BNSF Railway Foundation
/OVERVIEW: Working exclusively in the geographic areas served by its parent railway company, the BNSF Railway Foundation funds civic services, cultural organizations, education, health and human services, youth organizations and federally recognized Native American governments.
IP TAKE: BNSF prioritizes organizations that operate in the vicinity of its railway lines, or ones that have a significant interest there. The grant process can take anywhere from three months to a year, so grantseekers should plan their applications accordingly.
PROFILE: In 1996, the BNSF Railway company established its charitable arm, the BNSF Railway Foundation, when the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroads merged. Both the corporation and foundation are located in Fort Worth, Texas. BNSF funds civic and cultural services, education, health and human services, youth organizations, and federally recognized Native tribal governments.
Grants for Public Health and Diseases
The BNSF Foundation’s Health and Human Services grantmaking generally centers around programs that "address chemical dependency treatment and prevention, spouse and child abuse, women's and children's aid and transitional shelters." It may also donate to hospitals and medical programs, or national disease-related organizations. Grantees include organizations such as the Montana Meth Project, March of Dimes, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and local chapters of the American Cancer Society.
Grants for Higher Education
The BNSF Foundation’s Educational grantmaking aims to improve the quality of education at public and private colleges and universities. It is a major supporter of Christian colleges and religious schools in its giving areas. The foundation supports general operating costs, endowment funds, technology enhancements and labor or administrative expenses. Past grantees include the University of Texas at Arlington, the University of North Dakota, Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois and College of Engineering and Architecture at Washington State University.
Additionally, the BNSF Foundation’s Scholarship program awards up to fifty scholarships a year to graduating high school students who are the children or dependents of BNSF Railway employees, whether current, retired, or furloughed. The scholarship provides $2,500 per year for up to three years, or $5,000 per year if the student is a National Merit Scholar.
Grants for Violence Prevention
The BNSF Foundation generally awards its crime and violence prevention grants through its Health and Human Services Program. The program supports organizations and programs that “address chemical dependency, treatment and prevention, spouse and child abuse, women’s and children’s aid and transitional shelters.” It also awards crime prevention grants through its Civic focus area. Past grantees include the Matagorda County Women’s Crisis Center and the Community Violence Intervention Center.
Grants for Housing and Community Development
The BNSF Foundation’s Civic grantmaking generally supports organizations that address community issues such as “crime prevention, parks and recreation, diversity and community development.” It provides grants for housing through its Health and Human Services grantmaking, which supports transitional shelters for women and children. Past civic grantees include North Texas Community Foundation, Lincoln Community Foundation, and Seattle Parks Foundation.
Grants for Arts and Culture
The BNSF Foundation’s Cultural grantmaking supports programs and institutions in BNSF Railway communities such as museums, theaters, and “other related activities that offer opportunities for underserved children to experience cultural learning events, or preserve their cultural heritage.”
Grants for Theater
BNSF supports theater and performing arts programs and organizations in its service areas, such as Performing Arts Fort Worth, Jubilee Players, and Montana Shakespeare in the Parks.
Grants for Music
BNSF supports music and performing arts programs and organizations in its service areas, such as the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and Seattle Opera.
Grants for Visual Arts
BNSF supports fine arts programs and museums in its service areas, including the Seattle Art Museum, Chicago Public Art Group, and Yellowstone Art Museum.
Important Grant Details:
Grant amounts range from $2,500 to $500,000. However, most awards generally fall in the $1,000 to $10,000 range. The BNSF foundation geographically limits its grantmaking to the 28 states in which the railways have main lines and communities located near BNSF rail lines.
The foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications through its website throughout the year. Consult the foundation’s Grant Guidelines for details on how to apply.
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