PPG Industries has announced plans to expand its investments in global communities where the company operates with the launch of a $10 million initiative called "Colorful Communities."
The program, which will focus on renewal projects that incorporate employee volunteerism opportunities, was announced at an event at Propel Hazelwood, a public charter school located less than 10 miles from the company's global headquarters in Pittsburgh. PPG announced its initial $50,000 Colorful Communities grant to the Propel Schools Foundation, accompanied by a volunteer effort by PPG employees to repaint Propel Hazelwood using PPG PAINTS™ products. The grant will fund the renewal project and support the science program at Propel Schools' eight elementary-level schools.
"Since our company's founding in 1883, PPG has been committed to supporting the communities where it has a presence," said PPG Chairman and CEO Charles E. Bunch. "Over the years, PPG has donated millions of dollars to organizations that make a positive impact in people's lives. Today, we're proud to leverage the best we have to offer – our people, expertise and products – to create brighter and more colorful communities."
The Colorful Communities program aims to enhance, protect and beautify the neighborhoods where PPG operates. Support for Colorful Communities projects will go beyond grants. Together with community partners and PPG employee volunteers, the program will support projects that transform community assets. Examples of projects include creating bright murals for libraries, repainting hospital corridors with uplifting colors and hiding graffiti on community buildings with a fresh coat of paint.
The program is currently engaged with a number of communities and expects to complete more than 14 Colorful Communities projects this year in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. In Alessandria, Italy, PPG has partnered with a community organization to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the city's Children's Hospital by using vivid paint colors to create a more positive environment. PPG also has partnered with an organization in the West Park neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio, to support a new youth center being established within blocks of the company's largest automotive coatings manufacturing facility in North America.
"PPG cares about the communities where our employees live and work, and we are committed to being a responsible business, employer and neighbor," said PPG Global Corporate Social Responsibility Executive Director Sue Sloan. "This commitment is reflected in the support we provide to projects that focus on education and community sustainability."
Support provided through the Colorful Communities program will be in addition to PPG's current community-engagement efforts. In 2014, PPG and the PPG Industries Foundation donated more than $5.7 million to hundreds of community organizations across 24 countries around the world. These investments focused on: education programs that teach young people skills needed to succeed in studies and careers related to science, technology, engineering and math, such as jobs in advanced manufacturing; revitalization programs for buildings and community spaces; and organizations important to employees through grant and matching-funds programs.
PPG Industries and the PPG Industries Foundation aim to create brighter, more colorful communities where PPG has a presence around the world. By investing in educational opportunities, we help grow today's skilled workforce and develop tomorrow's innovators in industries related to coatings and specialty materials. With the support of our workforce, financial contributions and PPG products, we help revitalize our communities. Plus, we empower PPG employees to make an impact for causes that are important to them by supporting their volunteer efforts and charitable giving.
