Caterpillar Foundation Announces Commitment to Help Fight Racism and Social Injustice

June 17, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

Caterpillar Foundation Announces Commitment to Help Fight Racism and Social Injustice 

DEERFIELD, Ill. – The Caterpillar Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT), today announced a commitment to help fight racism and social injustice.

To honor the lives lost and keep with its mission, the Caterpillar Foundation is donating $1 million split between the following two organizations ($500,000 each):

• The Equal Justice Initiative is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment, challenging racial and economic injustice, and protecting fundamental human rights for the most vulnerable in our society.
• The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. seeks structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equity for all Americans.

“Caterpillar supports the fight against racism and injustice,” said Chairman and CEO Jim Umpleby. “Caterpillar and the Caterpillar Foundation look forward to working with the Equal Justice Initiative and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund to help build a better world.”

The Foundation will continue investing in community programs that address the destructive effects of racism and the fight for equal justice.

Through its existing U.S. Matching Gifts Program, the Caterpillar Foundation is also matching employee and retiree donations to eligible organizations that are most important to them, their families and the communities in which we live and work in the fight against racism and social injustice. 

LIVING OUR VALUES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST RACISM AND INJUSTICE

June 2, 2020

Chairman and CEO Jim Umpleby shared the following message with employees:

I do not usually communicate with you about non-business issues, but I cannot remain silent in the wake of recent events. I am struggling with outrage, sadness and frustration at the tragic death of George Floyd, which followed so closely on the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. We grieve for Mr. Floyd and his family and friends as well as for the larger community of which he was a part.

People of color in the United States are too often denied basic human rights that many of us take for granted. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect and have access to equal justice. Racism has no place in a civilized society.

I know many of you are also dealing with your own range of emotions in response to these recent events, and others might be struggling to fully understand the anger and frustration we are witnessing in communities across the country. These tragedies present us with an opportunity to listen and work to understand the experiences and perspectives of those who have suffered the destructive effects of racism.

As Caterpillar employees, Our Values in Action require each of us to respect all people and their opinions, experiences and backgrounds. I ask you to reflect on your individual thoughts and actions and ensure they are consistent with Our Values.

In addition to our individual actions, Caterpillar will support the fight against racism and injustice. In honor of the lives taken and with a mission to help build a better world, the Caterpillar Foundation will make a donation to an appropriate organization that will be announced in the near future. I also encourage you to take advantage of our Caterpillar Foundation Matching Gift Program to support those organizations most important to you, your family and your communities in the fight against racism and injustice.

Thank you for living our Caterpillar Values every day.

Jim Umpleby
Caterpillar Chairman & CEO