As a corporate citizen in the communities in which it operates, Western Digital (WD) recognizes a responsibility consistent with its business objectives to respond to the needs of the communities in which it operates and where its employees live. 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 our organization, its leadership, and staff.  As such, WD has established charitable foundations to address global community needs on a regional basis.

The Western Digital Charitable Foundation, “WD Foundation”, a California nonprofit benefit corporation, was created in 1997 to support Western Digital’s philanthropic activities that support economic, social, educational, and health needs in our regional business communities within the United States. As such, WD Foundation grants are directed toward nonprofit organizations in Orange, Santa Clara and Alameda Counties in California, and Boulder County, Colorado. 

Western Digital Corporation (WDT) also supports global philanthropic programs through WD Foundations in Thailand and Malaysia.  Each region manages grant applications within its geographic region, based on local guidelines, legal requirements, and local customs. 

WD policy is that monetary contributions be consistent with both our corporate giving priorities and a defined target change of earnings. The budget is reallocated each fiscal year and will be reviewed quarterly against the Company's financial performance. 

Western Digital supports organizations that operate in the following categories and allocates the specified percentage of the annual budget for charitable contributions:

Emphasis is placed on supporting established and successful organizations in the community as well as new programs that may prove to be models for effective ways of delivering needed services.

• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Programs
• Innovation in engineering (electrical, mechanical, chemical and solid state physics)
• Personal computing literacy and science discovery

In addition to grants, Western Digital provides a matching gifts program, through a partnership with United Way, for employee donations made to educational institutions.  Private educational institutions may qualify for WD funding through the Matching Gifts Program rather than through Foundation grants. 

• Homeless prevention and crisis intervention
• Basic health care and basic needs services

• Environmental protection and preservation
• Community volunteer projects benefiting low income families and/or veterans.

Successful applicants will meet the following criteria to be considered for a financial grant:

• Be previously designated tax-exempt nonprofit organization as defined under Sections 501( c)(3) and 170 (b) of the IRS Code
• Show program capability, sound fiscal policies, responsible management, evidence of long-range planning and effective use of volunteers
• Have a competent, active board of directors providing sound policies and guidance to the organization and its members
• Maintain a list of corporate contributors
• Produce a budget, financial statements and a plan for funding beyond the period covered by the proposed contribution
• Show a method of evaluating the results of the proposed project
• Provide evaluations of any previous WD funded project PRIOR to applying for additional funding

• Western Digital does not provide repetitive annual grants or continuing support for organizations or programs. Applications from organizations receiving current or previous Western Digital support will be reviewed as a new request annually and evaluated in relation to other submitted proposals and budgetary considerations.
• Western Digital will not commit to multi-year donations.
• Western Digital does not provide funding for capital campaigns.
• No support will be extended to religious activities or programs that serve, or appear to serve, specific religious groups or denominations. However, if a proposal submitted by a church-based or similar organization falls clearly within program guidelines and is intended to serve as broad a segment of the population as the program of a comparable non-religious organization, we will consider the proposal on the same basis as others. 
• Support for private educational institutions will be managed through WD's matching gifts program and/or in-kind donations.
• Exclusions to review for contributions due to Western Digital Foundation Laws or Policies, federal laws or budgetary considerations include:
• Individuals
• Sports Teams
• Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, sexual preference, disability, age, or national origin
• Grant-making foundations
• Fund raising events
• Political organizations
• Organizations failing to meet Western Digital’s Corporate standards for ethical operation and social value
• Agencies whose service area is not included in the geographic regions outlined above

• A formal request on the organization's letterhead which includes:
  • A description of the organization, its name, address, telephone number, email address, web site address, and Executive Director's contact name
  • A brief statement of purpose or objectives of the organization
  • Specific dollar amount of request with an explanation of how the funds will be used
• A completed "Grant Request" form
• A copy of the organization's most recent tax-exempt ruling statement from the IRS (Does not pertain to educational institutions)
• A list of the board of directors, or board of trustees, and their affiliations
• A list of current corporate sponsors
• The most recent financial report showing the overall budget of the organization, including income and expenses for the last two years and the year in which the contribution is being sought. If the request pertains to a particular program, a budget specific to that program is ALSO required.