Our Commitment to Community
At Grace, we know that strong communities create a strong world. That’s why, across our global operations, we strive to be a good neighbor and make a difference where we live and work. From hands-on service to philanthropic giving, Grace teams around the world make an impact every day.
The W. R. Grace Foundation
Since 1961, the W. R. Grace Foundation has supported hundreds of charitable organizations and educational institutions throughout the United States and Canada. Our giving focuses on four pillars that reflect our values:
- Science & Discovery: Advancing education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through scholarships and programs that inspire future innovators.
- Health & Safety: Supporting initiatives that promote well-being and protect families and individuals in our communities.
- Parks & Nature: Funding projects and partnerships that enhance natural spaces and habitats, creating opportunities for communities to connect with the outdoors.
- Employee Impact: Empowering Grace employees to make a difference through volunteering and matching donations to qualified organizations.
Employee Impact and Local Engagement
We encourage employees to support causes that matter to them and the communities they call home—individually and together.
Matching Program
The W. R. Grace Foundation provides matching donations to the charities employees care about most. In the U.S. and Canada, non-union employees receive $25 in seed funding when they join the company to donate to a charity of their choice, and they are also eligible for up to $200 annually in matching contributions
Employees in Action
Employees are encouraged to volunteer to support the communities where we live and work. Non-union U.S. employees receive up to 8 hours of paid volunteer time each year.
Our plant and site teams are deeply involved in their local communities, building relationships, supporting local organizations, and participating in events that foster connection and collaboration.
Here are just a few examples:
- Opening Doors for Youth: At our Curtis Bay, Maryland site, employees hosted high school students from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore for a hands-on career day—introducing them to engineering, lab work, and maintenance challenges that spark interest in manufacturing careers.
- Supporting Families: Volunteers from our Columbia, Maryland headquarters and Curtis Bay site spent the day at the United Way Family Center, cleaning playgrounds and organizing games for children.
- Providing Hurricane Preparedness Support: Pasadena, Texas employees helped equip residents with the tools and knowledge they need to stay safe in a hurricane at the Southeast Regional Local Emergency Planning Committee’s (SERLEPC) annual Emergency Planning Workshop.
- Caring for Children in Transition: Our Baton Rouge, Louisiana team collected 46 “Love Suitcases” filled with comfort items for children in foster care, supporting a non-profit’s mission to provide hope and dignity during difficult times.
- Fighting Hunger: Grace employees raised much-needed funds for No Kid Hungry through a company-wide fundraiser featuring a silent auction, bake sale, and chili cookoff—helping ensure children across the U.S. have access to healthy meals.
Community-Connected Grants Funding
Each year, the W. R. Grace Foundation provides grants to nonprofits in the U.S. and Canada that are connected to our employees and communities. To be considered, an organization must be referred by a Grace employee or by one of our sites. This approach helps ensure our giving aligns with our pillars and supports the places where we live and work.
Nonprofits interested in applying should connect directly with a Grace employee or local site team.
We do not accept grant applications without an employee or site referral.
Environmental Impact
Through partnerships with organizations like Tandem Global, Grace sites worldwide are leading nature and conservation projects that protect biodiversity and promote sustainability.
For example:
- Promoting Biodiversity in Baton Rouge: Since 2021, our Baton Rouge, Louisiana site has maintained a Gold-Certified Wildlife Habitat Conservation Program through Tandem Global. The on-site project features native cypress trees, turtle basking platforms, bluebird nesting boxes, and a butterfly garden. Employees actively monitor and catalog wildlife to ensure the program’s success and maintain certification.
- Providing Outdoor Education and a Nature Respite in Tyrone: Our Tyrone, Pennsylvania site created and maintains a Silver-Certified Wildlife Habitat Conservation Program through Tandem Global. Community members are welcome to take advantage of the nature trail, and every year, more than 600 students visit the trail as part of an outdoor educational field trip organized by the Blair County Conservation District.
- Creating Green Spaces: At our Chicago site, employees transformed an unused corner into a park with picnic tables and a butterfly garden—launched during Earth Day weekend with nearly 50 volunteers.
Questions?
If you have questions about our community initiatives or would like to connect with us, please reach out to us here: https://grace.com/contact-us/