Vulcan Materials Company Foundation
"HELPING BUILD STRONGER COMMUNITIES"
Mission
The Mission Statement of Vulcan Materials Company states that Vulcan “will be a good corporate citizen in each community in which we operate. We will support and take an active part in public and charitable projects.” Vulcan established the Vulcan Materials Company Foundation in 1988 to assist in carrying out that mission. Because contributions made by the Foundation are corporate-based business dollars, it is essential that they be made in a planned and consistent manner that best serves the combined interests of Vulcan and the communities in which we operate.
Vision
Helping Build Stronger Communities
GRANTMAKING GUIDELINES
In addition to the corporate headquarters, located in Birmingham, Alabama, there are seven Construction Materials divisions. Further, Vulcan has over 356 operating facilities located in 21 states, the District of Columbia and Mexico. These facilities are shown on Exhibit 1. Regarding proposals submitted to the Foundation, first consideration will be given to those organizations that will benefit the communities where Vulcan employees live and work. The Foundation’s giving program is decentralized to spread ownership of the program to a wider base. Because unit managers are directly involved with the communities where they do business, decentralization enables the Foundation to be more informed about, and to better address, local needs. Proposals submitted to the Foundation should be sent directly to the division Charitable Contributions Officer in the appropriate geographical area. Should you have any questions about the appropriate division, please contact giving@vmcmail.com.
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The Foundation supports many types of worthwhile organizations
that enhance the quality of life in Vulcan’s communities, such as the United
Way. Additionally, the Foundation has defined its vision and identified three
distinct focus areas.
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Working with schools;
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Supporting environmental stewardship; and
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Encouraging employee involvement.
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Special consideration will be given to proposals that integrate two or more of these focus areas.
A major focus of the Foundation is to play a part in maintaining or improving the quality of life and standard of living through the support of education.
Elementary/Secondary Education
To reach the above-stated goal, students must have access to a variety of educational opportunities. Therefore, the Foundation will consider proposals that provide public education authorities with the tools necessary to help all students. The Foundation intends to support efforts to help improve educational systems in Vulcan’s communities, as well as individual schools, community by community, by partnering with schools located in Vulcan’s operating areas. Supported by the Foundation, Vulcan has adopted more than 200 schools in its communities. It is Vulcan’s goal to increase the number of its school partnerships, every year.
The Foundation is also interested in efforts to encourage young people to develop an interest in math, science, and business. The Foundation, therefore, gives consideration to proposals designed to help maintain students’ curiosity and excitement about the worlds of math and science and to explore the world of industry and business. The Foundation is particularly interested in helping young people and their teachers understand the relevance of math and science to society, and is supportive of efforts to link the math and science taught in classrooms to the application of these disciplines in the workplace. The Foundation also will consider programs designed to educate our students about the vital role of business and industry in society.
Although all worthwhile proposals for elementary and secondary education projects are considered on a case-by-case basis, the Foundation generally does not fund projects involving private schools.
Higher Education
Higher education will play an increasingly critical role in helping the economy effectively compete in the global market. The Foundation recognizes the invaluable contributions made by institutions of higher learning in educating the nation’s future workforce.
The Foundation will consider proposals from those institutions located in states where the Company has facilities, particularly proposals that focus on science and engineering or improving public education. Although proposals for capital improvements will be considered, the Foundation prefers to fund projects that directly affect the outcome of the educational process, such as scholarships and science and technology programs.
The Foundation funds many types of educational projects, including:
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An outdoor learning facility for Miller Elementary School in
Lafayette, Indiana.
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The Math Counts program for middle school students in Atlanta,
Georgia.
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Michigan Tech’s undergraduate Pavement Design, Construction and Materials
Enterprise Program.
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The Vulcan Materials Center for Environmental Stewardship and
Education at Samford University.
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The Tennessee Aquarium and Alabama A&M University's
Environmental Education Across the Curriculum program.
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Numerous scholarships nationwide. |
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The Foundation supports the philosophy that economic development and environmental stewardship have common goals. Responsible economic growth provides the resources necessary to be a good steward of the environment, while this stewardship helps to sustain growth.
There are important links between industry, the environment and technological innovation. A society that is better informed about environmental issues will be able to participate more effectively in public policy debates. Grantmaking will focus on organizations and programs that seek to develop an understanding of the connection between environmental stewardship and sustainable development. The Foundation will consider supporting those environmental organizations that adhere to fact-based, balanced environmental principles.
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Through partnerships with organizations such as the Wildlife Habitat Council, of which Vulcan was a founding member, Vulcan seeks to promote environmental stewardship in the communities where our employees live and work. Vulcan employees actively participate in improving their communities by establishing and maintaining certified wildlife habitats on Vulcan property. Vulcan is supporting 38 certified wildlife habitats at its facilities across the U.S.
The Foundation funds many types of programs to conserve the
environment and to increase environmental education, such as:
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The Cahaba River Society's CLEAN program that educates middle and
high school students about watershed conservation in Central Alabama.
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The conservation of native vegetation in the China Creek Park in
Fresno, California. Where, in addition to sponsorship, Western Division
employees have been working with Centerville Elementary students to plant
native trees and shrubs.
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The management and conservation of wildlife and fisheries
resources by the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation located near Chicago, Illinois.
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Vulcan has a history of encouraging its employees to participate in volunteer activities in their communities. We recognize that our workforce offers a unique resource to provide leadership in the communities where we operate. Thus, high priority will be given by the Foundation to proposals from those organizations in which company employees are actively involved, especially in our focus areas of education and environmental stewardship.
The Foundation awards grants only to public charities and units of government, such as public schools and parks. A public charity is any Section 501(c)(3) charitable organization that is not a private foundation because it meets one of the three internal Revenue Code definitions: 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2) or 509(a)(3).
As a matter of policy, the Foundation does not fund individuals; organizations outside the United States; telephone or mass-mail appeals, political organizations; testimonial dinners; sectarian religious activities; organizations which have discriminatory practices; or athletic, labor, fraternal and veterans associations. The Foundation generally will not consider requests from organizations located in communities where Vulcan has no operations, offices or employees.
Please submit a letter setting forth the following:
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A description of the organization for which funds are being
sought;
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How the requested funds will be used;
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Time lines for the funding and implementation of the project;
and,
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How success will be measured for the proposed project, including
a description of how the organization audits its performance. Any recipient who
is granted a multi-year commitment or a one-time gift of $5,000 or more will be
expected to provide periodic reports in writing to the Foundation concerning
the progress and the success of the project. The frequency of the reports will
be jointly agreed upon before the grant is awarded.
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Include with the letter the following:
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Evidence of tax-exempt status;
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Current year’s budget;
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Latest financial statements; and,
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List of directors and executive staff.
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The Foundation’s fiscal year is December 1 through November 30. Requests are considered throughout the year.
For submissions in the Birmingham, Alabama area, forward the letter with attachments to Carol Maxwell, Secretary/Treasurer, Vulcan Materials Company Foundation, P. O. Box 385014, Birmingham, Alabama, 35238-5014.
Requests from organizations located outside Birmingham, Alabama should be mailed to the appropriate division Charitable Contributions Officer for consideration.
Foundation Officers and Trustees
Donald M. James, Chairman and Trustee
Robert A. Wason IV, President and Trustee
Ronald G. McAbee, Trustee
Danny R. Shepherd, Trustee
Daniel F. Sansone, Trustee
David A. Donaldson, Vice President
Carol Maxwell, Secretary/Treasurer
James W. O'Brien, Assistant Treasurer
J. Philip Alford, Assistant Treasurer
James E. Smith, Assistant Treasurer
Vulcan Materials Company Foundation
P.O. Box 385014 Birmingham, Alabama 35238-5014
Telephone: (205) 298-3222
E-mail: giving@vmcmail.com