Pentair Foundation
/OVERVIEW: Pentair supports global development in the areas of WASH and education. Its U.S. grantmaking focuses on STEM education and water conservation.
IP TAKE: This straightforward corporate funder has recently focused grantmaking on WASH and education in develoing countries, while giving for STEM education in the U.S. Organizations offering out-of-school learning opportunities for K-12 and those involved with engineering education may find it worth their while to reach out with ideas, although most of Pentair’s grantees are large, well-established organizations. This funder does not accept unsolicited proposals at this time, but it does invite prospective grantees working in its areas of interest to introduce projects via email.
PROFILE: Established in 1998 as the philanthropic arm of the global water, fluid and thermal equipment protection multinational Pentair, the Pentair Foundation, supports the communities where it operates, naming water, education and community as its areas of focus. The foundation’s grantmaking supports global development in the areas of WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) and education. In the U.S., the foundation supports STEM education, water conservation and the communities where its parent company operates.
Grants for Global Development
Pentair’s global development grants support WASH and education initiatives in geographic areas served by its parent company. WASH grantmaking focuses on projects that aim to bring running water to underserved communities that lack access and organizations involved in the research and development of sustainable water usage. WASH grantees include Water Missions International, the Safe Water Network and Water for People. Global education funding focuses on increasing opportunity for underserved students in developing countries. In India, the foundation has supported Pratham and Opportunity International, which aim to expand education infrastructure and accessibility in poor and rural areas.
Grants for STEM Education
Pentair’s STEM grantmaking names opportunities for K-12 students and water engineering programs as areas of focus. K-12 grants tend to support out-of-school learning opportunities including local chapters of Boys and Girls Clubs, FIRST Robotics and Junior Achievement. The foundation has also given to educational programs run by the Science Museum of Minnesota. Higher education grantees include engineering and science programs at the University of California at Davis, California State University Channel Islands, Minneapolis’s Dunwoody College of Technology, Cleveland’s Cuyahoga Community College, the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and the University of St. Thomas.
Grants for Marine and Freshwater Conservation
Pentair does not name specific goals for its water conservation grantmaking but has supported several organizations involved in water conservation initiatives. Past grantees include the Friends of the Mississippi River and Minnesota’s Great River Greening.
Other Grantmaking Opportunities
Pentair has committed to supporting the philanthropic interests of its employees by donating $1,000 for every 25 hours of volunteer work to eligible nonprofits and matching its employees’ donations to nonprofits and educational institutions. According to the organization’s website, it also “considers grant proposals” from organizations serving the needs of the communities where the Pentair company operates.
Important Grant Details:
Recent annual grantmaking has ranged from $1 to $2.8 million. Pentair’s average grant size is about $20,000. Grantmaking prioritizes geographic areas where the foundation’s parent company does business, including India, Switzerland, Australia and the U.K. In the U.S., grantmaking prioritizes Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Ohio. For additional information about past grants, see the foundation’s recent tax filings.
This funder does not accept applications for funding. Prospective grantees working in the foundation’s areas of interest may email the foundation with information about their project for consideration.
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