FedEx Ups Game in Charitable Giving
FedEx Corp. rolled out a stronger charitable giving program, FedEx Cares, which will invest $200 million in more than 200 communities over five years.
The Memphis-based delivery giant increased its corporate giving budget by 35% to meet the goal during the fiscal year that began July 1, said Patrick Fitzgerald, senior vice president, FedEx Integrated Marketing Communications.
FedEx officials said $50 million of the commitment would be in donated shipping and logistics services for disaster relief efforts and special transportation.
FedEx ranks No. 2 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers.
Other focus areas are sustainable transportation, career paths for young adults in underserved populations, road safety and global entrepreneurship. The program runs from 2016 through 2020.
“FedEx and our team members have a long history of supporting the communities where we live and work,” Fitzgerald said. “This new strategy builds on that heritage and takes it to the next level by focusing on ways we can use our operational strength and business expertise to address social challenges.”
The launch of FedEx Cares coincided with Fitzgerald's participation in a press conference and panel discussion on corporate philanthropy that was part of Super Bowl week festivities in Northern California.
In fiscal 2014 FedEx gave $45.48 million in total charitable contributions including $9.4 million in employee contributions to United Way. Shipping accounted for $4.26 million as the company airlifted supplies and equipment to help combat the Ebola outbreak and aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan.
A company release said the giving platform is complemented by volunteer efforts of FedEx employees. In 2015, more than 17,000 FedEx team members took part in FedEx Cares Week, a period dedicated to service projects in the U.S. and regions FedEx serves around the globe.
FedEx didn’t advertise during Super Bowl 50, but it has a 13-year partnership with the National Football League that includes the FedEx Air and Ground NFL Program.
FedEx Air and Ground recognizes outstanding players during the season and provides a donation to American Red Cross chapters in winning teams' cities each week. The program has put $1.7 million in local communities.
The company said FedEx Cares will focus on "five pillars of strategic investment to strengthen communities," starting with charitable shipping or "Delivering for Good."
Other areas are:
Sustainable Transportation: Developing solutions that connect the world responsibly and resourcefully.
Employment Pathways: Providing pathways to success for young adults in underserved populations.
Road Safety: Applying its expertise and global reach in road safety to protect pedestrians and make roads safer.
Global Entrepreneurship: Advancing women and minority-owned small businesses and continuing to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs, helping them access new markets and grow.
For more information go to www.FedExCares.com.
