Grants Target Climate Change, Renewable Energy And Resource Conservation
The UPS Foundation (NYSE:UPS) has announced nine grants totalling nearly $2 million dedicated to environmental programs and organisations worldwide.
The UPS Foundation grants will address issues of climate change, renewable energy, resource conservation and other environmental causes that are championed by UPS volunteers.
“UPS employees are actively engaged in building stronger and more sustainable communities,” said Eduardo Martinez, director of philanthropy and corporate relations for The UPS Foundation. “Our financial contributions support the overall commitment of our people and our communities as they work to improve the planet.”
The UPS Foundation added environmental sustainability to its official philanthropic focus areas in 2008. Grants are provided to both U.S. and international organisations; local grants are recommended by UPS employee committees, reaffirming the belief that global issues are sometimes best solved with local solutions.
New grants include:
· The Nature Conservancy received $600,000 toward continued support for sustainable forests in China and Kenya, and for continued efforts in Brazil toward developing a carbon offset program through the sustainable cultivation of erva-mate, a highly marketable herb that thrives on the forest floor.
· The World Resources Institute was awarded $300,000 to support its "Green House Gas Protocol" initiative, a program to establish credible and effective emissions accounting and reduction programs. Funds will also support the New Ventures program, designed to spur environmentally-sustainable small and medium enterprise growth in key emerging markets.
· Keep America Beautiful received $300,000 to be used for its continued support of the Community Improvement Grant program for local affiliates. The program is focused on recycling, conservation, education and employee engagement, as well as the implementation of a centralized impact measurement software system.
· Earth Day Network was awarded $200,000, which will go toward its Sustainable Transportation Project, a K-12 education initiative that will provide sustainable transportation lesson plans, pilot tests of school-based biodiesel production facilities and a corresponding media communication campaign.
· The National Arbor Day Foundation received $150,000 for reforestation of 100,000 trees in Florida and Michigan, and support for the initial development of the Tree Based Energy Conservation Program.
· The National Park Foundation received $150,000 to support the Parks Climate Challenge program, a national parks-focused climate change educational initiative for 80 teachers, which will impact an estimated 8,000 students in the first year.
· The National Council for Science and the Environment was awarded $100,000 for its continued support of "Campus to Careers," a green jobs internship program for college students and graduates related to clean energy technologies, environmental services or sustainability at non-profits and businesses.
· The Student Conservation Association, Inc. received $50,000 for its College Conservation Intern Program, an annual, environmentally- focused volunteer initiative involving 2,400 students at 500 historical and natural resource sites across all 50 US states.
· Legambiente Liguria Onlus, in Italy, was awarded $49,000 to support the "Communicates the Environment" campaign, which aims to educate and encourage environmental awareness and natural heritage preservation through appropriate use of human and natural resources.
UPS (NYSE:UPS) is the world’s largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain and freight services. Since its founding in 1907, UPS has built a legacy as a caring and responsible corporate citizen, supporting programs that provide long-term solutions to community needs. UPS promotes community involvement through its on-going volunteerism and grant programs, environmental sustainability and corporate philanthropy. In 2009, UPS’s charitable contributions totalled nearly $100 million and UPS employees and their families contributed more than 1.2 million hours of volunteer service. The company can be found on the web at UPS.com. To get UPS news direct, visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS.
