Giving back to its communities is ingrained in the Goodrich culture.
Giving Focus – Honor, Educate, Engage
In 2010, Goodrich updated its giving focus, to create a direct connection between the company and employees with business and giving objectives. We accomplish this in three giving categories – Honor, Educate, and Engage. Through our financial and volunteer support, Goodrich honors our military veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice; connects teachers and students to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) educational programs; and engages our employees in their communities and our world.
Honoring Those who Serve – As a major defense industry provider, Goodrich believes it is imperative to give back to the brave women and men in military service, their families, and the veterans who served before.
1. Support for current military service members – Goodrich and the Foundation will consider proposals that directly support active duty and reserve military service people throughout the world. For example, Goodrich and the Foundation currently support the United Service Organization (USO) at the national level and also in selected plant communities that have USO branches.
2. Helping veterans and wounded military service members – Goodrich and the Foundation will consider proposals that offer direct support to military veterans, including providing educational opportunities. In addition, support will be considered for organizations that provide direct help to wounded active duty and reserve service people. For example, Goodrich businesses and the Foundation currently support Wounded Warriors Project through financial contributions, employee volunteers and skills training.
3. Supporting families and children of military service members – Goodrich and the Foundation will consider proposals that directly support the children and families of active duty and reserve military service people. A focus will be on organizations that provide programs that relieve stress and financial burdens on the families of deployed military service people. For example, Goodrich Foundation supports Our Military Kids, a nonprofit organization that issues grants directly to families of deployed military service people so their children can participate in sports or other extra-curricular activities while a parent is serving overseas.
STEM Education – Goodrich recognizes that our future success depends on a workforce with the right skills in science, math and technology, and is committed to investing in this vital area.
1. Higher Education – Goodrich and the Foundation will consider support of selected educational institutions where the company recruits for its workforce or where technical research is conducted. Additional focus will be on institutions with specific academic areas of science and engineering that educate the technical workforce.
2. Elementary/Secondary Education (grades K-12) – While Goodrich will not fund K-12 public schools, Goodrich and the Foundation will consider proposals designed to restructure the educational system to better educate all students. The intent is to support efforts that take a comprehensive approach to education reform rather than addressing issues on a piecemeal basis. We recommend that schools contact local nonprofit agencies with program ideas, then seek funding through those agencies. As a reminder. Goodrich will fund only non-profit organizations; and while schools are not typically profit-generating entities, they do not qualify for non-profit status.
Goodrich and the Foundation will also consider proposals designed to help elementary school children maintain their curiosity and excitement about the worlds of math and science. This would include opportunities for professional development in math and science for elementary-level teachers.
In addition, Goodrich and the Foundation will consider proposals that help junior high and high school students and teachers understand the relevance of math and science to society, as well as efforts to link math and science taught in classrooms to application of these disciplines in the workplace.
3. Workforce Development – Goodrich and the Foundation will consider supporting programs that promote adult education and welfare-to-work training and education related to aviation and aerospace. These programs may be supported through community colleges or civic, community and human services organizations.
Engaging our Workforce in the Community – Goodrich understands the importance of being an active member of the communities where we live and work. A special focus is placed on engaging employees to directly volunteer with organizations in the local community.
1. Employee Volunteers – Goodrich employees are encouraged to be active in their community. Nonprofit organizations that need volunteers are encouraged to contact the local Goodrich business in their area. Organizations that have benefited from Goodrich employee volunteers include Habitat for Humanity, United Way agencies, and local USO units. See the Locations Guide to find the nearest local Goodrich facility.
2. Disaster Relief – Goodrich and the Foundation will join employees in supporting widespread disaster relief through established organizations such as the American Red Cross.
3. Employee Volunteer Leadership - Goodrich and the Foundation will consider proposals to nonprofit organizations in which a Goodrich employee has a formal leadership role. Employees can learn more more here.
4. Matching Funds – Goodrich Foundation has a formal matching gift program for Goodrich employees. Employees can learn more here.