The International Paper Company Foundation concentrates its giving on children’s literacy, funding national-scale book ownership and reading programs that increase access to books. Its solitary reported grant supports Reading Is Fundamental’s Books for Ownership and matching-grant activities, reflecting a targeted, programmatic approach tied to the company’s business and community engagement priorities.
A recurring pattern stands out in the International Paper Company Foundation’s recent giving: large grants to Reading Is Fundamental for the Books for Ownership and matching-grants effort, alongside a wider set of community support tied to where International Paper operates. The foundation’s grantmaking also reaches schools, food banks, arboretums, and health-focused material donations, showing a portfolio built around education, basic needs, and local engagement. Recent grants include support for children’s literacy through Reading Is Fundamental in Washington, DC, as well as project funding for early learning and school-based programming. The foundation also backs organizations such as Earth’s Birthday Project in Santa Fe, Good Shepherd Community Center in Vicksburg, and Wreaths Across America in Columbia Falls, indicating that its support is not limited to one type of nonprofit. Corporate-connected giving appears in awards for donated products and program sponsorships, including menstrual health support and literacy-related event sponsorships. The foundation’s public grant record suggests a mix of cash grants, product donations, and employee-linked community support. It funds both program delivery and specific initiatives, with recipients spanning literacy, hunger relief, environmental education, and community forestry. Its giving is structured around practical projects and local needs rather than broad unrestricted philanthropy.
Children’s literacy is the clearest throughline in the International Paper Company Foundation’s grantmaking. It gave $350,000 in 2024 and $250,000 in 2025 to Reading Is Fundamental for Books for Ownership and matching grants, a program that connects books directly with children. Beyond literacy, the foundation supports outdoor and environmental learning. It awarded $50,000 to The Morton Arboretum for Children’s Garden and another $50,000 to Hoyt Arboretum Friends Foundation for youth education programs at Hoyt Arboretum. Those grants point to a strong interest in place-based learning for children. The foundation also funds basic needs and health-related support. Grants include $100,000 to Feeding America for fighting hunger across the US and $58,472 to Signet for donated materials for a menstrual health program. In addition, it has supported school-based and community food access through Atlanta Community Food Bank and Good Shepherd Community Center.
$3.4M
$76.4M
$4.5M
$3.6M
Most grants fall between $2K and $5K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$5K
About 2% of grants go to recipients in AL.
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Highly concentrated: a single large grant to a national literacy organization, indicating focused, program-specific support rather than broad or diversified giving.
Notable grantees: Reading Is Fundamental (RIF)
Typical grants cluster in the low thousands, with a p25 of $2,000, a median of $3,300, and a p75 of $5,000. That distribution sits alongside occasional much larger project grants, including six-figure awards in the recent record. The foundation appears to give through an ongoing corporate/community model rather than a one-off campaign: the same themes and some of the same recipients recur across 2024 and 2025. It is classified as a Regular Funder and accepts unsolicited requests in several of its active grant programs. The structure also includes employee matching gifts, and the foundation makes grants as well as product donations and support linked to International Paper’s community priorities.
Although the foundation is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, its giving is more widely regional. Alabama is the top state by grant count, while only 2% of grants go to recipients in Tennessee. Recent grantees are concentrated in U.S. cities such as Washington, DC; Atlanta; Memphis; Santa Fe; Indianapolis; and Portland. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 992 grants recorded in the United States.
Its recent giving centers on children’s literacy, but it also supports hunger relief, menstrual health, disaster relief, environmental education, community forestry, and library or school programs. Examples in the record include funding for Reading Is Fundamental, Feeding America, arboretum education, and donated feminine care products.
Most grants are relatively small: the typical range is $2,000 at the 25th percentile, $3,300 at the median, and $5,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also includes occasional larger awards tied to specific programs and partners.
Yes, several active programs list unsolicited applications as accepted, including the Community Grant Program, International Paper Scholarship Program, Community Grants, Community Grants / Local Grantmaking, Community Grants (International Paper), and the International Paper Foundation Grant Program. The RFP / Funding Opportunities track is not unsolicited.
Alabama is the top state by grant count. Tennessee, the headquarters state, accounts for 2% of grants, and the broader recipient footprint is regional across U.S. communities where International Paper operates.
Yes. The record shows repeated support for the same partners and projects across 2024 and 2025, including Reading Is Fundamental, Earth’s Birthday Project, Atlanta Community Food Bank, Hoyt Arboretum Friends Foundation, and The Morton Arboretum. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated awards.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from International Paper Company Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Charitable organizations seeking grant funding, donations, or contributions. Proposals should align with International Paper's signature causes and be located primarily in communities where the company operates and has a significant employee presence.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| READING IS FUNDAMENTAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2025 | RIF & INTERNATIONAL PAPER BOOKS FOR OWNERSHIP + MATCHING GRANTS |
| BONTERRA LLC | AUSTIN, TX | $128,896 | 2025 | INVOICE FOR: 2024-2025 CYBERGRANTS SOFTWARE |
| EARTH'S BIRTHDAY PROJECT | SANTA FE, NM | $102,500 | 2025 | 2024 BUTTERFLIES & SUNFLOWERS CLASSROOM |
| EARTH'S BIRTHDAY PROJECT | SANTA FE, NM | $102,500 | 2025 | 2024 BUTTERFLIES & SUNFLOWERS CLASSROOM |
| SIGNET | MEMPHIS, TN | $58,472 | 2025 | DONATED MATERIALS (POUCHES) FOR MENSTRUAL HEALTH PROGRAM |
| THE MORTON ARBORETUM | LISLE, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | CHILDREN'S GARDEN |
| MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BOARD OF TRUSTEES | SAINT LOUIS, MO | $50,000 | 2025 | THERAPEUTIC HORTICULTURE AND SHAW NATURE RESERVE CENTENNIAL |
| KEEP INDIANAPOLIS BEAUTIFUL INC | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $50,000 | 2025 | 2024 COMMUNITY FORESTRY, ENGAGEMENT, AND GREENSPACE WORKDAY |
| MINNESOTA LANDSCAPE ARBORETUM FOUNDATION | CHASKA, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | MINNESOTA LANDSCAPE ARBORETUM'S SCHOOL SERVICES PROGRAMS: FIELD TRIPS AND PLANTMOBILE |
| WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA | COLUMBIA FALLS, ME | $50,000 | 2025 | 2024 WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA |
| HOYT ARBORETUM FRIENDS FOUNDATION | PORTLAND, OR | $50,000 | 2025 | YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT HOYT ARBORETUM |
| ATLANTA COMMUNITY FOOD BANK | ATLANTA, GA | $50,000 | 2025 | INCREASED FOOD DISTRIBUTION ACROSS METRO ATLANTA |
| NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION & TRAINING FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | ENGAGING INTERNATIONAL PAPER EMPLOYEES IN NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY VOLUNTEER PROJECTS |
| GOOD SHEPHERD COMMUNITY CENTER INC DBA GOOD SHEPHERD | VICKSBURG, MS | $50,000 | 2025 | THE LITTLE PIGGY BANK |
| SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF ORANGE COUNTY | IRVINE, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL SECURITY IN ORANGE COUNTY THROUGH WALK TO FEED OC AND PERMANENT SCHOOL PANTRY |
| OPERATION WARM INC | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $36,000 | 2025 | COATS FOR CHILDREN |
| FOOD BANK OF NORTHWEST LA | SHREVEPORT, LA | $35,000 | 2025 | TOGETHER WE CAN SOLVE HUNGER |
| CAROLINAEAST FOUNDATION | NEW BERN, NC | $32,500 | 2025 | RENOVATION OF CAROLINAEAST REHABILITATION HOSPITAL'S PATIENT REHABILITATION SUITE |
| SIGNET | MEMPHIS, TN | $28,963 | 2025 | DONATED SHIPPING FOR MENSTRUAL HEALTH PROGRAM - SPRING 2024 |
| SIGNET | MEMPHIS, TN | $26,005 | 2025 | DONATED SHIPPING FOR MENSTRUAL HEALTH PROGRAM - SPRING 2023 |
| CHARLES T COTTERILL FOUNDATION CORP | MAYSVILLE, KY | $25,000 | 2025 | DOWNTOWN MAYSVILLE SPLASH PADS |
| MCRAAE LEARNING CENTER INC | SELMA, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | MCRAE-GAINES CAMPAIGN 2025 FLOORING PROJECT |
| BOTANICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF TEXAS DBA FORT WORTH BOTANIC GARDEN | FORT WORTH, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | NATURE RX PILOT PROGRAM |
| CEDAR RAPIDS PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION | CEDAR RAPIDS, IA | $25,000 | 2025 | INSPIRING BIG DREAMS: A CAMPAIGN FOR A NEW WESTSIDE LIBRARY |
| DALLAS ARBORETUM | DALLAS, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | STEM EDUCATION AT THE DALLAS ARBORETUM IN 2024 |
| WRIGHT CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | WRIGHT CITY, OK | $20,003 | 2025 | AVIATION/STEM |
| UNITED WAY OF NORTHWEST LOUISIANA | SHREVEPORT, LA | $20,000 | 2025 | DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY-DE SOTO PARISH |
| SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF CENTRAL FLORIDA INC | ORLANDO, FL | $19,643 | 2025 | FY2025 ANNUAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| FOOD BANK OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY INC | PHARR, TX | $19,643 | 2025 | FOOD BANK RGV EMERGENCY FOOD RELIEF 2024-25 |
| BIKE BOX PROJECT | NEW BERN, NC | $15,000 | 2025 | SAFETY AND EXPANSION |
| SOUTHAMPTON ACADEMY | COURTLAND, VA | $15,000 | 2025 | OUTDOOR LEARNING AND PLAY SPACES |
| CITY OF NATCHITOCHES EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION | NATCHITOCHES, LA | $15,000 | 2025 | DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY PARTNERSHIP |
| GLEANERS FOOD BANK OF INDIANA | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $15,000 | 2025 | HUNGER RELIEF |
| THE ARC OF LANE COUNTY | SPRINGFIELD, OR | $15,000 | 2025 | THE ARC PARK |
| WACCAMAW EOC INC | CONWAY, SC | $14,340 | 2025 | OUTDOOR LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS |
| SIGNET | MEMPHIS, TN | $13,683 | 2025 | DONATED SHIPPING FOR MENSTRUAL HEALTH PROGRAM |
| READING IS FUNDAMENTAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $13,000 | 2025 | RIF LITERACY KITS |
| CAMPTI COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER INC | CAMPTI, LA | $12,000 | 2025 | HEALTH AND WELLNESS |
| BEN D JOHNSON EDUCATIONAL CENTER | NATCHITOCHES, LA | $12,000 | 2025 | LEGACY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF ACADIANA INC | LAFAYETTE, LA | $12,000 | 2025 | GREAT FUTURES THROUGH PROJECT LEARN AT NATCHITOCHES BOYS & GIRLS CLUB |
| YMCA ROME & FLOYD COUNTY | ROME, GA | $11,000 | 2025 | LEARN, GROW AND THRIVE WITH THE Y - ANTI-HUNGER & ENRICHMENT PROGRAM |
| UNITED WAY OF THE COASTAL EMPIRE | SAVANNAH, GA | $10,900 | 2025 | READ UNITED BUDDIES |
| FOOD BANK OF SOUTH JERSEY | PENNSAUKEN, NJ | $10,620 | 2025 | KIDS THRIVE 365 |
| FEED IOWA FIRST | CEDAR RAPIDS, IA | $10,620 | 2025 | INCREASING ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOOD IN LINN COUNTY |
| COMMUNITY HARVEST FOOD BANK OF NORTHEAST INDIANA INC | FORT WAYNE, IN | $10,619 | 2025 | KIDS BACKPACK AND TEENPAK |
| BOYS CLUB OF BUENA PARK DBA BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF BUENA PARK | BUENA PARK, CA | $10,183 | 2025 | YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF LA HABRA | LA HABRA, CA | $10,182 | 2025 | EDUCATION CENTER PROGRAMS |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF TULARE COUNTY | VISALIA, CA | $10,182 | 2025 | TRIPLE PLAY: MIND BODY AND SOUL |
| THE LIVING VINE INC | SAVANNAH, GA | $10,000 | 2025 | WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE - TRANSITION |
| THE FOOD BANK OF CENTRAL LOUISIANA INC | ALEXANDRIA, LA | $10,000 | 2025 | CAMPTI MONTHLY MOBILE FOOD PANTRY |
RIF & INTERNATIONAL PAPER BOOKS FOR OWNERSHIP + MATCHING GRANTS
BONTERRA LLC
$128,896INVOICE FOR: 2024-2025 CYBERGRANTS SOFTWARE
EARTH'S BIRTHDAY PROJECT
$102,5002024 BUTTERFLIES & SUNFLOWERS CLASSROOM
EARTH'S BIRTHDAY PROJECT
$102,5002024 BUTTERFLIES & SUNFLOWERS CLASSROOM
SIGNET
$58,472DONATED MATERIALS (POUCHES) FOR MENSTRUAL HEALTH PROGRAM
CHILDREN'S GARDEN
THERAPEUTIC HORTICULTURE AND SHAW NATURE RESERVE CENTENNIAL
2024 COMMUNITY FORESTRY, ENGAGEMENT, AND GREENSPACE WORKDAY
MINNESOTA LANDSCAPE ARBORETUM'S SCHOOL SERVICES PROGRAMS: FIELD TRIPS AND PLANTMOBILE
ENGAGING INTERNATIONAL PAPER EMPLOYEES IN NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY VOLUNTEER PROJECTS
GOOD SHEPHERD COMMUNITY CENTER INC DBA GOOD SHEPHERD
$50,000THE LITTLE PIGGY BANK
FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL SECURITY IN ORANGE COUNTY THROUGH WALK TO FEED OC AND PERMANENT SCHOOL PANTRY
OPERATION WARM INC
$36,000COATS FOR CHILDREN
CAROLINAEAST FOUNDATION
$32,500RENOVATION OF CAROLINAEAST REHABILITATION HOSPITAL'S PATIENT REHABILITATION SUITE
SIGNET
$28,963DONATED SHIPPING FOR MENSTRUAL HEALTH PROGRAM - SPRING 2024
SIGNET
$26,005DONATED SHIPPING FOR MENSTRUAL HEALTH PROGRAM - SPRING 2023
CHARLES T COTTERILL FOUNDATION CORP
$25,000DOWNTOWN MAYSVILLE SPLASH PADS
MCRAAE LEARNING CENTER INC
$25,000MCRAE-GAINES CAMPAIGN 2025 FLOORING PROJECT
BOTANICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF TEXAS DBA FORT WORTH BOTANIC GARDEN
$25,000NATURE RX PILOT PROGRAM
INSPIRING BIG DREAMS: A CAMPAIGN FOR A NEW WESTSIDE LIBRARY
DALLAS ARBORETUM
$25,000STEM EDUCATION AT THE DALLAS ARBORETUM IN 2024
WRIGHT CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
$20,003AVIATION/STEM
DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY-DE SOTO PARISH
FY2025 ANNUAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT
FOOD BANK RGV EMERGENCY FOOD RELIEF 2024-25
BIKE BOX PROJECT
$15,000SAFETY AND EXPANSION
SOUTHAMPTON ACADEMY
$15,000OUTDOOR LEARNING AND PLAY SPACES
CITY OF NATCHITOCHES EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
$15,000DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY PARTNERSHIP
WACCAMAW EOC INC
$14,340OUTDOOR LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
SIGNET
$13,683DONATED SHIPPING FOR MENSTRUAL HEALTH PROGRAM
CAMPTI COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER INC
$12,000HEALTH AND WELLNESS
BEN D JOHNSON EDUCATIONAL CENTER
$12,000LEGACY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
GREAT FUTURES THROUGH PROJECT LEARN AT NATCHITOCHES BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
YMCA ROME & FLOYD COUNTY
$11,000LEARN, GROW AND THRIVE WITH THE Y - ANTI-HUNGER & ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
FEED IOWA FIRST
$10,620INCREASING ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOOD IN LINN COUNTY
KIDS BACKPACK AND TEENPAK
BOYS CLUB OF BUENA PARK DBA BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF BUENA PARK
$10,183YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
THE LIVING VINE INC
$10,000WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE - TRANSITION