John Deere Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The John Deere Foundation supports global development, community development and education in geographic areas of interest.
IP TAKE: This funder’s global development grants mainly support agriculture in developing nations. In the U.S., the foundation supports community development and education in the geographic areas where its parent company operates. The foundation supports a broad range of large national and small local organizations and schools. Grant applications are accepted by invitation only, but nonprofits working in the foundation’s areas of interest may request an invitation via email.
PROFILE: The John Deere Foundation is the philanthropic offshoot of the Illinois-based John Deere Company, a leading manufacturer of diesel-powered tractors, construction and forestry equipment. The company dates back to 1837, and its foundation, established in 1949, aims to “be a catalyst for positive global change.” Its areas of grantmaking interest include global development, community development and education. Most of this foundation’s grantmaking stays in the U.S., but the foundation has supported causes in developing nations where John Deere maintains business interests as well.
Grants for Global Development and Sustainable Agriculture
John Deere’s global funding focuses on agriculture and hunger, with grantmaking focused on “creating a world in which no one goes hungry and where every person has access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food.” Recent grantee partners include the Global Food Banking Network and the One Acre Fund, which received a $5 million Deere grant for its work supporting smallholder farms in Africa.
Grants for Community Development, Sustainable Food Systems and Economic Opportunity
The John Deere Foundation’s community development initiative aims to “create diverse opportunities for community growth by supporting economic development, resiliency and safety programs, and community relations activities.” The program prioritizes communities in the U.S. where John Deere maintains operations. Tax filings suggest that grantmaking focuses on basic needs including housing and food. In Illinois, where John Deere is headquartered, the foundation has supported the Grow Quad Cities Fund, Renew Moline and the Rock City Economic Growth Foundation. Other past grantees include several chapters of the United Way in Iowa, the River Bend Foodbank, Missouri’s Harvesters Community Foodbank and Habitat for Humanity of Wake County, North Carolina.
Grants for K-12 Education
Education is the John Deere Foundation’s newest funding initiative, and the foundation has thus far given broadly to K-12, higher education and out-of-school learning programs in areas of geographic interest. Higher education grantees include Augustana College and Iowa State University. In K-12 education, the foundation has supported Iowa’s Davenport Schools, Junior Achievement of Central Iowa, numerous scouting programs and Spring Forward Learning Center, which provides free out-of-school learning opportunities to children in Rock Island and Milan, Illinois.
Important Grant Details:
According to tax filings, John Deere grants are awarded in amounts up to $1 million, but the foundation’s average grant size is about $25,000, and it makes over $14 million in grants each year. For additional information about past grantmaking, see the foundation’s recent tax filings.
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