Corporate Giving Guidelines

We are committed to putting our people, products, and philanthropic capital to work where they can make the greatest impact on our society and our planet. One of the most effective ways we can multiply our impact is through strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations in the communities where we live and work.

Giving Focus

Our Giving Pledge states that by 2030, we’ll give 2 percent of NI’s annual, pre-tax profits to charitable causes in the form of monetary and product donations or discounts. To complement this initiative, NIers will spend 1 percent of their work hours volunteering in their communities.

 

To meet our pledge and advance the goals outlined in our 2030 Corporate Impact Strategy, we focus our giving in the following areas:

 

Changing the Faces of Engineering: We are committed to supporting aspiring engineers and increasing the diversity of the engineering talent pipeline. Each year through 2030, we will advance STEM education initiatives serving underrepresented or economically disadvantaged students. And we will invest $3.4 million globally in such initiatives over the next four years.

 

We support organizations who bring hands-on, immersive STEM learning experiences to economically disadvantaged populations, girls, people of color, and other groups underrepresented in the engineering industry.

 

Building an Equitable and Thriving Society: We are committed to increasing equity and wellbeing among our employees and in the communities where we live and work. Each year through 2030, we will support equity and economic opportunity initiatives through monetary and product donations and volunteering.

 

We support organizations dedicated to promoting economic advancement and reducing racial, gender, and other social inequities.

 

Engineering a Healthy Planet: We are committed to reducing our environmental impact and working with our customers and communities to promote healthy, biodiverse ecosystems. Each year through 2030, we will discount or donate NI products to organizations developing green technology and will volunteer for environmental initiatives.

 

We support organizations who are addressing biodiversity and/or climate change, especially in underserved and economically disadvantaged communities.

How We Give

Most of NI’s corporate giving is initiated through our annual grant application process. The deadline to apply for funding for 2022 is March 1, 2022. You can submit your application at any time during the year. 

 

To request funding from NI, please complete this application

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for a grant from NI?

Nonprofits can apply for funding from NI by completing this application

What is your application deadline? After I apply, when will I receive an update on my status?

The deadline to apply for funding for 2022 is March 1, 2022. You can submit your application at any time during the year and NI will select the award recipients and notify grantees by mid-May.

What types of organizations are eligible?

Generally, organizations that are certified as 501(c)(3) nonprofits in the United States, or the global equivalent, are eligible to apply for funding from NI. The following are NOT eligible:

  • Individuals
  • For-profit organizations
  • Disease-related organizations
  • Government agencies
  • Individual K–12 schools
  • Churches
  • Fraternal and political organizations
  • Athletic institutions

How do I know what amount to apply for?

Grant amounts vary by market and organization size. If you have previously received a grant from NI, an amount in that same range is a good starting point. While there are local variations, as a general guide, grant amounts in larger markets can range from $5,000 to $25,000. Grant amounts in smaller markets can range from $1,000 to $10,000.

What are your criteria for judging grant applications?

For all applicants, our criteria includes the organization’s local impact and ability to provide volunteer opportunities for NI employees. We also evaluate the diversity of each organization’s staff, leadership, and the population it serves. Otherwise, criteria varies by organizational focus:

  • Changing the Faces of Engineering: We focus our giving on PreK-Workforce STEM education initiatives. To be funded, a program must serve underrepresented or underserved populations (for example, girls, people of color, and LGBTQ+) to be considered for funding. We give priority to those who have strong partnerships with other organizations; provide immersive experiences, hands-on learning, and project-based curriculum; and offer the opportunity to incorporate NI products into learning experiences.
  • Building an Equitable and Thriving Society: Our giving criteria evaluates how organizations promote economic advancement (for example, affordable housing and microlending) and/or reduce social inequities such as those related to race and gender.
  • Engineering a Healthy Planet: We evaluate how organizations are addressing biodiversity and/or climate change, especially in underserved and economically disadvantaged communities.

Can I submit an application more than once in the calendar year?

NI will only accept one application per nonprofit, per calendar year.