Omaha, Neb. - Union Pacific today unveiled its Community Ties Giving Program, which increases its overall community giving to more than $20 million. Designed to support two primary giving pillars – local grants and key partnerships – the company's philanthropic outreach aligns with its longstanding commitment to Building America.

"For more than 150 years, Union Pacific has served as an economic engine, improving the lives of millions across the United States," said Scott Moore, senior vice president and chief administrative officer. "The Community Ties Giving Program builds on that foundation, funding programs to support safe, prosperous and vibrant communities where our employees live and work."

Each pillar of Union Pacific's giving program supports one or more of the following social impact goals:

  • Safety: Helping communities prevent and prepare for accidents and emergencies.
  • Workforce Development: Providing job opportunity awareness and education for the next generation of skilled workers.
  • Community Spaces: Building and enhancing neighborhoods, parks and other unique spaces contributing to a community's identity and preserving its history.

Local grants in various amounts will be awarded to select nonprofit organizations whose objectives fulfill Union Pacific's social impact goals. The next application period will run April through May 2018.

Key partnerships incorporate two subgroups, regional and national, and provide large-scale, targeted grants intended to achieve significant, measurable and sustainable impact in our communities. Following a nationwide search, Safe Kids Worldwide, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and the National Park Foundation were selected as national key partners, each receiving $1 million in 2018. Regional partners will be selected only by invitation.

"Union Pacific is proud to partner with these world-class nonprofit organizations, empowering communities to create a safer place for children and families, bring economic prosperity and wellbeing to our neighborhoods and explore boundless opportunities through one of our country's greatest treasures – national parks," Moore said.