2009 News Releases and Information

MOLINE, Illinois (November 5, 2009)— The John Deere Foundation recently approved a one-time grant totaling up to $1 million to be distributed to select community service organizations in several John Deere unit communities throughout the United States.

These organizations will distribute the funds to designated human service agencies within their individual communities in the next several weeks. The communities include: Horicon, Wisconsin; Augusta, Georgia; Coffeyville, Kansas; Des Moines, Dubuque, Ottumwa and Waterloo, Iowa; Greeneville, Tennessee; Thibodaux, Louisiana; Fargo, North Dakota; and the Iowa/Illinois Quad Cities area.

"The purpose for this one-time program is to address the increased demand for human services in these uncertain economic times," says Amy Nimmer, President, John Deere Foundation. "This additional support will help funded agencies meet some of the needs of the increasing number of people they are serving."

The Foundation worked with the local community giving agencies to develop an approach to identify and invite not-for-profit human service agencies to apply for the extra funding. Final decisions were made through the agencies’ allocation process. In most cases the funded agencies are providing food, shelter, utility assistance and counseling services.

"John Deere and the John Deere Foundation have a long-standing successful relationship with the United Way and other community giving agencies," continued Ms. Nimmer. "So it is logical to seek their assistance to make sure that this additional support will lead to the best overall impacts for individuals and communities. John Deere leadership in each unit community have been involved throughout the process to make the sure the best possible outcomes are achieved."

This one-time grant is in addition to the significant support the John Deere Foundation gives to these communities. In 2009, the Foundation made grants exceeding $1.8 million to community service organizations in John Deere communities across the United States. Most units also conduct employee pledge campaigns.

The John Deere Foundation was established in 1948. The primary philanthropic organization within Deere & Company, the foundation works within unit communities and supports not-for-profit organizations working the areas of Solutions for World Hunger, Community Betterment and Education.