PPG commits to $20M investment by 2025 to advance racial equity

PPG, a global supplier of paints, coatings, and specialty materials, and the PPG Foundation announced Monday a commitment to invest $20 million by 2025 to address systemic racism and advance racial equity in the United States.

The investment will help fund educational pathways for Black communities and people of color, with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education.

“We aim to reach diverse students and communities to champion change and empower historically underrepresented populations with greater opportunities to achieve brighter futures,” said Malesia Dunn, executive director of the PPG Foundation and corporate global social responsibility.

The investment commitment supplements PPG’s actions to further diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) throughout the company.

The $20 million investment shows support commitments for advancing STEM education and career development and encouraging K-12 STEM education particularly for Black communities and people of color, as well as working towards social justice, beautifying diverse communities, and funding ongoing impact opportunities.

At least 25 percent of the diversity funding will be directed to organizations serving the community of Pittsburgh, where PPG’s global headquarters are located. The PPG Foundation will also continue to invest more than 50 percent of its U.S.-based grantmaking to support causes that focus on Black communities, people of color, veterans, woman, LGBTQ+ populations, economically disadvantaged individuals, and peoples with disabilities.

“At PPG, we believe in DE&I and have long upheld these values throughout our company and community engagement efforts to create stronger, more sustainable communities,” said Marvin Mendoza, global head of DE&I at PPG. “Our new community engagement commitments build upon PPG’s purpose to protect and beautify the world and align with our practices to create an equal and just society.”

In 2019, PPG invested more than $11 million to support hundreds of organizations across 38 countries. Investing in educational opportunities, the company said, helps grow the current skilled workforce and develop future innovators in fields related to coatings and manufacturing.