Dow Company Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $21,004,785 (2023)
• Total Assets: $237.5 million
• Average Grant Size: $100,985
• Number of Grants (2023): 208 awards
• Grant Range: Up to $10,000 (Dow Promise & Education Grants) to larger strategic grants
• Geographic Focus: Communities where Dow operates across the United States and globally (160 countries)

Contact Details

Address: 2211 H.H. Dow Way, Midland, MI 48674-0001

Phone: 989-636-8780 or 989-638-7251

Fax: 989-832-1456

Funding Inquiry Portal: https://engage.dow.com/GrantsInvestmentsInquiries

Website: https://corporate.dow.com/en-us/purpose-in-action/global-citizenship/grants-investments.html

Overview

Established in 1979, the Dow Company Foundation is a company-sponsored foundation that strengthens communities and addresses pressing global challenges through strategic charitable investments. With total assets of $237.5 million and annual grant-making of approximately $21 million, the foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of Dow Inc. The foundation operates through collaborative partnerships with NGOs, nonprofit organizations, Dow customers, and employees to solve social and sustainability challenges. Under the leadership of Bob Plishka, who serves as Global Director of Strategic Corporate Partnerships and Dow Company Foundation President, and Howard Ungerleider as Chairman (who also serves as President and CFO of Dow), the foundation has evolved its approach to focus on three key social impact priorities: Thriving Communities, STEM & Skilled Trades, and Sustainability.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Dow Promise Program: Up to $10,000 per grant Annual competitive program supporting educational and economic challenges Black youth and adults face in the United States by addressing community-identified needs and advancing equitable opportunities.

• Application method: Annual deadline (September 5 for 2025 cycle)

Dow Gives Community Grants: Maximum $20,000 per grant Competitive grant program supporting social, economic, or environmental projects that contribute to long-term success in Dow communities.

• Application method: Rolling basis with three review periods annually

Education Grants: Maximum $10,000 per grant Schools can apply for grants supporting educational initiatives aligned with Dow's priorities.

• Application method: Competitive application process

Business Impact Fund: Varies by project Annual fund bringing together NGOs, nonprofit organizations, Dow customers, and employees to solve social or sustainability challenges.

• Application method: Competitive selection process

Employee Matching Gift Program: $250 - $10,000 per donor annually Matches personal contributions from employees and retirees to accredited institutions of higher education on a 1:1 basis.

Priority Areas

Projects must align with one of Dow's three charitable contributions commitment areas:

1. Thriving Communities

   • Community well-being
   • Energy efficiency and affordable housing
   • Water access and reuse

2. STEM & Skilled Trades

   • Classroom to career programs
   • Educator empowerment
   • Science education initiatives

3. Sustainability

   • Environmental stewardship
   • Increase food productivity and prevent waste
   • Sustainable solutions

What They Don't Fund

• Capital equipment purchases (such as vans)
• Ongoing operational funding
• Organizations that do not align with Dow's non-discrimination policy
• Multiple applications from the same organization in a single cycle

Governance and Leadership

Howard Ungerleider - Chairman of the Dow Company Foundation; President and Chief Financial Officer of Dow Inc.

Bob Plishka - Global Director of Strategic Corporate Partnerships and Dow Company Foundation President

The foundation operates as a private company-sponsored foundation and files Form 990-PF annually.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Organizations interested in funding should submit an inquiry through Dow's online portal at https://engage.dow.com/GrantsInvestmentsInquiries. This serves to route inquiries to appropriate local teams based on alignment with Dow's social impact priorities.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a charitable or nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax designation, OR a municipal or government agency
• Contribution must be to a qualified organization for a charitable purpose
• Must align with one of Dow's three commitment areas
• Must agree to Dow's Non-Discrimination Policy

Important: Only one application per organization is accepted. Organizations that apply for more than one grant will be disqualified for consideration for all grants.

Decision Timeline

Three Grant Review Periods Annually:

• Period 1: Requests received by March 31
• Period 2: Requests received between March 31 and July 1
• Period 3: Requests received on or after July 1

Success Rates

In 2023, the foundation made 208 awards from its total giving of approximately $21 million.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations with unfinished grant projects are not eligible for further Dow funding until the project is complete.

Application Success Factors

The foundation emphasizes: "The most important advice is to read the application carefully, fully answer all questions, and provide a detailed budget of how the funds will be spent. Professional grant writing experience doesn't matter for the Selection Committee's decision—what matters is carefully reading the application, fully answering all questions, and providing a detailed budget."

Project Characteristics That Stand Out:

• One-time, sustainable community projects with clear outcomes
• Detailed, itemized budgets showing how funds will be spent
• Projects in communities where Dow operates
• Collaborative approaches involving multiple stakeholders
• Innovative solutions to social or sustainability challenges

Recent Funded Projects:

• Project Ybá (Brazil): Conservation supporting commercialization of non-timber forest products
• Oliver's Village (South Africa): Agricultural education programs
• ReBuild: Foundations for the Future (Mexico): Sustainable housing using recycled materials
• Project REUSE (Brazil): Fridge recycling expansion
• Small Scale Pyrolysis Unit (Thailand): Supporting small enterprises in plastics recycling

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Budget is critical: Provide a detailed, itemized budget—this matters more than professional grant writing experience
• Location matters significantly: Strong preference for projects in communities where Dow operates
• Sustainability over operations: Focus on one-time, sustainable projects rather than ongoing operational funding
• Complete one application only: Multiple applications will result in disqualification
• Align clearly with priorities: Thriving Communities, STEM & Skilled Trades, or Sustainability
• Leverage Dow's expertise: Projects benefiting from Dow employee engagement or technology may be competitive for Business Impact Fund
• Plan for review cycles: Submit early in the review period for one of three annual decision periods

References

1. Dow Company Foundation Profile, Instrumentl 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/dow-chemical-company-foundation
2. Dow Grants and Investments. Corporate Dow. https://corporate.dow.com/en-us/purpose-in-action/global-citizenship/grants-investments.html
3. Dow Promise: Grants for Empowering Communities. Corporate Dow. https://corporate.dow.com/en-us/purpose-in-action/global-citizenship/grants-investments/dow-promise.html
4. The Dow Chemical Company Foundation - Community and Education Grants Programs FAQ. Corporate Dow PDF Document.
5. Dow Company Foundation Profile, Cause IQ. EIN: 38-2314603. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/dow-chemical-company-foundation,382314603/
6. Dow drives social impact in global communities through nine collaborative projects. Corporate Dow Press Release, December 2024.
7. Dow funds seven new business and sustainability projects to drive social impact. Corporate Dow Press Release, November 2023.
8. Dow Company Foundation, Foundation Directory, Candid. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=DOWC001
9. Dow Company Foundation - Nonprofit Explorer, ProPublica. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/382314603
10. Dow Funding Inquiry. Dow Engagement Portal. https://engage.dow.com/GrantsInvestmentsInquiries