Union Pacific Foundation
The Union Pacific Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Union Pacific Railroad; its Community Ties Giving Program awards local grants and supports key partnerships. The foundation is based in Omaha, NE (1400 Douglas Street) and is presented on Union Pacific’s official site with program descriptions and recent philanthropic highlights.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A 501(c)(3) delivering direct services or capacity-building within a Union Pacific operating community whose project aligns with the Foundation’s priorities (safety, workforce development, community spaces, local needs).
Good Fit
- • Located in a Union Pacific local operating community or demonstrating clear service to those communities
- • Project fits stated priorities (safety, workforce development, community spaces, direct services)
- • Request size consistent with common awards ($5K–$25K) or structured as a partnership/capital request for larger institutional grants
- • Demonstrated local impact and capacity to manage the grant
- • Willingness to apply during the published annual online application window
- • Standard 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
Geography
Observed grants in the latest year reached roughly 25 states, with in-state versus out-of-state giving near 46%/54%; the footprint is multi-state with a clear home-state (Nebraska) concentration.
Recipient Variety
The latest year funded 500 distinct recipients across many program areas (education, health, arts, community spaces and more), a high count of new grantees, and a grant-size distribution focused on many small-to-midsize awards.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of openness includes a published online application and deadline plus about 346 new recipients in 2024 (roughly 69%), indicating regular inflow of unfamiliar applicants and a programmatic applicant process.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
