ENVIRONMENT | PEOPLE | SUPPLY CHAIN | ETHICS | PRIVACY
At Western Digital, we care! We prioritize giving back and responding to the needs of our communities, and we believe that more can be achieved when we do it together! Our philanthropic programs aim to make a significant impact by focusing our efforts. Emphasis is placed on STEM Education for underrepresented and underserved youth; hunger relief; and environmental issues. In the U.S., we also support programs that serve military families and veterans.
Global Giving Guidelines
Western Digital believes in our responsibility to be a good neighbor in the communities in which we operate, and a steward of our world’s resources. The quality of life and education, the well-being of our employees and their families, and the economic health of our society are of vital interest to Western Digital. As a corporation, we support organizations that improve education, support hunger relief, as well as programs protecting the environment and our communities according to the following giving guidelines:
I. Criteria
WDC requires that non-profit organizations and schools seeking support meet specific criteria to be considered:
In addition, we require:
Western Digital reserves the right to make funding and contribution decisions within its sole and absolute discretion and may alter these criteria without notice at any time.
II. Limitations and Exclusions
Western Digital’s charitable contributions are not automatically renewing in nature. If an organization receiving current or previous support from Western Digital desires additional funding, it must submit a new grant request. Such requests will be evaluated in relation to other submitted requests and budgetary considerations at the time of the new request, and may not be approved.
We will not provide grants or other charitable contributions under circumstances that are not permitted by or are in conflict with the policies of the Western Digital Corporation, applicable law, or budgetary considerations, which include but are not limited to requests made by the following:
III. Anti-Bribery and Corruption
As discussed more fully in Western Digital’s Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy (the “Policy”), which is available by request, Western Digital is committed to winning business through honest competition in the global marketplace. We adopt a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption wherever we operate and enforce effective systems to prevent it.
Accordingly, Western Digital and its officers, employees, agents, contractors and all others who perform services on its behalf are prohibited from promising, authorizing, giving or offering money, a financial or other advantage, or anything of value directly or indirectly to (a) a Public Official (as that term is defined under the Policy) with the intention of influencing that official and with the intention of obtaining or retaining business or any business advantage, or (b) a private person with the intention of inducing that person to perform his or her functions improperly where those functions are expected to be performed in good faith, impartially, or in circumstances where the person is in a position of trust. No cash, cash equivalents, or anything of value can be provided to a Public Official on behalf of Western Digital. Any contribution or support involving a Public Official, government agency or government institution requires the approval of the Western Digital Legal Department.
Community Grants Program
US Community Grants
Western Digital awards grants to nonprofit organizations and public schools offering programs or services in alignment with our key areas of support:
In order to best honor our commitment to the communities we serve during the COVID-19 crisis, Western Digital has temporarily revised our grant program to an invite only basis. Nonprofit organizations and public schools offering programs aligned with our focus areas will receive an invitation from Western Digital to apply for funding through a competitive application process a week before the grant application opens. Prior to applying, all requestors are urged to review our Global Giving Guidelines for complete details on our giving policies.
During this temporary change, we will remain focused on the geographical areas we serve:
Proposals are reviewed by Western Digital Corporation employee committees twice a year at each site for recommendations of approval or denial. Funding recommendations are then passed on for final approval through Western Digital Corporate Advised Fund.
Two application periods are offered each year with deadlines on January 15th and July 15th. Organizations seeking funding may apply once in any 12 month period. Community grant awards are limited to one per organization, per year. Organizations receiving three consecutive years of funding will be required to cycle out for one year before applying for additional funding. Our Community Grant awards typically range between $7,500 - $20,000.
Our US Community Grant application is temporarily available on an invite only basis according to the following schedule:
June 15th – July 15th, 5pm PDT
December 15th- January 15th, 5pm PST
For nonprofits that have been invited to submit a proposal, the application form can be accessed at: Western Digital Community Grants Application. Please be aware that clicking the link will navigate away from the Western Digital corporate website. You will need the access code provided in your invitation to access the application.
Paper applications are not accepted.
Global Community Grants
Western Digital considers applications for grants to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and public schools whose programs align with our philanthropic focus areas:
STEM Education
Hunger Relief
Environmental Preservation
We currently consider grant requests from the following countries outside of the U.S.:
The program offers the opportunity for qualifying organizations to apply for funding via a competitive application process. Priority consideration is given to organizations offering programs/services in proximity to Western Digital offices and facilities. Prior to completing an application, requestors should review our Global Giving Guidelines for complete details on our giving policies. In addition to our guidelines, applicants must be able to exhibit tax-exempt status equivalent to U.S. IRS 501c3 status.
The Global Grant application process begins with a Letter of Inquiry. Western Digital will consider letters of inquiry from NGOs that meet all our guidelines, including alignment with our funding focus areas and geographic restrictions.
Requestors can complete the Letter of Inquiry here. Please be aware that clicking the link will navigate away from the Western Digital corporate website.
Letters are considered on a rolling quarterly basis. If your letter is approved for further consideration you will be notified and provided with an invitation to complete a full grant application.
Product Donations
As part of our philanthropic outreach, Western Digital provides an opportunity for nonprofit organizations and public schools to request product donations. These donations may include new WD, SanDisk, or HGST products to be used for fundraising purposes such as raffles or auctions, or to supplement the technology needs of the organization.
Our product donation program is temporarily paused. While we are currently unable to accept requests for donations, we encourage you to check back here for updates. We look forward to bringing the program back in the months to come.
Western Digital also partners with TechSoup to provide products to nonprofits in the US and abroad. We encourage you to visit the TechSoup website to learn about Western Digital products that may be available through this partnership.
Global Disaster Relief
Western Digital has a long-standing commitment to helping others in times of natural disaster. When a natural disaster afflicts areas where the company operates or employees and their families live, Western Digital swiftly acts by providing financial contributions to relief efforts.
Our employees around the globe rise up during times of disaster as well, and their generous financial contributions toward relief efforts are often matched dollar-for-dollar by the company.
Giving Back Through Volunteering
Volunteerism is at the heart of Western Digital’s efforts to make a significant impact in the world. Throughout the year and around the globe our employees come together to volunteer in hundreds of ways, supporting causes they care about the most. You’ll often find us:
When volunteer activities are accomplished as a team, Western Digital employees are not only supporting the organization with their time and efforts, they also earn a cash grant for the non-profit partner.
The Western Digital Scholarship Program
The Western Digital Scholarship Program was established in 2018 to help realize the potential of future scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians as well as the dependents of our talented workforce. The global scholarship program awards up to $1 million in scholarships annually to encourage and assist students whose educational opportunities would be expanded by financial assistance. Because when we uplift students to reach their goals, we all win.
Western Digital scholarships are one-time awards. The maximum award per recipient is $5,000 USD with a lifetime maximum of two awards.
Western Digital Scholarships for STEM
Western Digital is committed to addressing access to STEM education for underrepresented and underprivileged students. Scholarships are currently awarded to deserving students in the following countries:
*Our program in Israel is through a separate partnership with Silicon Valley Community Foundation and ATIDIM.
Scholarship recipients will be selected based on academic excellence, demonstrated leadership in extracurricular and/or community activities, financial need, and the overall quality of the application.
Eligibility Requirements:
We.care Scholarships
Western Digital creates opportunities for our employee dependents to thrive through our We.care Scholarships. This program was established to support the educational pursuits of deserving dependents of Western Digital employees. In recognition of the breadth of talent represented by our employee base, this program is open to students of all majors. Scholarship recipients will be selected based on academic excellence, demonstrated leadership in extracurricular and/or community activities, and the overall quality of the application.
Eligibility Requirements:
Program Timeline
The application for this round has closed and we will resume accepting applications in January 2022. Please be sure to check back then!
Questions?
For additional information please contact GlobalGivingandDoing@wdc.com
Our Partners
The Western Digital Scholarship Program is a donor-involved scholarship fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF). Through SVCF we partner with key organizations including Scholarship America and ATIDIM to identify students fitting our applicant profile, process applications, award scholarships, and provide support services to scholarship recipients.
Download our Corporate Responsibility documents to learn more about our
environmental, social, and governance policies, reports, and certifications.
