Corporate Responsibility: Community Grants Program
Giving back to the community is a part of our corporate culture and a direct extension of our core value of integrity.
The Principal® and the Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc. have embraced corporate responsibility by making philanthropic investments in the communities where our employees work and live.
Who can apply?
A variety of programs may be eligible for funding based on your non-profit organization’s location and core mission.
Geographic Location
Grants are available for organizations located in communities where we have a significant employee presence:
- Des Moines, Iowa
- Appleton, Wis.
- Cedar Falls, Iowa
- Grand Island, Neb.
- Mason City, Iowa
- Ottumwa, Iowa
- Spokane, Wash.
- Wilmington, Del.
Organizational Focus
Grants may be awarded to organizations whose core focus aligns with one of the following categories:
- Health & Human Services
- Education
- Arts & Culture
- Civic, Community & Environment
Health & Human Services
Health-related contributions focus on organizations that provide:
- Access to primary and preventative health services to medically underserved populations. Special preference is given to programs targeting care for the elderly.
- Programs that focus on wellness.
- Public health outreach programs.
- Programs that facilitate disease and disorder prevention/awareness and education.
- Substance abuse prevention and treatment programs.
Human services contributions focus on organizations and services that:
- Support community initiatives to strengthen families by building positive social networks.
- Assist families in their efforts toward self-sufficiency and financial independence. This includes financial literacy, affordable housing, and workforce preparedness programs. Special preference is giving to programs focused on financial literacy.
- Promote physical and social independence for older adults.
- Support youth development through mentoring programs, school readiness, and healthy baby initiatives.
Our contributions in education focus on:
- Providing access to higher education for diverse populations of students.
- Promoting areas of study important to the business objectives of the Principal
Financial Group. These areas include, but are not limited to:
- Actuarial Science
- Business
- Information Technology
- Accounting
- Finance
- Rewarding high performing students.
Our contributions in arts and culture focus on promoting the arts as a key component of viable communities. Special consideration is given to programs that celebrate cultural diversity and make the arts more accessible to all audiences.
Civic, Community, & Environment
Organizations and programs funded through this focus area include quality-of-life attractions, civic betterment programs that promote the vitality of communities, and organizations that work to protect and enhance the environment.
Grant Types
Grants may be awarded in the following areas:
- Program Support
- General Operating Support
- Capital Support (requires a separate application) - considered mainly in Des Moines, Iowa, and awarded on a limited, case-by-case basis.
Ineligible Requests
Awards are generally not made to the following:
- Athletes or athletic organizations
- Capital fund drives for hospitals or health care facilities
- Conference or seminar attendance
- Courtesy or goodwill advertising in benefit publications
- Endowments or memorials
- Fellowships
- Fraternal organizations (police, fire associations, Greek letter societies)
- Individual K-12 schools, except those where The Principal is the official business partner
- Individuals
- Political parties, campaigns or candidates, partisan political organizations
- Private foundations
- Retirement communities or nursing homes
- Sectarian, religious and denominational organizations, except for specific programs that are broadly promoted, available to anyone, and free from religious orientation
- Social organizations
Ready to apply?
Find out how to apply for a grant and where to send your application.
