Caterpillar donates to racial and social justice causes

Construction heavyweight Caterpillar has announced that the Caterpillar Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the company, has donated US$1 million to organisationas that fight racism and social injustice.

The Caterpillar Foundation is donating US$1 million split equally between two organisations, the Equal Justice Initiative and NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.

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.

The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund seeks structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equity for all Americans.

Following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, US, during an arrest for allegedly using counterfeit money, there have been protests in the US and around the world under the wider banner of Black Lives Matter.

“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.”

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

Through its existing US Matching Gifts Program, the Caterpillar Foundation is also matching employee and retiree donations to eligible organisations that are most important to them in the fight against racism and social injustice.