How the Program Works
At the heart of the Charity Partner Program is a simple principle: employees decide which causes to support and lead the activities that make the program successful.
Each participating site forms a small team of employee volunteers who coordinate the program locally — although at smaller sites it is often driven by just one dedicated colleague.
Colleagues are invited to nominate local nonprofit organizations they would like to support. To ensure transparency and fairness, nominated charities go through a review and scoring process before the final selection. Employees then vote to choose their Charity Partner, making the program truly employee-led.
Once selected, the organization becomes the site’s Charity Partner for at least one year. Many sites continue the partnership for two or more years, allowing employees to build stronger relationships with the organization and create a deeper impact in their community.
Throughout the year, employees organize fundraising activities and volunteering initiatives to support the selected charity.
In some cases, these partnerships grow beyond fundraising and volunteering. Long-term collaboration between employees and local nonprofits can also lead to COLORFUL COMMUNITIES® projects, where volunteers use their skills and time to transform community spaces for organizations they support.
One example is the long-term partnership with Association PITCHOUN, supporting the Maison de l’Enfance et de la Famille du Valenciennois (MEF), which provides care, protection and support to children and families in vulnerable situations. Over several years, employees have supported the organization through fundraising activities and COLORFUL COMMUNITIES® projects that helped revitalize care homes in Artres and Condé-sur-l’Escaut.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to PPG employees, whose involvement over more than six years has helped provide every child with an environment that fosters hope, discovery, and growth,” said Claire Cherquefosse, the Director of the Maison de l’Enfance et de la Famille (MEF) du Valenciennois.
Other charities that have been supported for five years or more — including organizations in France such as AFM Téléthon and Les Clowns de l’Espoir; in Poland, Fundacja „Jesteśmy Blisko” and Fundacja „Wrocławskie Hospicjum dla Dzieci”; and in Spain, Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (AECC), Asociación Autismo Valladolid, and Fundación Banco de Alimentos de Madrid.
Creativity in Action Across Our Sites
One of the most inspiring aspects of the program is the creativity employees bring to fundraising activities.
Across our sites, colleagues organize a wide range of initiatives, including:
- Garage sales or second-hand boutiques, where donated items are sold to raise funds
- Book sales, giving a second life to books while supporting a charity partner
- Bake sales, where employees donate homemade dishes and their time
- Craft workshops, where colleagues teach creative skills and participants contribute through entry fees
- Raffles and lotteries, simple but effective ways to raise funds and engage colleagues
Some sites go even further with innovative ideas such as charity walks, picnics, fundraising auctions of employee artwork, or larger community events involving employees, families and local partners.
