Everyone who visits our Kennecott Visitor Experience is positively impacting our community, as all proceeds from the ticket sales are donated to the Kennecott Charitable Foundation.

The Kennecott Charitable Foundation (the “Foundation”) is a non-profit corporate foundation that aims to help Utah residents. This includes supporting charities and non-profits that assist vulnerable populations in the Salt Lake region such as those suffering financial hardships, the unhoused, people with disabilities, children in need, veterans, senior citizens, and people struggling with illness and disease.

Since its inception in 1992, the Kennecott Charitable Foundation has been dedicated to making a positive impact on Utah residents and the community and has donated over $3.3 million to more than 200 local non-profit organizations that assist vulnerable populations in the Salt Lake region.

The Foundation raises money for worthy organizations through tax-deductible entrance fees to the Kennecott Visitor Experience. The Bingham Canyon Lions Club contributes additional funds to the Foundation from items sold at the gift shop. The Foundation is made up of 9 trustees, the Foundation Trustees from the greater Salt Lake Area, and select current and retired Kennecott employees. Board members come from the southwestern part of the Salt Lake Valley, Magna and Copperton, and also include representatives from educational and religious communities.

The program seeks to primarily support the underserved population in Salt Lake County and Tooele County, with a particular emphasis on communities adjacent to Kennecott's operations.

How to apply

All applicants must complete the Kennecott Charitable Foundation grant application.

Alternatively, please email the application and attachments.

The deadline for the grant application is 21 November 2025. Once applications are received, Foundation Trustees then meet to determine eligibility and funding amounts. 

  • Giving Program

    The Foundation’s Giving Program is designed to assist local non-profits to meet specific needs in 5 primary areas: poor and unhoused, people with disabilities, children in need, the elderly, and community health.  

    While the Foundation generously funds many charities and non-profit organizations each year, it is impossible to fund every request received. Due to limited resources, we fund projects and programs that demonstrate, in our sole discretion, excellence, accountability, and provide assistance to their clients. The Foundation aims to provide grants to charities and non-profits that have strong community support.

    Poor and unhoused

    The Foundation supports organizations looking to provide resources for those suffering financial hardships and the unhoused by providing grants that respond to basic life needs and improve the quality of life. We support programs for the unhoused, food banks, job training assistance, and skills to be self-sufficient. 

    People with disabilities 

    The Foundation supports people with disabilities by providing grants to organizations that provide services, equipment, healthcare, rehabilitation, job and skills training, and summer camps. 

    Children in need

    The Foundation supports non-profits that promote the health and wellbeing of children through parenting programs, prevention programs for at-risk youth, and assistance to children in need including basic necessities likebooks, glasses, shoes, and clothes. 

    The elderly 

    The Foundation aims to support the elderly by giving to programs that support senior centers and provide services like meals, social activities, and relief for caretakers. 

    Community health 

    The Foundation aims to contribute to programs that promote the health and wellbeing of at-risk populations, access to low-cost or free medical and dental services, camps for children with health issues, mental health services, substance abuse treatment programs, and crisis or respite nursery care. 

  • Request amount

    Requests in excess of $5,000 per organization will not be considered. 

    Geographic area of grant focus 

    Priority is given to local organizations and programs adjacent to our Kennecott operations in the Greater Salt Lake Region.  

    Application eligibility  

    Grants are only given to charities and non-profit organizations certified as tax-exempt under Sections 501(c) (3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and are classified as "not a private foundation" under Section 509(a). A copy of the tax-exempt determination letter from the IRS must be provided with the grant application. 

    Grants are not given:

    • For deficits or debt reduction.
    • For indirect/administrative costs.
    • For endowment funds.
    • To sectarian religious activities, political lobbying, or legislative activities.
    • To institutions that discriminate on the basis of race, creed, gender, or sexual orientation in policy or in practice.
    • For loans, scholarships, fellowships, or grants to individuals. The Foundation supports individuals by providing grants to organizations that provide services, equipment, healthcare, rehabilitation, job training skills, summer camps and training. 

    Please note that organizations that use a post office box as their official address will not be considered as valid.

     

Haul trucks at Kennecott copper mine

Rio Tinto Kennecott visitor experience

The Visitor Experience is a self-guided tour that shows the ins and outs of Kennecott’s mining operation and features a dramatic view of the massive open pit. Please visit the website to learn more and purchase tickets.
Two employees looking out at Rio Tinto Kennecott mine

Kennecott Charitable Foundation

A Utah-based charitable organisation committed to positively impacting Utah residents and the community since its inception in 1992.
Solar panels

Copper

From the days of antiquity, copper has been used for its many benefits