Guidelines and How to Apply

3M’s Community Giving consists of gifts by 3M and the 3M Foundation, donated product and volunteerism by employees and retirees. Most giving is initiated through a Request for Proposal process that allows us to focus our giving and maximize results. Unsolicited proposals are seldom funded. The guidelines are the same for cash and product donations.

To determine eligibility and to save you time, please review the following information carefully.

Program Goals
Our goal is to positively impact 3M communities in the giving areas and specific emphasis listed below. We look for initiatives with defined and measurable results that target underserved populations.

Giving Areas

K-12 Education

• Increased student interest and achievement in math, science and economics
• College readiness

Higher Education

• Advancing academic excellence in science, engineering and business
• Increased participation and retention of underserved people in these disciplines

Health & Human Services

• Strengthening youth development
  • School readiness
  • Afterschool programs with a learning component
  • Prevention focus
• Humanitarian and disaster relief

Arts & Culture

• Enhancing the quality of cultural life in
  • Education and community outreach programs
  • Artistic and cultural diversity

Environment

• Contribute to the sustainability of the Earth’s ecosystems
  • Biodiversity
  • Climate change

Organizations Not Eligible for Support

Organizations located in communities where 3M does not have a facility. Click here for 3M locations

• Individuals
• For-profit organizations
• Disease-related organizations
• Government agencies
• Hospitals, clinics or nursing homes
• Treatment centers or hospice programs
• Individual K-12 schools
• Religious, fraternal or social organizations
• Scholarship funds or organizations
• Athletics

We Do Not Fund

• Advocacy and lobbying efforts to influence legislation
• Conferences, seminars, workshops or publications of their proceedings
• Endowments
• Film/video production
• Fundraising, testimonial, athletic and special events
• Playground or athletic equipment
• Travel

Requests

3M and the 3M Foundation do not accept unsolicited proposals in St. Paul/Minneapolis, Minn., and Austin, Texas. In these communities, all grants are invited.

For other 3M communities, send a letter of inquiry to the local 3M facility addressed to “3M Plant Manager.”

Outside the United States, direct requests to the 3M office in your country.

Click here to take an eligibility quiz.