The foundation was established back in 1957 and since then has been supporting programs that focus on education and community improvement. Up to 2013, Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation has contributed more than $25 million to fund nonprofits’ charitable activities. The foundation is led by a 9 member Board of Directors, all of them representatives from various departments within Lowe’s, from store operations and employee relations to the legal and tax teams, contributing with their professional expertise and experience to the diversity of the supported projects.

Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation is running 2 main grant programs:

– Lowe’s Toolbox for Education. Each year Lowe’s is giving $5 million to fund improvements in public schools. Some of the supported projects include: technology upgrades, tools for STEM programs, facility renovations and safety improvements. Since 2006, the Program has provided improvements to over 5,400 schools all over the country;

– Lowe’s Community Partners. The goal of the Program is to finance nonprofit organizations that provide building renovations/upgrades, grounds improvements, technology upgrades as well as safety improvements.
A part of the program is Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteer initiative, which provides support to some grant recipients to help supplement the labor of projects. So, far Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers have supported approximately 1,200 projects all over US.

In addition to the programs above, Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation provides small grants (up to $2,000) distributed as gift cards from local Lowe’s stores to qualifying organizations with smaller-scale projects. Hometown grants are provided on a quarterly basis to the local community of North Wilkesboro and Mooresville, North Carolina where Lowe’s largest customer support centers are situated.

Each applying nonprofit organization must be a 501c3 approved organization and must pass an eligibility test. Passing the test doesn’t automatically guarantee receiving the grant; it means that the nonprofit organization will be considered. Grants range between $5K and $25K.

More information about deadlines for applying, restrictions and specifics is available at the Lowes website.