Our people and facilities throughout the world support hundreds of community organizations, and our Caterpillar Foundation contributes to a number of causes. Since the 1950s, however, Caterpillar has made only one annual solicitation for funds to our employees, and that is for the United Way.

As of July 1, 2012 the Caterpillar Matching Gifts process will be changing. Employees/Retirees will submit matching gift requests electronically via the Foundation website www.caterpillar.com/foundation instead of the current paper form. Organizations will also be required to log into the website and approve all matching gifts requests for their organization to be eligible for the Caterpillar Foundation match. Please visit this website for more information closer to the July 1 date.

Matching Gifts Program

Matching gift forms are due to Caterpillar Foundation from non-for-profit organizations by January 31 of each year.

Matching Gifts Program Process Change: A Small Change Makes a Big Difference

In the past, Caterpillar Foundation Matching Gifts participants received a letter from the Foundation in the spring acknowledging the match of their gift. This year, donors will not receive this letter.

This change will help us conserve thousands of sheets of paper each year, and aligns with the Foundation's focus on environmental sustainability.

It is important to Caterpillar to support our employees and retirees in their contributions to worthy causes. To provide this support, we offer the Matching Gifts Program. Administered by the Caterpillar Foundation, the program matches currency unit to currency unit basis (one to one ratio) contributions made by employees, retirees, and directors to eligible colleges and universities, arts and cultural organizations, as well as public policy and environmental organizations.

Matching Gifts - Eligible Organizations

Educational Institutions:

Degree-granting, two-year and four-year public or private colleges or universities are eligible to receive matching gifts. The institution must be accredited by a nationally recognized regional or professional association and listed in the Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education. The institution must be recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. International must provide equivalent accreditation and not-for-profit equivalency.

Arts & Cultural Organizations:

Nonprofit arts and cultural organizations must be open to, and operated for the benefit of, the general public and have broad community support. The institution must be recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization or international equivalency.

This includes:

  • Performing arts centers: dance, drama, theater, opera, and music
  • Public libraries
  • Public broadcasting radio and television stations
  • Museums and centers of art, science, and history (including zoos and botanical gardens)
  • Historical museums or societies

Public Policy and Environmental Organizations:

Nonprofit organizations whose philosophy and goals align with Caterpillar's corporate strategies, and are operated for the benefit of the general public, will be considered for eligibility. The institution must be recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization or international equivalency.

Examples of organizations that could qualify:

  • Public Policy - Aspen Institute, CATO Institute, Council on Foreign Relations, etc.
  • Environment - The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, Tropical Forest Foundation, etc.

Examples of organizations that do not qualify:

  • Health and human service organizations
  • Civic organizations
  • Grade, middle and high schools

For further details on eligible matches and recipients, please click on the Matching Gifts Guidelines and Form link above.