Investing in Community Innovation
Because of 3M's business success, we are able to invest in innovative community programs that help make the future brighter for everyone. 3M employees and retirees also give generously of their time and professional talents to local organizations and agencies.
3M Foundation Board and Corporate Contributions Committee
Our global Community Giving Program is decentralized with 3M subsidiaries in each country developing and administering a program that is consistent with the local culture, community needs and environment in which we operate.
United States
In the United States, the 3M Foundation Board of Directors and Corporate Contributions Committee, comprised of 3M employees, defines the vision for our program that brings corporate financial and volunteer resources together to reflect who we are as a company and our philanthropic relationship with communities in which 3M operates. To help establish our giving focus and evaluate funding requests, 3M depends on the insight of employee advisory committees. National Advisory Committees provide insight into education, health and human service, environmental, and arts giving. Twelve Community Relations Councils develop regional strategies and 70 3M sites across the country direct local charitable giving.
Giving Guideline
Historically in the United States, 3M's cash contributions budget has been about 1.5 percent of U.S. pretax profits. When 3M product donations are added in, the contributions budget exceeds 2 percent of pretax profits.
3M financial support targets:
Education, health and human services, arts and culture, and environmental organizations that:
- Are established, well-managed nonprofit groups that are classified as charitable organizations for tax purposes and located in 3M communities.
- Provide broad-based community support with a reputation for high-quality service delivery and measurable results.
- Develop close relationships with the community to identify changing needs.
