More than half a century ago, Louis and Frederick Upton, two of Whirlpool Corporation's founders, established Whirlpool Foundation and made a commitment—a promise—to—reinvest in the community. Their intent was to provide financial and leadership support for nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life in the communities where Whirlpool operated.
The company knew, even then, the importance of giving back and helping others reach their fullest potential. This is a tradition Whirlpool has continued. Whirlpool Foundation is keeping that decades-old promise in new and innovative ways.
Whirlpool Foundation Vision
Whirlpool Foundation will contribute to the global social concerns found in our home communities through grants, volunteerism and leadership. The contribution of these resources will enable our company to express and demonstrate our spirit of social responsibility by investing back into the very communities that drive our success.
Today, Whirlpool Foundation addresses community issues with a global approach that better leverages resources and broadens the impact of change and improvement. Since the foundation's founding, hundreds of organizations and programs have benefited from more than $128 million in grants. In 2007 alone, the Whirlpool and Maytag Foundations donated more than $9.2 million to community organizations.
As Whirlpool Corporation grows, so does the global community that Whirlpool Foundation hopes to impact. The Foundation touches lives around the world through its collaboration with countless organizations. Through its strategic grants, Whirlpool Foundation has focused on identifying outstanding programs that are centered on quality family life, cultural diversity and lifelong learning.
The Foundation will successfully contribute to global social concerns because of the support and participation of our partners and employees. Our partnerships are crucial to helping so many people realize their promise.
Whirlpool Foundation makes grants to IRS-certified nonprofit organizations in communities where Whirlpool Corporation operates. Typically, the Foundation makes only one grant to a single program in each year and is unable to provide grants to individuals or grants to:
- Organizations that request support for a conference or seminar.
- Religious or theological schools or other religion-related groups training individuals for religious professions.
- Organizations that request support for political causes.
- Social, labor, veterans, alumni or fraternal organizations serving a limited constituency.
- Organizations seeking "bail-out" contributions to cover deficits in their operating budgets.
- Organizations seeking capital or endowment support.
- Athletic associations or sporting events.
- Organizations seeking goodwill advertisements for fundraising benefits or program books.
- Tickets for testimonials or similar benefit events for which only a fraction of the ticket prices goes to the designated nonprofit sponsor.
- National groups whose local chapters have already received support.
- United Way member agencies seeking general operating support.