UP Awards More Than $5.1MM to Local Communities

Union Pacific (UP) is supporting 514 nonprofit organizations with more than $5.1 million in grants as part of its Community Ties Giving Program in 2022.

On Oct. 31, UP reported that 14 million people in underserved and underrepresented communities across its 23-state rail network will “receive support and service through these grants based on the company’s top philanthropic priorities: safety, workforce development and community spaces.”

Among the honorees are the Casa Grande Regional Fire and Rescue Department and House of Refuge, both in Arizona where 21 local organizations are receiving a total of $230,000; and the Boys and Girls Club of Chicago, Operation North Pole and Urban Initiatives, all in Illinois where 26 local groups are receiving a total of $452,500.

UP grants typically range from $2,500 to $25,000, and recipients are selected through an open, competitive applications process, the Class I railroad said.

According to UP, organizations receiving grants or participating in its key partnerships through the Community Ties Giving Program much demonstrate a commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) by 2023. Of this year’s honorees, 90% align with those values.

According to UP, DEI commitment should be demonstrated in at least one of the following ways:

• “Grant mission: The purpose of the grant is to advance the interests of an underrepresented or underserved population, or the grant will be used to advance the organization’s own capacity around DEI.
• “Target population: The grant will primarily serve an underrepresented population.
• “Grantee organizational structure and culture: The organization is taking actions to instill DEI internally and/or within its programs.”

“Local grants have the power to create meaningful change within the communities where our employees live and work,” said UP Senior Vice President–Corporate Relations, Chief Administrative Officer, and Foundation President Scott Moore. “We take great pride in the role the railroad plays helping communities thrive and believe the impact must be reflective of the diverse company we are today.”