Whirlpool Foundation
Whirlpool Foundation is the corporate philanthropic arm of Whirlpool Corporation, based in Benton Harbor, MI, focused on community investments under a House+Home strategy. The foundation supports scholarships, local community programs, microgrants, product donations and partnerships (e.g., The Washing Machine Project).
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A nonprofit or community partner whose work aligns with the foundation's House+Home priorities—housing, local economic development, youth/scholarship programs—especially organizations based in Michigan or with demonstrated Michigan impact.
Good Fit
- • Project supports housing, community development, or local economic revitalization in Michigan.
- • Request size matches observed range (from microgrants to multi‑hundred‑thousand or multi‑million strategic grants).
- • Willingness to partner with intermediaries (United Way, community foundations) or with corporate programs like BuildBetter with Whirlpool.
- • Programs that tie to youth development, scholarships, or local community services.
- • Capacity to provide clear project outcomes and community impact in Whirlpool’s focal communities.
Geography
Observed giving is heavily concentrated in Michigan (about 74% of dollars) but grants also reached recipients in roughly 15 states, indicating a primarily in‑state focus with selective out‑of‑state or national partnerships.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows a large and diverse recipient set (141 distinct recipients in 2024) that includes many small awards alongside several multi‑hundred‑thousand and multi‑million strategic grants, and a mix of repeat and new grantees.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of turnover exists—65 new recipients in 2024 (about 46% new) and 76 returning grantees—combined with public application information and a visible submission/contact route, supporting a high plausibility that unfamiliar applicants can access funding.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
