Celanese Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Celanese Foundation awards grants to a variety of organizations locally in Texas and around the country.
IP TAKE: This funder prioritizes partnerships with local nonprofits through employee matching programs. A grant seeker’s best bet for funding is to look through their Rolodex to see who they know at this company or to reach out to an employee. The foundation does not have distinct grantmaking areas, preferring instead to follow the interests of its employees, but taxes reveal certain giving focus areas outlined below. This is a tougher nut to crack.
PROFILE: Established in 2013, the Celanese Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Celanese, a Texas-based global technology and special materials company. It seeks to improve “the quality of life for people around the world,” and supports issues that align with the parent corporation’s mission to “improve the world and everyday life through [its] people, chemistry, and innovation.” The foundation does not have dedicated grantmaking programs, and instead relies on employee matching and participation initiatives.
The foundation is “driven by the passion of Celanese employees” and operates “through employee programs and engagement.” To encourage participation, Celanese pays employees for up to 16 hours of volunteer time; matches employee donations up to $1,500 per year; and offers “Dollars for Hours,” which donates $10 to a nonprofit for every hour an employee volunteers. Celanese also utilizes the Celanese Community Impact Program, which deploys “employees to serve local non-profit organizations to develop leadership skills and foster innovation.”
Grants for Diseases
The Celanese Foundation does not have a grantmaking program dedicated to disease-related organizations; however, the foundation’s tax filings indicate a funding interest in this space. Past grantees include organizations such as the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease and the American Liver Foundation.
Grants for K-12 and Higher Education
The Celanese Foundation does not have a grantmaking program dedicated to education, but tax filings indicate that it does make grants for higher education and grants for K-12 education. Past education grantees include Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, Mi Escuelita Preschool, Communities in Schools Bay Area, and the State University of New York at Oneonta.
Grants for Violence Prevention
The Celanese Foundation does not have a grantmaking program dedicated to violence prevention organizations; however, the foundation’s tax filings indicate a funding interest in this space. According to tax filings, past grantees in this space include the New Beginning Center and International Rescue Committee.
Grants for Disaster Relief
Tax filings indicate a funding interest in this space. Past disaster grantees include the American Red Cross and Feed the Children.
Grants for Housing, Homelessness, and Community Development
The Celanese Foundation does not have a grantmaking program dedicated to housing, homelessness, or community development, but it’s tax filings indicate a funding interest in this space. Past grantees include Collin Intervention to Youth House, Promise House, and Jubilee Park & Community Center Corporation.
Important Grant Details:
Celanese awards a relatively large number of grants each year; however, grant amounts are generally on the modest side, often ranging from $500 to $50,000.
The Celanese Foundation accepts unsolicited grant requests; however, Celanese employee interest and active support determines most funding. The foundation does not fund individuals, political campaigns or lobbyists, endowments, publications, or national debt reduction programs.
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