Nordson Foundation
OVERVIEW: The Nordson Foundation broadly supports community development, early childhood development and education, human welfare, the arts and community enrichment in regions of the United States where it has a corporate presence.
IP TAKE: This is a fairly accessible corporate funder that accepts applications online; however, its grantmaking is somewhat geographically limited. Organizations that have a relationship with Nordson employees as volunteers may have an advantage. Deadlines and guidelines vary by area. Grantseekers should contact the foundation representative for their geographic region before applying.
PROFILE: The Nordson Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Nordson Corporation, a multinational adhesive and adhesive-dispensing equipment manufacturer. The foundation supports “results-oriented opportunities that prepare individuals for full and equal participation in the economic and social mainstream” and funds organizations that “cultivate educational curriculum and experiences that foster self-sufficiency, job readiness and goals to aspire to higher education.” Its main funding areas are education, human welfare, arts and culture, and civic.
Grants for Work and Opportunity
Nordson supports work and economic opportunity efforts through several of its grantmaking areas. For instance, some education grants support “exposure to programs that expand on traditional education,” “workforce preparation,” and “retraining for the new job market.” Human welfare grants support “lifestyle maintenance programs and activities,” “crisis intervention,” and “life transition opportunities.” Past grantees include San Diego Workforce Partnership, Georgia Council on Economic Education, and Project Goal, Inc.
Grants for K-12 and Early Childhood Education
Nordson’s education grants broadly support early childhood education, access to quality educational opportunities, exposure to programs that expand on traditional education, partnerships/collaborations with school districts, and “funding gaps not covered by public monies.” Past grantees include the Playhouse Square Foundation, United Day Care Center, and San Diego Ritecare Childhood Language Center.
Grants for Arts and Culture
Nordson’s arts and culture grantmaking prioritizes programs organizations that “actively seek to broaden the audience bases in Nordson communities,” “promote greater understanding among people via the arts,” and provide “educational enrichment for students” and “motivation for at-risk youth.” Its arts grantmaking mainly prioritizes the performing arts, especially music and dance.
Grants for Music
Nordson’s music-related giving broadly focuses on projects serving youth and K-12 without naming strategies. Grantees include the Contemporary Youth Orchestra, Atlanta Opera, and San Diego Children’s Choir.
Grants for Dance
Nordson’s past grantees for dance include the California Ballet Association, Dancing Classrooms Northeast Ohio, and Cleveland Public Theatre. Grantmaking here is not particularly developed or pointed.
Grants for Housing and Community Development
Nordson’s grants for human welfare and civic broadly fund human services and community improvement initiatives in its giving areas. It supports drug abuse prevention and intervention programs and “life transition opportunities,” as well as efforts to “improve the physical or economic environment” and increase civic engagement and participation. It also funds requests for cultural and historic preservation.
Important Grant Details:
Grants generally range from $5,000 to $50,000. The foundation only operates in select regions of Ohio, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Wisconsin.
The Nordson Foundation accepts applications online. Deadlines and guidelines may vary by geographic area. Grantseekers are advised to contact the foundation representative for their geographic region before applying. A list of representatives is provided on the application guidelines page.
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