The Home Depot Foundation makes grants to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charities in the United States and to charitable organizations in Canada.  Support is given to programs and projects that align with the Foundation's mission and grant criteria.

To better support its mission, The Home Depot Foundation awards most of its grants by directly soliciting proposals from high-performing nonprofit organizations with the demonstrated ability to create strong partnerships, impact multiple communities and leverage grant resources.  In order to identify potential future nonprofit partners or respond to unique community revitalization opportunities, a limited amount of funding is set aside to be awarded through a competitive process.

Preference is given to proposals that include community engagement that result in the production, preservation, or financing of housing units for low- to moderate-income families that address as many of the following considerations as possible:

• resource efficiency in design, construction, and operations
• minimizes the depletion of natural resources, including timber and water
• designs and installs landscaping features such as trees and shrubs, that minimize demand for water and synthetic chemicals and reduce heat island effect
• reduces maintenance costs using innovative and durable materials
• uses more environmentally friendly building materials
• site planning with minimal environmental impact
• energy-efficiency and renewable energy use
• indoor air quality improvement, including moisture control and proper ventilation
• ensures smart site planning and land use

To maximize the impact of Foundation resources, The Home Depot Foundation only funds organizations and programs that meet the established grant criteria and provide all information requested in the Application.  In order to access the Application, an applicant must pass the Eligibility Test.  The Eligibility Test is intended to determine if there is a match between an applicant's funding needs and the Foundation's grant interests.  It is also intended to save an applicant the time is takes to complete a full application that will not be considered for funding because it does not qualify.  Due to the high volume of requests received, not every request that matches Foundation guidelines will receive funding. 

All requests are reviewed based on the Application Timeline below and all applicants are notified in writing via e-mail of grant decisions accordingly.

Application Timeline for 2008

Applying for Funding

Please follow the steps below for the next grant cycle:

STEP 1: Review the Affordable Housing Built Responsibly program information above to determine whether your organization or program is eligible under our criteria.

STEP 2: Review the FAQs.

STEP 3: Take the Affordable Housing Built Responsibly Eligibility Test. Click here to go to the Eligibility Test.

STEP 4: If you pass the Eligibility Test, you will be able to gain access to the Letter of Inquiry (LOI) questionnaire. The questionnaire asks you specific questions about the project for which you are seeking funding. Complete and submit the LOI online by the deadline. Foundation staff will review your LOI submission for alignment with Foundation goals, interests and competitiveness. LOIs received after the deadline will not be reviewed and declined.

STEP 5: If your LOI is approved, which you will be notified of within 2–4 weeks after the deadline, you will be instructed to submit a full proposal.  Foundation staff will provide you information regarding how to access an online full application.  Full applications must be completed and submitted online by the full proposal deadline listed above.

For additional questions regarding your online application, see Application Help

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