PPG (NYSE:PPG) and the PPG Foundation have announced a combined investment of $18.4 million in communities worldwide throughout 2024, reflecting an increase of $900,000 from the previous year. This funding supported over 400 community-driven initiatives, reinforcing PPG’s dedication to advancing education, fostering sustainability, and encouraging employee volunteerism to create long-term positive change.
Strengthening Community Engagement
“At PPG, we are committed to making a difference through strategic community investments,” said Malesia Dunn, Executive Director of the PPG Foundation and Corporate Global Social Responsibility. “By supporting education, beautifying neighbourhoods, and providing meaningful volunteer opportunities for employees, we aim to inspire future professionals, build stronger communities, and use our resources to drive real, lasting impact.”
Investing in STEM Education and Future Leaders
One of the key focus areas for 2024 was investing in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, with PPG dedicating $11.5 million to initiatives designed to cultivate the next generation of innovators. Key programmes included:
- Expanding global educational partnerships: PPG continued its collaboration with the National Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci in Milan by launching Playlab, an interactive learning space designed to engage young minds through hands-on educational experiences.
- Promoting environmental awareness: A two-year collaboration with the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) was launched to develop Eco-Schools handbooks, instructional videos, online courses, and specialised training materials for teachers, equipping them with the tools needed to educate students about sustainability.
- Encouraging female participation in technology: In Pittsburgh and Detroit, the PPG Foundation partnered with Code/Art, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to computer science education for young girls, combining creativity and technology to foster interest in STEM fields.
- Empowering young women in STEM fields: In Sumaré, Brazil, PPG introduced the third edition of “Girls in Tech,” an initiative developed in collaboration with Casa Hacker, aimed at providing mentorship and skills development for young women pursuing careers in technology.
Advancing Sustainability and Workforce Development
PPG is making significant progress toward its long-term sustainability and workforce development commitments, including:
- $1.2 million invested toward a $5 million commitment by 2030 for environmental education. This supported initiatives such as the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project in the U.S., Junior Uni Wuppertal’s sustainability courses in Germany, and Junior Achievement’s ‘Attitude for the Planet’ programme in Brazil.
- Completion of a $2 million commitment ahead of schedule to train skilled workers. This initiative supported programmes such as Bidwell Training Center’s Chemical Laboratory Technician programme in the U.S., Malaysia’s 42KL technical education programme, and vocational schools across Europe, which received PPG LINQ™ innovative tools.
Supporting Community Sustainability and Disaster Relief
PPG and the PPG Foundation contributed $6.4 million toward disaster relief and sustainability efforts. This included donations to organisations such as the Red Cross, which provided emergency aid in response to natural disasters in the southeastern U.S. and Europe.
Additionally, 58 Colorful Communities projects were completed across 27 countries in 2024. Since its launch in 2015, the programme has transformed nearly 600 community spaces, with over 30,300 PPG employees and local volunteers helping to improve environments for more than 10.2 million people in over 50 countries.
As part of its New Paint for a New Start initiative, PPG revitalised 90 schools between 2022 and 2024, creating vibrant learning environments for nearly 53,000 students and teachers.
Through these ongoing initiatives, PPG continues to demonstrate its dedication to strengthening communities, supporting education, and driving sustainability worldwide.
