At Greif, investing in our communities is more than a commitment—it’s part of who we are and how we operate. Today – on Global Community Engagement Day – we’re taking a moment to reflect on the milestones of 2024, and look at the meaningful collaborations, active engagement, and innovative initiatives we accomplished.
The Power of Community Engagement
We all know that giving back creates a ripple effect of goodwill and sustainability that reverberates across communities. And when our communities thrive, so does our business.
To guide our giving, Greif focuses on three core areas:
Education: Supporting the leaders of tomorrow by investing in scholarships, mentorship, and learning programs.
Health: Enhancing well-being and access to essential services for stronger, healthier communities.
Social Services: Addressing basic needs to uplift and support our neighbors.
These pillars are the foundation of our community impact strategy, ensuring that our efforts create meaningful and lasting change.
2024 Highlights: Progress Through Partnership
In 2024, Greif contributed over $1.3 million to support initiatives around the world. Highlights include:
Pelotonia: Our global peloton team had over 380 colleagues from 8 countries raise more than $285,000 for global cancer research, setting a Pelotonia record for a first-year team.
Greif Goes Pink: Our 2024 Greif Goes Pink Day saw record participation with over 3,000 colleagues—a 50% increase from 2023. For every colleague who wore pink, Greif donated $25 for the American Cancer Society, bringing our donation to over $75,000.
Columbus Blue Jackets: In 2024, we launched a new partnership focused on community impact through the Greif Blocked Shots Initiative and Power Play Challenge Program. With over 1,300 blocked shots, we exceeded expectations, raising $6,980. To amplify our impact, we rounded up the total, contributing $10,000 to support the Foundation’s community initiatives.
The Ohio State University: we deepened our partnership through impactful initiatives that reflect our dedication to empowering future leaders and advancing sustainability.
- Greif DC Scholarship Program: Launched a scholarship program with the Moritz College of Law, supporting students pursuing sustainability-focused careers.
- Formula Buckeyes: Beginning in 2024, we are now a proud sponsor of The Ohio State University’s Formula Society of Automotive Engineers team. Students construct a Formula-style racecar from the ground up and compete on both national and international stages. The team is leading the way in sustainable innovation by transitioning to electric vehicle technology, shaping the future of engineering.
Georgia Tech Athletics: Expanded our support with Georgia Tech, launching a new sustainability-focused partnership.
- Football Season: We contributed to Georgia Tech’s sustainability programs for every successful field goal.
- Basketball Season: Through the “Trees for Threes” initiative, we pledged to plant trees for every three-pointer made, advancing reforestation and urban greening efforts.
Our work in 2024 went far beyond financial support. We also provided essential resources and support to communities who needed it most. Highlights include:
Disaster Relief: We donated 60 FDA-approved Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) for water storage and 2,700 five-gallon gas containers to support recovery efforts in areas affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Community Support: We provided hot meals for first responders, waterproof drums for storing personal effects, and collected essential items to donate to victims of the flooding in Brazil and Spain.
Partnerships: Donated over 350 plastic drums to improve waste management at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.
Empowering Our Colleagues
At the core of our work are our Greif colleagues. With more than 14,000 colleagues across 37 countries, they play a vital role in bringing our mission to life. In 2024, we saw an increase in colleague participation across our community initiatives—highlighting the growing passion within our teams to make a difference. Building on this momentum, we are excited to expand our efforts even further in 2025.
We have several programs designed to encourage and support involvement:
Matching Gift Program: Greif supports colleagues’ generosity by matching their donations to nonprofit organizations dollar-for-dollar, up to $500 per person. In 2024, this initiative amplified giving, resulting in $60,000 of combined impact.
Community Volunteer Match Program: In 2024, Greif colleagues contributed over 1,500 hours of their time to support local causes. To amplify their impact, Greif provided a volunteer grant of $10 per hour for every hour volunteered, starting at just one hour. Through this initiative, we turned their dedication into meaningful financial contributions for the organizations they care about most.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate Global Community Engagement Day, we are inspired by the collective efforts of our colleagues, partners and communities. As we look to the future, we are taking steps to formalize the Greif Foundation. This will help maximize our impact by aligning resources, focusing on strategic priorities, and streamlining support for both our colleagues and the communities where we live and work. By strengthening our foundation, we can amplify the positive changes we create and set a solid framework for sustainable growth.
For more information about the Foundation and Community initiatives, contact:
Crystal Cassady
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
crystal.cassady@greif.com
