Philanthropy
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.
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:
- Be a tax-exempt non-profit organization or public school in good standing with the IRS or global equivalent
- Show program capability, sound fiscal policies, responsible management, and evidence of long-range planning and effective use of volunteers
- Have a competent, active board of directors or similar governing body providing sound policies and guidance to the organization and its members
- 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
In addition, we require:
- The charity is not being recommended by a foreign official
- The charity is not owned/operated by a foreign official or close relative
- There are no deals that are contingent (either in fact or in appearance) upon the granting of the charitable aid
- Normal due diligence has been conducted to verify that the charity is legitimate and reputable, and financially stable
- The charity’s mission is consistent with the philanthropic priorities of the Western Digital Corporation (Education, Hunger Relief, Environmental Issues)
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:
- Individuals
- Customers or other business partners/providers
- Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, or national origins
- Grant-making foundations
- Political organizations
- Organizations whose primary function is the proselytization of specific religious beliefs
- Private educational institutions
- Organizations failing to meet Western Digital’s corporate standards for ethical operation and social value
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
Western Digital partners with nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) around the world to support programs in STEM education, hunger relief, and the environment. Through a competitive grant process, we fund organizations aligned with our philanthropic focus areas serving the communities in which we operate. Please review our program below for U.S. based organizations interested in applying for grant funding.
Please note our program is currently on an invite only basis. If you are interested in applying, please send all Letters of Inquiry to GlobalGivingandDoing@wdc.com. Letters are accepted on a rolling basis. If your inquiry is approved for further consideration, you will be notified and provided an invitation to complete a full grant application.
U.S. Community Grants
Western Digital considers applications from U.S. based non profit organizations and public schools offering programs or services in alignment with our philanthropic focus areas.
- STEM Education: Organizations providing opportunities for underrepresented and/or underserved K-16 youth
- Hunger Relief: Innovative programs focused on alleviating hunger in our local communities
- Environment: Work in environmental preservation and/or conservation, and the public education of such issues
The geographical locations we currently fund in the U.S. include:
- Greater Bay Area, CA (Alameda, Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz counties)
- Orange County, CA
- Boulder County, CO
- El Paso County, CO
- Olmsted County, MN
Proposals are reviewed by Western Digital employee grant committees twice a year. Our U.S. community grant awards generally range between $7,500 - $20,000.
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, we ask all requestors to review our Global Giving Guidelines for complete details on our giving policies.
We offer two application periods each year; 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.
Grant Application Acceptance Dates
Round 1: December 1 -January 15
Round 2: June 1 – July 15
For nonprofits that have been invited to submit a proposal, your unique application link will be available through an email invitation.
Questions?
For additional information please contact GlobalGivingandDoing@wdc.com
Our Partners
Western Digital partners with Benevity to process our grant applications and to power our employee volunteer and giving programs around the world. If you are interested in seeking support from Western Digital, we highly recommend registering your organization with Benevity to help streamline our consideration of your partnership.
Funding for our grants program is provided through the Western Digital Fund, a corporate advised fund of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.
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 has awarded more than $3 million in scholarships to encourage and assist students whose educational opportunities will be expanded by financial assistance.
Western Digital scholarships are one-time awards. The maximum award per recipient is $5,000 USD with a lifetime maximum of two awards.
We.care Scholarships
The We.care Scholarship was established to support the educational pursuits of Western Digital employee dependents by creating opportunities for them to thrive. In recognition of the breadth of talent represented by our employee base, this program is open to students of all majors and regions. 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:
- Applicant must be the legal dependent* of a regular, full-time Western Digital employee as of the application deadline. In addition, the employee must hold a support, professional or management track position level of 109 or below; or be a member of our manufacturing staff (levels 201-205).
*Dependent children are defined as biological, step- or legally adopted children living in the employee’s household or primarily supported by the employee. - Undergraduate student enrolled (or plan to be enrolled) on a full-time basis at an accredited four-year college/university for the entire upcoming academic year.
- Preference will be given to students with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent).
- All majors are eligible to apply.
- Students from all regions are eligible.
Program Timeline
| Application Opens |
Application Due Date |
Awards Announced By |
|---|---|---|
| January 19, 2024 | 3:00pm U.S. Central Time on April 1, 2024 | May 31, 2024 |
The application window for the 2024-2025 academic year has closed. Please check back in January 2025 for information on how to apply for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Questions?
We.care Scholarship Support: westerndigital@scholarshipamerica.org
U.S. STEM Scholarship Support: westerndigital-stem@scholarshipamerica.org
Our Partners
Western Digital partners with 3rd party providers, including Scholarship America, to identify students fitting our applicant profile, process applications, award scholarships, and provide support services to scholarship recipients. Western Digital will not have access to nor process the information within applications. Our partners are solely responsible for the protection of any information that is provided by the applicant. We encourage all applicants to read the privacy practices/notices/policies before using their service.
Funding for our scholarship program is provided through the Western Digital Fund, a corporate advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation.
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:
- Teaching and mentoring underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education
- Packing meals to support hunger relief worldwide
- Planting trees and picking up trash to help preserve the environment
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.
Reports and Resources
View our Corporate Responsibility documents, including our annual sustainability reports, to learn more about our environmental, social, and governance policies, initiatives, and certifications.