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Arconic Foundation

Annual Giving
$7.0M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.3M

Arconic Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,977,739 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $169.6 million (2024)
  • Number of Grants: 151 grants awarded in 2023
  • Grant Range: $53 - $300,000
  • Geographic Focus: Communities where Arconic Corporation has facilities (US and international)
  • Application Method: Invitation only

Contact Details

Address: 201 Isabella Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Website: https://www.arconic.com/foundation

EIN: 84-3049720

Note: The foundation does not provide public contact information for general grant inquiries as they operate on an invitation-only basis. Organizations should connect with their local Arconic Foundation Ambassador in communities where Arconic has a presence.

Overview

The Arconic Foundation was established in 2020 as an independent corporate foundation supporting communities where Arconic Corporation operates globally. With assets of $169.6 million and annual giving of nearly $7 million, the foundation partners with nonprofit organizations to enhance education through skill-building learning experiences, advance environmental sustainability, and promote social equity. The foundation operates through a unique ambassador model, with local Foundation Ambassadors working in nearly every community where Arconic has a major presence worldwide, including locations in the United States, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hungary, and the United Kingdom. In 2023, Arconic received a perfect score of 100 in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Corporate Equality Index, reflecting the organization's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Signature Grants: Multi-community, regional, or national in scope

  • Typical range: $25,000 - $300,000
  • Focus areas: Education and Environmental Sustainability
  • Examples include partnerships with national organizations like FIRST Inspires, Project Lead The Way, and National Forest Foundation

Location Grants: Organizations operating within or near a single priority community

  • Typical range: $15,000 - $100,000
  • Focus areas: Education, Environmental Sustainability, and Human Needs
  • Recent examples include $15,000 - $100,000 grants to Tennessee nonprofits

FIRST Robotics Program Grants: Standardized grants for FIRST Tech Challenge teams

  • Amount: $1,000 per team (rookie and veteran)
  • Application through FIRST Submission Manager portal

Scholarship Program: For children of Arconic employees

  • Amount: $5,000 per student (non-renewable)
  • Application period: January 7 - March 7 annually

Priority Areas

Education: The foundation seeks partnerships to create skill-building learning experiences that enhance individual opportunity, specifically within:

  • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
  • Manufacturing workforce development
  • Youth development programs
  • Technical education and training

Environmental Sustainability: Support for organizations focused on:

  • Freshwater conservation
  • Forest and park conservation
  • Climate and environmental education
  • Recycling and circular economy initiatives
  • Protecting natural resources

Human Needs (Location Grantmaking only):

  • Food security
  • Health and wellness
  • Housing and shelter
  • Community safety
  • Disaster relief

What They Don't Fund

While the foundation does not publish a comprehensive exclusions list, eligibility requirements indicate they do not fund:

  • Organizations outside communities where Arconic has facilities or operations
  • Organizations that do not align with their mission and funding priorities
  • Non-501(c)(3) organizations in the U.S. (or equivalent charitable status internationally)
  • Organizations that cannot sign their inclusivity statement
  • For scholarships: Children of retired employees, or expenses beyond tuition/fees (room and board, travel, research, tutoring, equipment)

Governance and Leadership

The Arconic Foundation operates as an independently endowed corporate foundation. Specific information about board members and trustees is not publicly available through standard nonprofit databases. The foundation operates through a decentralized model with local Foundation Ambassadors in communities worldwide.

Foundation Ambassador Example: Christy Newman serves as Arconic Foundation ambassador for Tennessee Operations and board director for the Pellissippi State Foundation.

The foundation's grantmaking decisions are made in consultation with community stakeholders, based on local needs and priorities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grant applications to Arconic Foundation are by invitation only.

The foundation selects nonprofit partnerships in consultation with community stakeholders, based on local needs and priorities. Organizations cannot submit unsolicited applications for general grants.

Exception: The FIRST Robotics program has a specific application portal for eligible teams through FIRST Submission Manager.

Getting on Their Radar

The Arconic Foundation uses a unique local ambassador model that provides specific opportunities for organizations to connect:

Local Foundation Ambassadors: In nearly every community around the world where Arconic has a major presence, a local Arconic Foundation Ambassador works on behalf of Arconic Foundation, partnering with charitable organizations. Organizations should:

  • Identify if their community has an Arconic Corporation facility (locations include Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Iowa, and internationally in Canada, China, France, Germany, Hungary, and UK)
  • Contact the local Arconic facility to inquire about connecting with the Foundation Ambassador for that community
  • Focus on communities where Arconic has a "significant presence" as these are designated priority communities

Employee Engagement Opportunities: The foundation explicitly seeks grant projects that "include employee engagement opportunities." Organizations that can offer meaningful volunteer opportunities for Arconic employees may be more attractive partners, as:

  • Thousands of Arconic employees volunteer to make a difference in their communities
  • The foundation holds an annual Month of Recognition in October with contests where winning volunteer initiatives receive trophies and $10,000 grants to associated nonprofits
  • Employees receive charitable gift cards through partnerships with DonorsChoose.org and GlobalGiving when they volunteer

National Partnership Programs: Organizations with national reach can explore partnerships at the Signature grant level, particularly those focused on STEM education or environmental sustainability (e.g., FIRST Inspires, Project Lead The Way, National Forest Foundation)

Arconic Corporate Locations specifically mentioned include:

  • Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh (headquarters), Bloomsburg, New Kensington
  • Tennessee: Alcoa (Tennessee Operations)
  • Iowa: Davenport/Bettendorf (Davenport Works)
  • International: Multiple locations across 7 countries

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed for general grants. For the scholarship program:

  • Application period: January 7 - March 7
  • Notifications: Approximately two months after the application deadline (May)

Success Rates

The foundation made 151 grants in 2023 from total giving of $6,977,739. Specific application-to-award ratios are not published due to the invitation-only model.

Reapplication Policy

Since grants are by invitation only, there is no formal reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants. Organizations should maintain relationships with local Foundation Ambassadors for future opportunities.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated criteria and grant patterns, organizations should focus on:

Measurable Results: The foundation explicitly seeks "grant projects that produce measurable results" and "nonprofit partners that can produce measurable, long-term results and have the potential to be effectively implemented and sustained over time without our funding." Applications should include clear metrics and evaluation plans.

Financial Sustainability: Projects must demonstrate "financial sustainability." The foundation wants to know the project can continue beyond their grant period, not become dependent on their ongoing support.

Employee Engagement: The foundation seeks projects that "include employee engagement opportunities." Successful applicants should propose concrete ways for Arconic employees to volunteer or engage with the project. Given the foundation's emphasis on volunteerism and recognition programs, this is a significant factor.

Communication Strategy: Projects should "promote visibility through an effective communications strategy." The foundation values partners who can help tell the story of their collaborative impact.

Commitment to Equity: All grant projects must "demonstrate commitment to the inclusion of diverse and/or underrepresented populations" and "demonstrate commitment to equitable opportunities for all." Organizations must sign the Arconic Foundation inclusivity statement. This is a non-negotiable requirement.

Geographic Alignment: Organizations must serve communities where Arconic Corporation has facilities or offices. Research Arconic's specific locations and clearly articulate how your work serves that community.

STEM and Workforce Development Focus: For education grants, the foundation has a "specific" focus on "STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) and manufacturing workforce development." General education programs should demonstrate connection to these areas.

National Partnership Examples: Organizations seeking Signature grants should note the foundation's existing national partnerships include FIRST Inspires, Project Lead The Way, Society for Science, Manufacturing Institute, Junior Achievement Europe, National Environmental Education Foundation, National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and American Forests.

Local Grant Examples: Recent Tennessee location grants that succeeded ranged from $15,000-$100,000 and went to Tennessee College of Applied Technology ($55,000-$100,000), Tennessee State Parks Conservancy ($28,000-$40,000), United Way ($35,000), and organizations focused on food security, health, housing, and community development.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only model: You cannot apply directly; build relationships with local Arconic Foundation Ambassadors in communities where Arconic operates
  • Employee engagement is critical: Design programs that offer meaningful volunteer opportunities for Arconic employees, as this is explicitly sought in grant criteria
  • Two grant tiers: Understand whether your organization fits the Signature (multi-community, regional, national) or Location (single priority community) model
  • Geographic requirement is strict: Only organizations serving communities where Arconic has facilities will be considered; research their locations thoroughly
  • STEM and manufacturing focus: Education grants strongly favor workforce development and STEM programming over general education
  • Equity and inclusion are mandatory: All organizations must sign an inclusivity statement and demonstrate commitment to diverse and underrepresented populations
  • Demonstrate sustainability: Show how your program will continue beyond the grant period; the foundation does not want to create dependency
  • Know the portfolio: Review their existing national partnerships (FIRST, PLTW, National Forest Foundation, etc.) to understand their preferred program models

References

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