Western Digital (WD) – Community Grants Program (2027)
$7,500–$20,000 Grants for STEM Education, Hunger Relief, and Environmental Programs
Western Digital (WD) partners with nonprofit organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and public schools to support programs addressing STEM education, hunger relief, and environmental conservation in communities where the company operates.
For U.S.-based organizations, community grant awards generally range from $7,500–$20,000. The first 2027 application round is open December 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027.
Importantly, the Community Grants Program is currently by invitation only. Organizations new to WD funding may submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) on a rolling basis. Qualified organizations selected by WD will then be invited to submit a full grant application.
Organization: Western Digital (WD)
Support Type: Corporate community grants
Funding Amount: Generally $7,500–$20,000 for U.S. grants
Geographic Focus: Select communities in California, Colorado, and Minnesota; additional international locations
Deadline: January 15, 2027
Application Status: Invitation only; rolling LOIs accepted from new organizations
New to corporate grant fundraising?
Read our Corporate Grants for Nonprofits: Ultimate Guide to learn how corporate funding works.
About the Funder
Western Digital, which operates under the WD brand, is a global data storage technology company. Through its corporate philanthropy, WD supports nonprofit organizations and community initiatives in locations where the company has a significant presence.
Its Community Grants Program concentrates funding in three areas: STEM education, hunger relief, and the environment.
Funding for WD’s grants program is provided through the Western Digital Fund, a corporate advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation.
What This Program Supports
Organizations must propose programs aligned with one of WD’s three philanthropic priorities.
STEM Education
WD supports organizations providing STEM opportunities to K–16 youth.
Programs may help young people build knowledge, skills, exposure, and educational opportunities in areas such as:
- Science
- Technology
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- STEM learning and enrichment
- STEM education pathways
Hunger Relief
WD supports innovative programs focused on alleviating hunger in local communities.
Competitive projects should demonstrate a clear local need and an effective strategy for increasing food access or addressing hunger.
Environment
Environmental grants support work involving:
- Environmental preservation
- Conservation
- Public education about environmental issues
Projects should demonstrate a direct connection between the proposed activities and environmental protection or community education.
U.S. Geographic Eligibility
For programs based in the United States, WD currently funds eligible organizations and public schools implementing programs in the following areas:
California
- Greater Bay Area: Alameda County
- Santa Clara County
- San Francisco County
- San Mateo County
- Santa Cruz County
- Orange County
Colorado
- Boulder County
- El Paso County
Minnesota
- Olmsted County
Programs must be implemented within one of WD’s designated geographic areas to qualify for U.S. Community Grant funding.
Eligible Organizations
Applicants must be legally recognized charitable organizations in their country of operation.
For U.S. applicants, eligible organizations include:
- Tax-exempt nonprofit organizations in good standing with the IRS
- Public schools
- Qualifying charitable organizations registered with Benevity
Organizations must also be registered on the Benevity platform to participate in the Community Grants Program.
Additional Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should be able to demonstrate:
- Strong program capability
- Sound fiscal policies
- Responsible organizational management
- Long-range planning
- Effective use of volunteers, where applicable
- An active and competent board of directors or similar governing body
- A project or organizational budget
- Financial statements
- A strategy for funding beyond the period covered by WD’s contribution
- A method for evaluating the results of the proposed project
Programs must also directly align with WD’s philanthropic priorities and operate within an eligible geographic area.
Funding Amounts
💰 U.S. Community Grant Awards: Generally $7,500–$20,000
Grant proposals are reviewed by local WD employee grant committees twice each year.
Actual funding decisions are competitive and are based on alignment with WD’s priorities, geographic eligibility, community need, and available funding.
Invitation-Only Application Process
The WD Community Grants Program is currently by invitation only.
This means organizations that have not previously participated should not wait until the January application deadline to begin the process.
Step 1: Review Eligibility
Organizations should first review WD’s Global Giving Guidelines and confirm that:
- The organization meets charitable eligibility requirements
- The proposed program fits STEM education, hunger relief, or environment
- The program operates in an eligible WD community
- The organization is registered with Benevity
Step 2: Submit a Letter of Inquiry
New organizations that meet the eligibility requirements may submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) to:
LOIs are accepted on a rolling basis.
Step 3: Receive an Invitation
Due to the volume of inquiries, WD contacts only selected organizations that meet its eligibility requirements and funding priorities.
Organizations selected through the LOI process will be invited to submit a full grant application.
Step 4: Submit the Full Application
Invited organizations may submit during WD’s designated application periods.
For the upcoming cycle:
📅 Application Opens: December 1, 2026
📅 Application Deadline: January 15, 2027
Organizations should therefore submit an LOI well ahead of the January deadline if they hope to be considered for an invitation.
Application Cycles
WD offers two U.S. Community Grant application rounds each year:
Round 1
📅 December 1 – January 15
Round 2
📅 June 1 – July 15
Organizations may submit one application per year.
Three-Year Funding Limit
Organizations receiving WD funding for three consecutive years are required to cycle out of the program for one year before applying again.
Organizations should factor this requirement into their longer-term corporate fundraising strategy.
Ineligible Requests
WD’s Global Giving Guidelines identify several types of requests that are not eligible for charitable contributions, including:
- Individuals
- Customers or other business partners or providers
- Grantmaking foundations
- Political organizations
- Organizations primarily focused on proselytizing specific religious beliefs
- Private educational institutions
- Organizations that fail to meet WD’s standards for ethical operation and social value
- Organizations engaging in discriminatory practices
Funding is discretionary, and meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee an award or an invitation to apply.
International Organizations
WD also considers Community Grant opportunities for qualifying organizations operating in:
- India
- Malaysia
- Thailand
Organizations in these countries should review WD’s Global Giving Guidelines and eligibility criteria and may submit a rolling LOI to GlobalGivingandDoing@wdc.com.
Only selected organizations are invited to complete a full application.
Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit
This opportunity is particularly strong for organizations that:
- Operate in one of WD’s designated U.S. communities
- Provide STEM opportunities for K–16 students
- Address hunger and food insecurity
- Work in environmental conservation or preservation
- Provide environmental education
- Can demonstrate measurable program outcomes
- Have strong organizational and financial management
- Are registered with Benevity
- Are comfortable beginning the process with an LOI
The $7,500–$20,000 typical award range makes this a meaningful corporate funding opportunity for locally focused programs.
The biggest consideration is timing: because new applicants must first submit an LOI and receive an invitation, organizations interested in the January round should begin outreach well before January 15.
Corporate Grants Guide Notes
Deadline: January 15, 2027
Application Opens: December 1, 2026
Funding Amount: Generally $7,500–$20,000
Focus Areas: STEM Education, Hunger Relief, Environment
U.S. Geographic Focus: Select counties in California, Colorado, and Minnesota
Application Type: Invitation only
New Applicants: Submit a rolling LOI first
LOI Deadline: Rolling
Applications Allowed: One per organization per year
Best Suited For: Established nonprofits and public schools operating in WD communities with measurable STEM, hunger relief, or environmental programs
Apply / Learn More:
➡️ https://www.westerndigital.com/company/corporate-responsibility/philanthropy
