At CN, our community investments are focused on making a
positive impact. We partner with organizations whose work
strengthens safety, supports people, and protects the environment
in the communities where our railway operates. We fund
not-for-profit organizations that address local needs, create
opportunities for learning and engagement, and contribute to safer,
more connected communities across our North American network. Our
approach prioritizes long-term impact, shared values, and
collaboration.
To help you determine whether CN's community giving program is
the right fit for your request, the sections below explain the
causes we support, what is not eligible for funding, key process
and timing details, and how to choose between applying for a
donation or a sponsorship
OUR GIVING PILLARS
Preventing Homelessness
Railroaders for Change is CN's new and primary community
initiative dedicated to the prevention of homelessness for
individuals and families in Canada and the U.S.
Through this initiative, we support organizations aligned
with our three focus areas:
- Changing perceptions through education and awareness
- Rebuilding connections to help people regain stability and
remain safely housed
- Advancing solutions through research to help prevent
homelessness before it occurs
Learn more by visiting our webpage:
www.cn.ca/rrfc
While preventing homelessness is our primary focus-and a key
part of our commitment to community safety - CN also supports
organizations aligned with its longstanding giving pillars of
Safety,
People, and the
Environment. Under these pillars we
support:
Safety
-
Emergency Management & Public Safety:
disaster relief and emergency response
-
Personnel Support &
Development: firefighters and law enforcement,
with a focus on training and mental health
-
Rail safety initiatives: injury prevention and
risk education
People
- Youth education, especially in skilled trades
- Organizations promoting equity, inclusion and belonging
- Health services, with a focus on accessibility and mental
health
Environment
- Climate change mitigation
- Clean water and biodiversity protection
- Sustainable forest management
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Due to high demand, CN must prioritize funding. We do
not support requests related to:
- Political activities
- Individuals
- Private or for‑profit entities
- Religious organizations
- Brick‑and‑mortar or infrastructure projects
- Initiatives outside Canada and the U.S.
- Arts or media productions
- Festivals or community events (BBQ, Picnic, etc.)
- Amateur or professional sports teams
- Playgrounds or play structures
- Daycares, public or private elementary or high schools
- Golf tournaments
- Animal shelters and rehabilitation
- Historical organizations (including museums)
- Initiatives not in proximity to CN tracks
APPLICATION PROCESS FOR DONATIONS AND
SPONSORSHIPS
DONATIONS
A donation is a financial contribution provided to support an
organization's mission. It may be directed toward a specific
project, initiative, or program (restricted), or used more broadly
for general operating expenses (unrestricted).
We offer two donation cycles each year to support a fair and
consistent evaluation of funding requests and to help direct
funding to projects and organizations with the greatest potential
for positive impact across our network.
Cycle 1:
- January 1 to March 31: Application period
- April 1 to June 30: Application portal closed for evaluation
of donation request
Applicants will be notified by
June 15 if their application is approved or
declined.
Cycle 2:
- July 1 to September 30: Application period
- October 1 to December 31: Application portal closed for
evaluation of donation requests
Applicants will be notified by
December 15 if their application is approved or
declined.
SPONSORSHIPS
A sponsorship is a financial or in kind contribution provided in
exchange for brand visibility and recognition. It typically
supports events or programs, and sponsors are publicly acknowledged
to highlight their partnership with your organization and
cause.
The application period for sponsorship requests runs from
January 1 to November 30, after which the request
portal is closed until January 1 of the following year. Please note
that the response time for sponsorship requests is approximately 6
to 8 weeks. Therefore, if you submit a sponsorship request less
than 6 weeks prior to your event, we cannot guarantee a timely
response.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO APPLY FOR?
Kindly note, we reserve the right to decline any request that
does not meet our eligibility criteria or that does not align with
CN's values, goals, priorities and budget.
