The mission of the FedEx Social Responsibility department is to actively support the communities we serve and to strengthen our global reputation through strategic investment of our people, resources and network. Corporate resources include financial contributions, in-kind shipping services and coordination of volunteer services by our employees. Requests are accepted year-round and ...

Charitable Contribution Guidelines

Charitable Contribution Guidelines

The mission of the FedEx Social Responsibility department is to actively support the communities we serve and to strengthen our global reputation through strategic investment of our people, resources and network.

Corporate resources include financial contributions, in-kind shipping services and coordination of volunteer services by our employees.

Requests are accepted year-round and generally are reviewed within three weeks of receipt. FedEx prefers to contribute to specific program needs rather than special events or capital campaigns. Because of the large volume of requests we receive, we are unable to accept requests made via telephone or e-mail.

Applicants should review our guidelines to determine whether the organization or program is eligible based on our criteria. Selected charities must be registered  501(c)(3) organizations in good financial and public standing.

FedEx is especially interested in supporting nonprofit organizations that request: 5% or less of a total project budget; contingency grants; or seed monies with the thought that other sources will contribute matching amounts. Organizations must show evidence of competent management, low administrative/fundraising expense ratios, and a nondiscriminatory program benefiting broad segments of the community. We heavily weigh the potential involvement of our employees in groups that seek our financial support.

Pedestrian and Child Safety
Safety is a core value of FedEx, and it is the first consideration in all operations. We currently partner with the National SAFE KIDS Campaign to promote child and pedestrian safety around the world. We also support other organizations that work to enhance the safety of children and transportation systems.

Education
 Education is vital to the future of our communities and to FedEx. FedEx works extensively with programs such as Junior Achievement and Adopt-A-School. We also support organizations that enhance education in the following areas: technology, global economics and trade, cultural diversity and innovative programs that enhance learning.

Health and Human Services
 FedEx provides support for health and human service needs through our relationships with the United Way and March of Dimes. We also support youth development organizations and others that meet basic human needs.

Emergency and Disaster Relief
FedEx provides contributions and logistics/ transportation support for emergency and disaster needs. FedEx has established relationships with several relief agencies to help ensure that aid reaches people quickly and efficiently during times of crisis. These agencies include the American Red Cross, United Way International and Heart to Heart International.

Although requests are judged on individual merits, corporate funds are generally not available for the following:

  • Additional funds to organizations already under a multi-year commitment Athletic groups or activities, including charity-benefit sporting events
  • Beauty contest candidates
  • Complimentary shipping of items sold through fundraisers
  • Exclusively tax-supported educational institutions
  • Endowments or memorials
  • FedEx promotional merchandise
  • Individual needs, including scholarships
  • Labor or political organizations
  • Membership dues
  • Operational support for organizations that are associated with the United Way
  • Public or private elementary schools, secondary schools or colleges
  • Sectarian or religious denominations
  • Travel funds for tours, expeditions or trips

U.S.-Based Organizations
The Social Responsibility department will only review requests submitted . To  for a U.S.-based organization, you will be asked to enter the organization’s Tax Exempt Number, which will be automatically validated against the IRS database. You also will be required to include the following information in your application.

  • Brief description of your organization, including goals and population served
  • Overview of the proposed use of FedEx assistance
  • Explanation of why assistance is needed
  • Description of the area and population served by this particular project
  • Detailed information on your organization’s anticipated sources of revenue and expenses
  • Detailed information on how you will measure the project’s success
  • Detailed timeline

Please be advised that the majority of our charitable shipments are related to disaster/emergency relief. We grant only a limited number of other shipping requests that meet our guidelines and core giving areas.

Non-U.S. Organizations
Non-U.S. organizations should submit a request via mail. The request should include all of the information included in the list above. The request can be mailed to the address below. 

FedEx Social Responsibility
Attn: Non-U.S. Grants
3610 Hacks Cross Road
Building A
Memphis, TN 38125

Nonprofits Needing Volunteers
FedEx has Corporate Neighbor Teams which serve as community service ambassadors. These teams work with many nonprofit organizations and act as a clearinghouse for requests for manpower assistance. They serve the following areas: Arts, Children/Youth, United Way, Adopt-A-School, Junior Achievement, Hearing-Impaired and Civic Affairs.

Nonprofits needing volunteers should submit a written request outlining the following:

  • Brief description of your organization, including mailing address, phone number, goals and population served
  • Description of the project, segment of the community served, impact expected, implementation timetable and sources of its funding
  • Number of volunteers needed, brief description of each task, respective skills and volunteer man-hours required
  • Any other group or organization that has committed human resources to the project
  • Method of measuring effectiveness of project

The request can be mailed to:

FedEx Social Responsibility
Attn: Volunteer Requests
3610 Hacks Cross Road, Building A
Memphis, TN 38125

FedEx Social Responsibility responds to all requests in writing. Because of the large volume of requests we receive, we are unable to give any responses or confirmations over the telephone or email. If your request is selected for funding or support, you will be notified in writing. Not every request that matches FedEx contribution guidelines will receive funding. All contributions are one-time only unless otherwise stated.