Grant Guidelines

Weyerhaeuser’s communities range from rural to metropolitan, with unique priorities and needs. Employees serving on local Foundation advisory committees develop funding priorities to support their particular community within the following focus areas. This allows flexibility for a variety of giving across our different communities, while providing a strong framework for the Foundation’s giving.

In addition to the community giving focus areas noted below, the Foundation will also consider high-priority national and international initiatives that are directly related to the sustainability and importance of working forests. Priority is given to programs that promote the long-term sustainability of forests that improve lives for people and the planet, including sustainability issues related to forestry, sustainable forest products, housing, improving ecosystems, and renewable, green energy.

Affordable Housing and Shelter

• Support the production and preservation of affordable, efficient and healthy housing, including organizations that provide affordable homes for working families, and organizations providing support that helps homeless families achieve permanent, stable housing.

Education and Youth Development

• Strengthen public schools in Weyerhaeuser operating communities and build relationships to become an effective partner in advancing student learning. Support district-level improvements to teaching and learning that promote student achievement and ensure more students graduate ready for the world of work, advanced learning and life.
• Support educational programs and organizations that enhance and enrich learning experiences for youth.

Environmental Stewardship

• Sustainable Communities: Includes projects that assist in green building efforts, energy efficiency programs, urban park projects
• Natural Resources: Includes the protection, conservation and restoration of natural resources, habitats, and non-urban parks, land restoration
• Climate Change and Renewable Energy: Includes projects that support climate change and renewable energy efforts
• Environmental Education: Includes projects that inspire behaviors of environmental citizenship and stewardship, educate communities on environmental issues, and provide environmental education programs for teachers and students that develop critical thinking skills and improve environmental literacy.

Human Services, Civic & Cultural Growth

• Support the economic well-being and health of our communities and their most vulnerable residents.
• Support programs that serve the basic needs of families, move people toward self-reliance and family sustainability, promote economic development, provide cultural enrichment, and respond to local emergencies or disasters.

In considering requests for support, the foundation gives preference to projects and programs from efficient and effective organizations that:

• Serve a broad range of community residents
• Meet our key areas of focus or an important community need
• Show strong support from community leaders and other funders
• Are sustainable and managed competently with a history of accountability, results, cost-effectiveness, strong leadership and innovation