Working with Alcoa Foundation
At Alcoa, sustainability is an integral part of our culture and our core strategy including how we work with the communities where we operate. We share a “mutual sustainability” with these communities to build economic success, environmental excellence and social responsibility.
Alcoa Foundation invests where Alcoa has a presence to further sustainability and to partner communities in addressing local needs, particularly as they adapt in a changing world.
Alcoa Foundation makes investment decisions in consultation with community stakeholders based on the local conditions and priorities they identify.
Areas of Focus
Guiding our funding decisions and engagement priorities are four investment themes that are aligned with Alcoa’s overall sustainability approach. We believe that as a mining, manufacturing, and innovation company, Alcoa can contribute to, and make a positive difference in, each of these areas to the benefit of our many stakeholders.
- Environment: Bring about meaningful and systemic improvements in environmental sustainability by supporting research, dialogue, standards, and actions.
- Education: Support educational endeavors where Alcoa, as integration mining, manufacturing and innovation company, can offer expertise and make a difference.
Alcoa Foundation makes three types of investments in its priority focus areas: Direct Service, Capacity Building and Systems Change.
In determining where to invest, Alcoa Foundation looks for projects and non-profit partners with the following characteristics:
- Projects designed to produce measurable, long-term results
- Projects that can be effectively implemented and ultimately continued without our funding
- Projects that are replicable and can be shared with other organizations looking to produce similar results
- Projects that demonstrate their commitment to the inclusion of diverse and/or under-represented populations
To understand the results we seek in each of our focus areas, please review Alcoa Foundation's Guidelines.
NOTE: All requests for Alcoa Foundation funding must be directed to your local Alcoa office.
BASIC ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA & FUNDING LIMITATIONS
Organizations and programs generally must meet the following basic requirements in order to be considered for Alcoa Foundation funds:
- Programs or organizations must serve communities where Alcoa has operating plants or offices.
- U.S. organizations must be classified by the United States Internal Revenue Service as not-for-profit public charities and tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
- Non-U.S. organizations must either a) agree to receive a grant under an Expenditure Responsibility Agreement or b) operate as the equivalent of a U.S. 501(c)(3) public charity and complete the required affidavit to certify this status, as well as provide their organizing documents in English.
- Public educational institutions and government entities may be eligible for funds provided that the funds are used for charitable purposes.
- Programs must fall within Alcoa Foundation guidelines.
- The minimum grant request is US$15,000.
Limitations
In general, Alcoa Foundation does not consider the following for funding:
- Individuals
- For-profit organizations
- Organizations whose policies or actions are inconsistent with Alcoa’s non-discrimination policy.
- Organizations and programs which intend to influence legislation or elect candidates to public office
- Sectarian or religious organizations whose services are limited to members of one religious group
- Religious programs
- Social clubs or organizations
- Endowment funds; capital, equipment or development campaigns; or funds directed towards deficit reduction, operating costs/reserves, indirect or overhead costs
- Fundraising events or sponsorships (walk/runs, golf tournaments, sports teams, tickets, tables, benefits, raffles, souvenir programs, advertising, fundraising dinners, etc.)
- Trips, conferences, seminars, festivals, one-day events, unless they are a part of an approved program activity
- Documentaries, videos, or research projects/programs
- Private foundations
- Trust funds
