outcomes and quantitative indicators

Geographic Relevance:

  • Strong preference for programmes in areas surrounding Caterpillar facilities
  • Global reach is possible, but U.S. receives over 50% of funding
  • Focus countries include U.S. and China as primary destinations

Organisational Requirements:

  • Clean financial audits and reasonable administrative overhead
  • Demonstrated capacity for quantitative impact measurement
  • Strong track record of programme delivery

Recent Successful Grantees (Examples):

  • International Youth Foundation – EquipYouth programme providing manufacturing and IT skills training in Latin America (85% completion rate, 63% employment outcomes)
  • United Way of Metropolitan Dallas – $250,000 two-year grant for Pathways to Work initiative
  • One Tree Planted – Environmental partnership planting thousands of trees worldwide
  • The King's Trust – Training young people for success
  • Water for People – Global water infrastructure programmes
  • DigDeep Right to Water Project – Water access initiatives
  • National Afterschool Association – STEM education programming
  • We Think Code (South Africa) – Technology training
  • Goodwill – Workforce development partnership

What the Foundation Values (based on Caterpillar core values):

  • Integrity, commitment, teamwork, excellence, and sustainability
  • Programmes that demonstrate measurable knowledge increases, academic progress, and employment outcomes
  • Solutions that are scalable and innovative
  • Focus on root causes of poverty rather than symptoms

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Access is relationship-driven: The Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals for larger grants. Building relationships with Caterpillar employees, retirees, or current grantees is the most effective pathway.

  2. Geographic location matters: Priority is given to organisations in communities where Caterpillar has facilities. If you're not in a Caterpillar community, you'll need a compelling case for exception.

  3. Quantitative outcomes are essential: The Foundation requires ability to measure indicators quantitatively. Build robust evaluation and impact measurement into any proposal.

  4. Employee programmes are an entry point: Smaller organisations can gain visibility through the Matching Gifts and Volunteer Service Match programmes via Caterpillar employees.

  5. Focus areas are clearly defined: Workforce development/STEM and sustainable infrastructure (especially water) are the primary pillars. Programmes outside these areas are unlikely to succeed.

  6. Financial health is scrutinised: You must provide externally audited financial statements and demonstrate reasonable administrative overhead.

  7. Submit early: Applications require 60-day advance submission and are reviewed quarterly, so plan ahead for your funding needs.

References

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