The International Paper Foundation supports non-profit organizations in the communities where our employees live and work. Please review the guidelines carefully and proceed with our online grant application. U.S. non-profits interested in funding must be located in communities where International Paper has operations or has an employee base. Please contact your local facility for additional information about local deadlines and other funding requirements.

To apply for an International Paper Foundation grant, please visit www.ipgiving.com and apply using on our online, electronic grant application. Grants are reviewed quarterly on February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1. Please contact your local IP facility for more information on community-specific deadlines and submission processes. Phone, email or mail applications will not be considered.

International Paper conducts most of its philanthropic activities through its foundation, the International Paper Foundation, which was incorporated in 1952.  The Foundation’s primary focus is on environmental education and literacy.  The Foundation provides limited support for short-term, critical civic needs in the communities where International Paper has operating facilities and for organizations-- outside the focus areas-- where its employees actively volunteer.

Grants are ONLY considered in the communities where International Paper has a significant employee presence.  If your organization doesn’t have an IP location in the community, you are not eligible for grant funding. 

International Paper Foundation Focus Areas
The two primary areas of support are environmental education and literacy. 

Environmental Education
International Paper is proud of the products we make and the way we make them. For more than 110 years, our company has been one of the most environmentally responsible companies in the world. We are looking for programs that help generations understand a sustainable approach to business that balances environmental, social and economic needs. Given the vast nature of this subject area, the Foundation has decided to focus on:
• National Geographic Kids Magazine subscriptions at schools in local communities
• Earth’s Birthday Project kits for children---www.earthsbirthday.org
• programs that coincide with content from the pbs.org website ECOinvestigators
• science based programs targeting children
• outdoor classrooms at schools or in communities
• outdoor science programs tied to forestry, air or water quality
• programs that educate and promote recycling and composting
 
 Literacy
• program that enhance reading materials at school and community libraries
• programs that enhance the reading skills of children
• programs that teach English as a second language

Limited Foundation funds will be granted in the following areas:

Employee Involvement
Non-profits outside the Foundation’s primary focus areas may be eligible for funds if:
• They have a volunteer apply who is a full-time employee of International Paper.
• The employee volunteer requests funds for only one nonprofit organization per year.
• The employee submitting the request must be a member of the organization’s board of directors or must be actively involved with the organization for a minimum of six months
• The organization is 501(c)(3) tax-exempt 
• The request does not exceed $5,000

New Critical Community Needs
The Foundation will consider providing “seed” money on a one-time, non-recurring basis for these needs.
• The project must be a new “critical” community initiative.
• The proposal should provide a benefit to the community at large.
• Sources of potential future funding must be identified.
INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY FOUNDATION
Eligibility
The Foundation makes grants to nonprofit charitable organizations classified under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Service Code.  In addition, certain municipal, county, state and federal entities are eligible, such as school districts and fire departments.  The Foundation will not review a proposal unless the tax-exempt organization takes full legal, fiscal and administrative responsibility for the request.

The Foundation ONLY supports nonprofit organizations located in communities in the United States where the Company has operations.

Restrictions
The Foundation generally does not provide funds for:
• Individuals
• Salaries, stipends and other forms of  compensation
• Academic scholarships
• Endowments
• Capital expenses
• Multi-year commitments
• Veterans or labor groups, religious or political groups or organizations that have as their primary purpose attempting to influence legislation
• Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or national origin
• Grants to primarily benefit employees or families of International Paper, or pay for services, subscriptions, tuition, or memberships
• Sponsorships or advertising
• Travel expenses for groups or individuals
• Team sponsorships or athletic scholarships
• National conferences, sporting events and other one-time events
• Expansion of educational programs, or summer programs outside of the education focus areas
• More than 20 percent of a charitable organization’s total income

Application Procedures

A non-profit organization with a program in an area that the Foundation supports must take an eligibility quiz prior by visiting www.ipgiving.com and clicking on “Apply for a Grant”.

All proposals will be routed to the local IP facility (available locations located in drop down menu) and must be completed in its entirety to be considered.  Please contact the facility for local submission deadlines. 

Proposals funded in any one year are not automatically assured of future support.  Please submit a new request each year to be considered for renewed funding.

Click here to apply for a grant.