Whirlpool Foundation
Making real, positive differences in our communities by building strong foundations and unlocking potential.
More than half a century ago, Louis and Frederick Upton, two of Whirlpool Corporation’s founders, established the Whirlpool Foundation with a commitment to reinvest in the community. Their intent was to provide financial leadership support for nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life in the communities where Whirlpool operates. Whirlpool Foundation will keep that decades-old promise, using new and innovative ways to make a lasting impact on society, with an emphasis on our home communities.
In addition to our formal programs, the Whirlpool Foundation addresses community issues through collaboration with leading community organizations to best leverage resources and broaden the impact of change and improvement.
For more information about the Whirlpool Foundation work in the community, see our latest Sustainability Report
Community Support
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Michigan
With its annual charity golf outing, over $1,300,000 or 65% of the private funds for the Club’s operations have been contributed. Whirlpool has contributed over $20 million in the Boys and Girls Club operations in the past 12 years.
Harbor Habitat for Humanity
Whirlpool provides $100,000 per year to the local Habitat for Humanity chapter for operations and home building.
First Tee of Benton Harbor
Over $225,000 is provided annually to support the education and programming for over 3,800 diverse youth annually.
United Way
Whirlpool Foundation and its employees contribute over $4 million annually for the United Way of Southwest Michigan.
Mosaic CCDA
Provide $50,000 in micro grant funding to provide technical assistance to five local entrepreneurs through a business accelerator program and support the Mosaic Transformation Center, helping people overcome poverty by becoming agents of change and providing barrier removal services including food, housing, transportation and workforce development opportunities.
Sons & Daughters Scholarships
Whirlpool Foundation annually recognizes and rewards children of employees for academic and personal achievements, leadership and community involvement. Since the first two scholarships in January of 1952, Whirlpool Foundation has provided more than 2,100 scholarships and honor awards worth over $17 million dollars to children of employees. Currently, over 100 Whirlpool Foundation scholarship and award recipients are pursuing degrees across the nation.
Disaster Relief
When natural disasters occur, our people are among the first to respond. During emergencies, Whirlpool Corporation collaborates with disaster relief agencies such as the Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity and supports employee/retiree giving.