Home    Diageo    Insight

Diageo announces $20 million Community Fund support

Diageo announces $20 million Community Fund support

 June 09, 2020

 Read time

Diageo has unveiled a $20 million Community Fund to support social justice in America, helping black communities and businesses recover from COVID-19.

The fund forms part of Diageo's efforts to support under-represented groups and communities, especially those in the hospitality industry who have been disproportionately harmed by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Fund will support businesses, consumers and partners integral to the hospitality industry in black communities across the USA. This will include a combination of targeted donations supporting advocacy efforts as part of the economic recovery from COVID-19, training for business owners and employees, relief aid and more.

Standing together and redoubling resolve

Diageo has no tolerance for racism, injustice and unequal treatment. We stand together with the black community in this defining moment,” says Ivan Menezes, Chief Executive of Diageo. “We are committed to taking every step necessary to champion equality everywhere and, while we have made progress, there is so much more to do. The Diageo Community Fund is just one of many steps we will take on this journey.”

Diageo has long-standing partnerships with the National Urban League and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and has already pledged over $1 million to these organizations and 100 Black Men of America, Inc., to support their work for racial equality and social justice. Diageo also announced to its employees it will double its existing matching program for charitable donations made during the month of June 2020, contributing two dollars for every dollar contributed by employees.

Diageo’s African Heritage Employee Resource Group (A.H.E.A.D.) will continue to help the company focus on the priorities and actions that will make the most meaningful impact to the black community, both inside and outside of Diageo.

“The fact that racial injustices are daily occurrences is tragic. And it must change. And that change needs to start with each of us, in our families, communities and businesses,” says Deirdre Mahlan, President, Diageo North America. “We must use the pain of this moment to redouble our resolve.”

Work for an employer forging positive change

Diageo is regularly praised for its community initiatives and the company's diverse representation of people.

Search and apply for a job at Diageo.

 

Find out more

Stay connected by subscribing to our monthly newsletter and following us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and Facebook.

Disclosure: Where Women Work researches and publishes insightful evidence about how its paid member organizations support women's equality.


                       

Join our women's careers community