Building Healthy Communities Grant Program FAQs

Program Questions:

We have an E.I.N. number but not a 501(c)(3). Can we still apply?

The Home Depot will only fund nonprofit organizations that are designated as tax-exempt under Rule 501(c)(3) by the Internal Revenue Service in the United States. Public agencies that are tax-exempt but do not have a 501(c)(3) letter from the IRS will be required to complete a W-9 form indicating their Employer Identification Number.

Are there specific types of organizations or programs that The Home Depot will not fund through the Building Healthy Communities Grants program?

The Home Depot Foundation does not make grants to any of the following:

  • Organizations that are not 501(c)(3) designated charities or tax-exempt public services
  • Scholarships or other direct support to individuals or families
  • Fraternal, political, labor, athletic or social organizations, civic clubs, candidates or projects
  • Religious organizations whose improvement project primarily serves their congregation and not the overall community
  • Sponsorship of events such as conferences, festivals, dinners, sports competitions, art exhibits, fundraisers(e.g. dinners, walks/runs/relays, golf tournaments and auctions)
  • Requests for our Kids Workshop kits and/or aprons
  • Capital campaigns, endowments or endowed chairs
  • Activities of organizations serving primarily their own membership
  • Institutional overhead and/or indirect costs
  • Film, music, television, video or media production projects or broadcast underwriting
  • Goodwill advertising or marketing
  • Research projects
  • Courtesy or journal advertising campaigns
  • Receipt of recognition or awards

What should I do if I want a small product donation valued under $25.00?

The management team at your local The Home Depot store may have resources available to support local community projects in the form of $25-off donation coupons. Please keep in mind that stores receive numerous requests from local organizations; unfortunately, they will not be able to grant every request. You can locate The Home Depot store closest to you by visiting www.homedepot.com and clicking on “Store Finder” in the top right-hand corner.

What if my nonprofit organization has ongoing needs for product donations?

In-kind product donations are handled through our Framing Hope program in partnership with Gifts In Kind International. Please visit www.giftsinkind.org/homedepot to find out how your nonprofit organization can be matched with a local Home Depot store.

How long does this process take?

The Building Healthy Communities Grants program has published cycles and all applicants will be notified in writing within 30 days of the close of the grant cycle in which they applied. The program is designed to assist nonprofit organizations whose community improvement project involves community volunteers and has been organized in a timely manner. For more information regarding deadlines, please visit the Building Healthy Communities Grants page.

Can my organization apply for a Building Healthy Communities Grant if we’ve received a grant from The Home Depot Foundation or have worked with a local store on a Team Depot project?

Yes. All requests will be considered provided that you meet the program’s criteria, pass the Eligibility Quiz and have completed a final report for previous donations received. Please keep in mind that we receive numerous requests for funding from nonprofit organizations. Unfortunately, we are not able to grant every request.

My organization received a Building Healthy Communities grant in the previous year. Can we apply for a grant now?

Organizations that were awarded grants in the previous calendar year must wait 12 months before applying for another Building Healthy Communities grant. 

Technical Questions:

What password should be used on the login page?

First time applicants must create a password, which will be used each time they log in to the application. Please make a note of this, as this information is not accessible to The Home Depot Foundation for security reasons.

After saving my application, how do I return to review, revise and/or submit the application?

When the applicant logs in for the first time an account is automatically created using the e-mail and password information used. The applicant will receive an automated confirmation e-mail providing them with a link to use to return to the application and their “My Account” page. Add this link to your Favorites for easy access.

Why can’t I return to the original link on your Web site to access the application?

Accessing that link again will start a new application and a new account.

I have entered my e-mail address and password and still cannot access my application or “My Account” page.

Please check your entries to make sure that you have not misspelled anything and make sure that you are using the same e-mail address you used to initially login and create your account. Should you continue to have difficulty, you will be required to apply again.

How can I save the application I have started and return to work on it later?

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and choose the “Save & Finish Later” button. Selecting the “Review & Submit” button will submit your application.

I have logged into my account and don’t see my application listed.

You did not press the “Save & Finish Later” or “Review & Submit” button upon leaving the application. You will need to start a new application.

I logged in as a returning applicant and it takes me to a blank application.

Upon opening an application, you must choose the “Save & Finish Later” button at the bottom of the page to save the application.

I forgot my password and clicked on the “forgot password” link and I get an error message.

The email address you are using is different from the one you used to initially login and create an account. The address is either misspelled or a different address.

Why do I see several copies of the application on “My Account” page?

Each time you open the application using the original link from the Web site and select the “Save & Finish Later” button you create a new application.