Starbucks is committed to use their size to bring about positive change. They are on a mission to inspire and nurture the human spirit, and they encourage and support their partners’, employees’ and customers’ involvement in community service. In 1997, they created the Starbucks Foundation, and began giving back by funding literacy programs in the US and Canada. Today, they are still giving back through a number of different initiatives.
Starbucks believes in the importance of nurturing young leaders, and provides Youth Action Grants to do just that. In 2009, they awarded 71 grants, totaling $2.1 million, and were able to help almost 21,000 young people. They work with the International Youth Foundation and Youth Venture to help young people identify and address the needs in their communities.
The coffee giant is also involved in the PRODUCT (RED)TM initiative. Every time someone buys a STARBUCKS (RED) product, or pays for their purchase with a STARBUCKS (RED) card, a contribution is made to the Global Fund to help people living with HIV in Africa. Thus far, the fund has already generated contributions equaling more than 14,000,000 days of medicine! Starbucks also works with the Ethos Water Fund. Whenever someone buys a bottle of Ethos Water at Starbucks, five cents goes to the Fund to help support water, sanitation and hygiene education programs in countries that don’t have enough clean water.
Starbucks is also the first company to partner with V2V to create an online community of people who want to enrich their communities, their lives, and the lives of those around them. The V2V site has a list of actions, which is defined as, “the collaboration around an event that will enrich yourself and those around you.” There are currently more than 2,300 actions, and more than 24,000 members of the Starbucks V2V community.
Visit the Starbucks website to find out more about their commitment to the community.
