International Paper Grants

International Paper Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: International Paper Company Foundation
Last Updated: August 22, 2025

Summary

International Paper Grants focus on community engagement, emphasizing education, hunger relief, health & wellness, and disaster relief. They support nonprofit organizations that demonstrate good financial standing and effective management. Eligible organizations must operate in areas where International Paper has facilities. The foundation prioritizes local needs, particularly critical and environmental issues, while encouraging employee involvement. Ineligible entities include private foundations and those without a local presence. Applications are accepted through mid-September in the U.S. and Canada.

Overview

NOTE: All U.S. and Canadian requests must be submitted to the nearest International Paper facility via the online grant applicatio n In Memphis, TN funding requests are by invitation only. In the rest of the U.S. and Canada, applications are accepted through mid-September. International Paper Signature Causes Our global community engagement efforts focus on addressing four critical community needs: Education The future of our communities depends on the children, and therefore, we support strategic partners that focus on helping children succeed via a comprehensive approach to education. Literacy, particularly from birth through 3rd grade, is our primary focus because reading skills form the foundation for all childhood learning. Hunger We work with food banks and other agencies to address hunger and food security for children, families and seniors. These organizations provide meals, access to healthy foods and other programs in the communities where our employees live and work. Health & Wellness We engage our employees and work with agencies to promote healthy living habits and achieve measurable improvements in health and wellness. Disaster Relief We partner with agencies to help communities prepare for and to recover from natural disasters, and we use our Employee Relief Fund to support our affected colleagues. Limited Foundation funds are available in the following areas: Critical Community Needs Support is also available for other critical needs in the communities where our employees live and work. International Paper personnel at our facilities are in the best position to know local needs and are tasked with ensuring that donations are allocated based on the most critical needs. A project or program does not necessarily need to benefit the community at large, but it should impact an underserved sector of the population or serve a critical need. Significant Environmental Needs At International Paper, our entire business depends upon the sustainability of forests. We will continue to lead the world in responsible forest stewardship to ensure healthy and productive forest ecosystems for generations to come. We continue to improve our environmental footprint and promote the long-term sustainability of natural capital. The Company and the IP Foundation will bolster this commitment by supporting organizations working on forest, water, air and responsible sourcing issues. Employee Involvement We endorse employees’ community involvement efforts by considering applications from charitable organizations supported by our employees.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. We support nonprofit charitable organizations classified under Section 501(c)(3) or Section 509(a) (1), (2) or (3) of the United States Internal Revenue Service Code, Canadian-based organizations with Charitable Business Number Registration (BNR) or exempt operating foundations. Certain municipal, county, state and federal entities (such as a school district or fire department), are eligible if a fiscal conduit letter from an affiliated tax-exempt organization (such as a school district or municipality) is attached to the online application. The letter must state that the affiliated tax-exempt organization will disperse Foundation funds for use on the approved project as the Foundation directs. Sample letters are included in the application. Organizations must be in good financial and public standing, show evidence of competent management, have low administrative/fundraising expense ratios and manage nondiscriminatory programs benefiting broad segments of the community. International Paper does not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex, color, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. International Paper Company Foundation in North America supports U.S. non-profit organizations within the communities where International Paper has operations.

Ineligibility

If your organization does not have an International Paper location in the community, you are not eligible for grant funding. International Paper Foundation does not support private foundations. International Paper generally does not provide funds for:IndividualsSalaries, stipends and other forms of compensationMortgage, rent or utilitiesAcademic scholarshipsEndowmentsCapital expenses (building funds, real estate purchases, equipment, etc.,)Veterans, labor groups, religious, political groups or organizations that have as their primary purpose attempting to influence legislationOrganizations that discriminate on the basis age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, military or veteran status, national origin, race, sexual orientation, religious belief or any other classification protected by lawDonations or contributions to primarily benefit employees or families of International Paper, or pay for services, subscriptions, tuition, or membershipsSponsorships or advertisingMulti-year commitmentsTravel or lodging for groups or individualsMore than 20 percent of a charitable organization’s total incomeOrganizations less than two years old