UP awards $5.3 million in community grants

Union Pacific's Community Ties Giving Program has awarded more than $5.3 million in local grants to nearly 600 nonprofit organizations in 23 states, the Class I announced yesterday.

The grants provide funding in UP's priority cause areas: safety, workforce development and community spaces, while a smaller portion is allocated to assist communities with local needs across the railroad's system.

"By investing in high-quality nonprofits and programs in these cause areas, where our employees live and work, we achieve a step toward our mission of service while helping communities grow and prosper," said UP Foundation President Scott Moore in a press release.

Local grants provide funding ranging from $2,500 to $25,000 to local organizations. Recipients are selected through a competitive application process. The next local grant application period will run April through May 2020.