Wr Grace Foundation Incorporated
The W. R. Grace Foundation is the corporate foundation of W. R. Grace (headquartered in Columbia, MD) and supports grants in areas including STEM, health & safety, parks & nature, and employee impact. The foundation’s page on the company site explains its grantmaking approach and confirms grants are made via employee or site referrals rather than open applications.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A registered nonprofit working in STEM, education, health & social welfare, or community/urban programs with clear local ties to a W. R. Grace site or strong alignment to the foundation’s stated priorities.
Good Fit
- • Programmatic match to STEM, education, health & safety, parks/nature, or community development.
- • Local presence or connection to a Grace site or employee referral.
- • Request size that fits the foundation’s common small-to-mid grant amounts.
- • Preparedness to submit required documentation (IRS determination letter, basic organizational background, and financials if asked).
Geography
Observed grants in the latest year reached organizations in 16 states; while Maryland received the largest share (~35%), 65% of dollars went out of state, indicating multi-state/national reach.
Recipient Variety
The foundation funded about 101 distinct recipients in 2024 (102 grants), with a large number of small-to-mid awards and 60 new recipients that year, showing a broad and diverse recipient set.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of turnover is present—60 new recipients in 2024—and public email submission instructions exist, but the corporate site states grants are primarily made via employee/site referrals, so unfamiliar applicants may be able to enter the portfolio but selection appears relationship-influenced.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
