Mentor Graphics Foundation
/OVERVIEW: This corporate funder supports education, arts and culture, and health and human services in the areas its employees live and work. The company is based in Wilsonville, Oregon.
IP TAKE: STEM education is a priority for this funder. Pitch an idea that gets K-12 public schools involved in STEM programs in Oregon.
PROFILE: The Mentor Graphics Foundation (MGF) is the grantmaking arm of the Mentor Graphics Corporation, based in Wilsonville, Oregon. It seeks to “enable companies to develop better electronic products faster and more cost-effectively.” Mentor is a Siemens business and a leader in electronic design automation software. The company’s foundation prioritizes local grantmaking in the communities where its employees live and work: Oregon is a major focus.
The three grantmaking areas are education, arts and culture, and health and human services. The foundation makes many education grants to K-12 schools that need funding for STEM education programs. However, it has also made education grants to colleges. As a tech leader, MGF often gives to help students participate in scientific projects and discuss scientific theories.
The foundation makes culture and arts grants to many visual and performing arts organizations, museums, and groups that provide cultural experiences. It gives health and human services grants to people with the greatest needs in the community, including disaster relief efforts and immediate basic human needs causes.
MGF grants are limited to $25,000 each, but most grants are $10,000 or less. Larger grants sometimes support returning grantees. But no grants will be under $1,000 or more than five percent of a group’s yearly budget. Along with the grant application form, grant seekers must provide a letter of introduction, description of the project, list of directors, budget, list of funding sources, amount requested, and supporting materials.
As a general rule, this funder does not support environmental causes, animal rights groups, capital improvement projects, religious organizations, fundraisers, sponsorships or campaigns. MCF’s board meets in mid-March to make grant decisions, so grant requests are due by the end of February to be considered for the current year.
Send questions about the grantmaking process via email to mentorgraphics_foundation@mentor.com. The general company contact phone number is 503-685-7000. Completed grant request forms should be mailed to Mentor Graphics Foundation, 8005 SW Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, OR 97070.
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