Giving of our time, money, and talent is an important part of our sustainability strategy. Our philanthropy includes cash gifts from 3M and the 3M Foundation, donated products, and volunteerism by employees and retired employees. Subsidiaries outside the U.S. administer their giving programs to reflect the local culture and needs. In 2011, we donated more than $65 million in cash and products globally.
Giving in the U.S.
In 2011, we contributed more than $60 million in cash and products to nonprofit and education organizations serving our communities. Our giving targets education, health and human services, arts and culture, and the environment. Some recent examples of our giving:
Giving Targeting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
3M partners with school districts in our communities to increase student achievement in math and science and readiness for higher education.
Engineering is Elementary (EiE)
In Decatur, Alabama, a two-year 3M Foundation grant of almost $200,000 invested in Decatur City Schools K–8 science and technology curriculum. Engineering is Elementary (EiE), developed by the Boston Museum, blends reading skills with hands-on science in a fun and powerful combination that engages students. To continue their interest into middle school, we funded the Project Lead the Way (Clifton Hills, New York) Gateway to Technology curriculum.
St. Paul Public Schools (Minnesota) received a $428,000 grant to implement Engineering is Elementary in grades 2–6 and funds for field trips to local science and technology museums and nature centers to reinforce classroom learning.
Project Lead the Way
Multiyear giving to South Washington County Schools, Minnesota, implemented Project Lead the Way in all of the district’s middle schools and two high schools. To entice student interest further, we also funded First Robotics Teams, allowing students to apply their learning in this national robotics competition.
Other Project Lead the Way grants were awarded to school districts in Minnesota (Mahtomedi, White Bear Lake); South Dakota (Brookings); and Wisconsin (Prairie du Chien). And, 3M volunteers reinforce classroom learning as guest speakers, sharing their experiences and backgrounds to inspire students to think about their future.
Higher Education Giving Targets Science, Engineering, and Business
Building communications skills by integrating technology into the curriculum is the goal of a $1 million, multiyear 3M Foundation grant to the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. The grant creates a new Sales and Communications Laboratory to enhance students’ presentation, listening, and selling skills.
Acara Institute
Acara Institute is a new nonprofit that aims to get multidisciplinary, cross-cultural teams of students working to solve global problems. Six teams from three colleges (University of Minnesota, Illinois Institute of Technology, Indian Institute of Technology–Mumbai) and one team of high school students (from Leonard’s Basement, an afterschool program in Minneapolis) worked on a daunting challenge to develop a plan for a sustainable business that would provide clean water to the slums of Mumbai. A $50,000 grant from 3M helped make the program possible and for the winning team from the University of Minnesota to implement their plan.
Project HOPE
For more than 50 years, Project HOPE has rushed medical aid to disaster victims around the world. For 40 of those years, we’ve been at their side, donating cash, medical supplies, face masks, and other products. Since 1970, we’ve donated more than $17 million to Project HOPE, including almost $2.5 million in cash and $14.5 million in products.
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Children’s Museum of the Upstate, Greenville, South Carolina
Informal learning is nurtured by a $10,000 3M Foundation grant to the Children’s Museum of the Upstate, Greenville, South Carolina, creating a scholarship fund to reduce admission for schools, Boy and Girl Scout troops, childcare facilities, and HeadStart Programs.
3M Community Giving Campaign
3M Community Giving Campaign in partnership with United Way: Focusing on positively impacting lives, 3Mers around the U.S. engaged in volunteer projects to make their communities and fellow citizens stronger. Donations from employees, retirees, and the 3M Foundation exceeded $7.4 million. 3Mers in Argentina, Canada, and Hungary also engage with their local United Ways.
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Global Giving
Brazil’s Social Innovation
3M Brazil’s Social Innovation Institute uses 3M innovation to find easily replicated and affordable solutions to the country’s most pressing social issues in collaboration with local governments. Among its breakthroughs: a unique bread that helps combat malnutrition and hunger, a rainwater-collection system for farmers struggling with both drought and poverty, and a process for using the rubber from old tiles in construction bricks.
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3M Korea: Science Camp
3M Korea sponsors a free science camp for middle-school students. The camp is staffed by both 3M volunteers and paid teachers.
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3M South Africa: Health Care Train
3M South Africa makes an annual donation of dental materials, wound dressings, stethoscopes, and other medical products to the “health care train,” which delivers dental and medical care to 45,000 people in remote, rural communities every year.
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3M United Kingdom and Ireland: “Be Seen, Be Safe”
3M United Kingdom and Ireland support street safety and cycling safety with its “Be Seen, Be Safe” program. The ongoing campaign includes a 3M donation of 50,000 3M™ Scotchlite reflective vests to local schools, a web-based education tool, and biking safety instruction.
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Our Giving Guidelines
Our global giving priorities and processes may differ by country. For more information, follow the links provided below or direct your inquiry to 3M in your country.
3M Brazil
3M Canada
3M Italy
3M Mexico
3M Spain
3M United Kingdom
United States
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