FEDEX CORPORATION CONTRIBUTIONS PROGRAM

Contact information:
c/o Global Community Relations and Corporate Contributions
3610 Hacks Cross Rd., Bldg. A, 1st Floor
Memphis, TN 38125-8800
Phone: (901) 395-5007
Email: communityrelations@fedex.com

Website: http://about.van.fedex.com/corporate_responsibility/philanthropy

Type of foundation: Corporate

Types of grants: Project, in-kind.

Description: FedEx makes charitable contributions primarily in the following three areas:

• Disaster Readiness, Relief and Recovery: FedEx accepts applications from organizations that bring relief to victims of emergencies or natural disasters. Specifically, FedEx supports the quick and efficient transport of aid and disaster preparedness education initiatives. FedEx is an active participant in the Red Cross disaster preparedness program, Ready When the Time Comes, an effort to help local communities prepare for disasters. FedEx has also supported Red Cross programs to help small businesses prepare for disaster and to promote emergency preparedness training for school-aged children.
• Child Pedestrian Safety: FedEx supports organizations that help keep children safe through increasing awareness and knowledge of pedestrian safety, helping change unsafe child pedestrian behaviors and/or creating environmental improvements to keep child pedestrians safe in local communities.
• Sustainability: Through its EarthSmart Outreach programs, FedEx supports sustainable transportation solutions that reduce emissions and congestion, enhance safety and expand accessibility; build sustainable cities through the conservation and restoration of parks and green spaces; and promote ecosystem vitality through the rehabilitation of natural habitats impacted by disaster and improving disaster resilience.

In addition, FedEx supports projects that engage students in the global economy, catalyze reform that close the achievement gap, and advance opportunities for minorities through access to higher education.

Sample grants:

• $1,000,000 to American Red Cross National Headquarters for Hurricane Katrina relief (2005).
• $500,000 to American Red Cross National Headquarters For in-kind shipping services for Hurricane Katrina relief effort (2005).
• $500,000 to the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, World Vision and United Way Worldwide (in support of a Japanese NGO) for Japan Disaster Relief (2011).
• $500,000 to multiple recipients for in-kind transportation assistance in support of planned relief efforts in Japan. These organizations include Heart to Heart International, Direct Relief International, Water Missions, Project Hope and World Vision.
• $250,000 to American Red Cross National Headquarters for Haiti relief (2010).
• $100,000 to American Red Cross National Headquarters for Japan earthquake victims (2011).
• $100,000 to Salvation Army National Headquarters for Haiti relief (2010).
• $50,000 to Direct Relief International for Haiti relief (2010).
• $25,000 to the Wyclef Jean Foundation for Haiti relief (2010).
• In 2011, FedEx co-sponsored the National Association of Black Journalists’ (NABJ) Annual Convention and Career Fair. Fedex has supported the organization since 2004.
• FedEx is a sponsor of the Magic Johnson Foundation, which provides scholarships, seminars and counseling to youth who often must overcome tremendous odds in order to have the opportunity to go to college.

Fit for public broadcasting: Like many corporate giving programs, there is relatively little available information about grants made. That said, FedEx’s interest in disaster preparedness and promoting education about disaster readiness may be a fit with public media. Public media is arguably central to helping communities deal with an impending disaster and its aftermath. While no specific grants to media were found, FedEx clearly has some connection to journalism given its multi-year support of the National Association of Black Journalists.

Eligibility: FedEx considers requests from registered 501(c)(3) organizations. It is especially interested in supporting nonprofit organizations in good financial and public standing that request: five percent or less of a total project budget; support for specific program needs rather than special events or capital campaigns; contingency grants; or seed monies with the thought that other sources will contribute matching amounts. Organizations must show evidence of competent management, low administrative/fundraising expense ratios and a nondiscriminatory program benefiting broad segments of the community. All requests must fit within FedEx’s funding priorities and show evidence of current personal and active engagement by one or more FedEx team members.

Deadline: None found.

How to apply: The majority of contributions are initiated by FedEx. However, it is possible to submit an unsolicited application, which must be submitted online. To do this, click here to take the eligibility quiz, and you will then be forwarded to the application.

Giving range: Grants to national organizations for disaster relief work in the U.S. and around the world have ranged from $25,000 - $1,000,000.

Assets: Not found. Giving is tied to pre-tax profits each year.

Total giving: No totals found. According to the 2010 Global Citizenship Report, FedEx invested 1.51 percent of total pre-tax profits in community and disaster relief.

View the 2010 FedEx Global Citizenship Report here.