Scholarships

We believe that the future of society depends on well-educated citizens and employees. Through our Matching Gifts Program, individual employees' gifts to schools are matched by Vulcan on a two-for-one basis. Most of our operating divisions fund at least one local scholarship in each operating area. We currently fund 65 scholarships, seven of which are fully endowed. In addition, our plants have adopted 76 schools through Adopt-A-School programs.

Educational Projects

Almost half the Foundation's funds support educational programs and schools. In one particular effort we combined our interests in environmental responsibility and education by providing seed money to set up the Samford University Master's Degree Program in Environmental Management, which offers an excellent postgraduate education in a field of growing importance.

We continue our local focus by sponsoring internship and mentoring programs, such as the INROADS program for minority college students. The Vulcan Foundation is a long-time supporter of the United Negro College Fund and the Urban League.

Over the years we have donated millions of dollars to educational and environmental projects: teacher and student training, science fairs, water purification, environmental education, erosion control efforts, wildlife sanctuaries, recycling programs and shore cleanups. In addition to financial contributions for schools, we donate computer hardware and software, playground equipment, fencing, paving materials, and hands-on assistance with landscaping and painting.

Wildlife Habitats

We work through the Wildlife Habitat Council, The Nature Conservancy and other groups to strengthen habitat improvement. Significant contributions to The Nature Conservancy help to purchase and maintain ecologically important land to protect wildlife habitat. Vulcan has helped fund the purchase of Bluebonnet Swamp in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; a tract of the Cheyenne Bottoms wetlands near Great Bend, Kansas; and land for a project to connect Alabama's Pinhoti Trail with the Appalachian Trail.

Clean Water — Disaster Relief

By supporting the Chlorine Chemistry Council's Water Relief Network, our Chemicals Group helps supply clean water following natural disasters around the world. Through the international Red Cross it provides water disinfection chemicals, temporary distribution pipes and containers, water testing kits, protective plastic sheeting, surface disinfectants and power generators. By means of this program, last year we helped victims of floods and cyclones in Mozambique, torrential rains in Venezuela and an earthquake in Colombia.

Employee Health

Particular attention goes to the individuals who work for us and with us; their health, their safety, their wellbeing and their opportunities are our concerns. Along with promoting antismoking campaigns and healthy lifestyles, we emphasize equal opportunity. The U.S. Department of Labor recognized our outstanding compliance with affirmative action and equal employment opportunity laws. It observed that aggressive leadership by management and our no-tolerance policy have helped foster a workplace free of racial and sexual harassment.

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