IBM International Foundation

Overview: In 2002 IBM reported total giving $126 million to charitable and education institutions in the US and throughout the world. The company says that 31% of this largesse (about $39 million) was in cash, the rest in technology, time, and other company resources.

Because the majority of these contributions were not awarded through a foundation and the company does not publish a grants list, it is difficult to use conventional measures of company giving or to use past performance to predict future behavior. What is clear is that IBM remains one of the most generous and well-respected funders in the world.

The International Foundation awarded more than $11 million in the most recent reporting period. However, more than 60% was used to match employee gifts for education. Another 15% was for international fellowships and just 8% was awarded for general support grants.

IBM Foundation's main focus is K-12 and higher education. They also provide smaller grants in the areas of Adult Education and Workforce Development, Arts and Culture, Communities in Need, and the Environment. They also have an Employee Giving Program and give to international organizations.

The corporation is particularly proud of its Reinventing Education program in which IBM works with school partners throughout the world to develop and implement innovative technology solutions designed to solve some of education's toughest problems. School districts are generally selected for a three year period.

Almost all of the Foundation and Corporate Giving Program's funding is awarded to organizations which are involved in one of the corporation's several partnership programs. The webpage is full of descriptions on how IBM works with each of these partnerships.

Find a program that closely matches your program and apply. Evidently, the IBM staff is open to discussion, but it takes a long time to find the right staff.


Adult training and workforce development: IBM has several initiatives in this area including: (1) Adult education and job training initiatives with organizations in six international communities, (2) Adult Literacy Partnerships with seven organizations throughout the US, and (3) The Solutions Network, a web site partnership with the Welfare to Work organization that connects welfare recipients with gainful employment and links businesses with welfare to work resources in their communities.

• Arts & Culture: By joining with libraries, museums, and other cultural institutions in exciting partnerships that leverage IBM expertise, we also demonstrate the critical role technology plays in enhancing the arts. IBM Foundation has partnerships with the State Hermitage Museum, the Egyptian government, and Educational Science Center in Thailand
• Communities in Need: Support for a range of civic and nonprofit activities that help those in need, including:
  
  (1) Teaming for Technology, a program designed to enhance technology skills and maximize the effectiveness of social service agencies
  
  (2) A computer software program with SeniorNet that will enable people with vision or motor difficulties to tailor how they view web pages, eliminating barriers that have kept the web off-limits to millions
  
  (3) Coordination with the American Red Cross and United Way on a worldwide information web site on global disaster and disaster relief efforts
  
  (4) Coordinated efforts with Gifts Inkind to donate used personal computers to nonprofit organizations.
• Education: IBM’s four principal education initiatives are Reinventing Education, KidSmart, MentorPlace, and Project FIRST, IBM The Reinventing Education program is in its third phase since its initiation in 1994. In 21 communities, IBM has made a substantial resource commitment to “tech up” teachers, classrooms, school buildings, and school systems.
• Environment: IBM's support of the environment promotes the optimal use of leading-edge technology to conduct environmental research to offer new knowledge and enhanced understanding of these important issues. IBM grants to universities through their International Environmental Research Program.

Application Procedures:: IBM's philanthropic resources are allocated to specific projects and programs that fit within our targeted areas of interest. The overwhelming majority of grants are initiated by IBM, do not stem from unsolicited proposals, and involve multi-year commitments. While not encouraged, unsolicited proposals are reviewed on an ongoing basis. If your organization chooses to submit an unsolicited proposal, please note the guidelines and address the requirements on the Foundation's website.

Nonprofit organizations or educational institutions wishing to submit unsolicited proposals to IBM should make an initial inquiry in the form of a two-page letter. In the event that the proposal is of interest to IBM, additional information will be requested. Videotapes and other supplemental materials are strongly discouraged at this initial stage.

The letter should include the following information: (1) Brief statement fully describing the mission of the organization, the amount of money requested, and the purpose of the contribution; (2) Description of the problem you wish to address, the solution you propose, and how IBM technology, and IBM volunteers, if appropriate, will be incorporated; (3) Proposed project budget with all other anticipated sources of income; (4) Plans to measure and evaluate program results; (5) Copy of an IRS 501(c)(3) ruling or other documentation substantiating tax exemption status; and (6) Name, address and telephone number of the project contact person.

Northeastern area:
Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Eastern Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Bethlehem, Reading, Allentown, Mechanicsberg, Scranton, Williamsport, for Western Pennsylvania: see Great Lakes area)

IBM Corporation
Corporate Community Relations and Public Affairs
590 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022

Great Lakes area:
Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Western Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh, Erie)

IBM Corporation
Corporate Community Relations and Public Affairs
18000 West Nine Mile Road
Southfield, MI 48086

Midwestern area:
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, St. Louis Metropolitan Area, Wisconsin

IBM Corporation
Corporate Community Relations and Public Affairs
One IBM Plaza
Chicago, IL 60611

District of Columbia:
IBM Corporation
Corporate Community Relations and Public Affairs
1301 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20005

Southern area:
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia

IBM Corporation
Corporate Community Relations and Public Affairs
4111 Northside Parkway NW - L09F21
Atlanta, GA 30327

Southwestern area:
Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming

IBM Corporation
Corporate Community Relations and Public Affairs
1507 LBJ Freeway
Dallas, TX 75234

Western area:
Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington

IBM Corporation
Corporate Community Relations and Public Affairs
425 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94105

Grants Paid

2001 ($11,292,796 )

2002 ($10,700,000 )

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