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The Mission of the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation is to
engage Ben & Jerry’s employees in philanthropy and
social change work; to give back to our Vermont
communities; and to support grassroots progressive
social change organizations around the country.
Our interests are in furthering social justice, protecting
the environment and supporting sustainable food
systems.
We are committed to supporting non-violent,
thoughtful and strategic approaches.
Our philanthropy is led by Ben & Jerry’s employees
who serve on committees that review grants.
Giving back to our Vermont communities happens
primarily through the small grants programs and the
community service projects of the Community Action
Teams at the company’s three Vermont sites.
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The Foundation awards about $1.8 million
annually to eligible organizations across the
country and in Vermont. Our philanthropy is
employee-led by non-management,
employee advisory groups who consider
proposals and recommend grants. The
Foundation administers five grant programs,
listed below.
All of our grant programs utilize an on-line
application process.
Giving
OUR MISSION
WHAT WE DO?
WHO WE ARE?
In everything we do, the Ben & Jerry's Foundation strives to apply our mission and values, including with our
investment policies and our relationships with employees.
Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Inc. was founded on a belief in “linked prosperity”. It meant that as the company grew
and prospered the benefits would go not just to shareholders but also to employees and the community. In 1985
the company undertook a public stock offering to support its ongoing growth. The Ben & Jerry’s Foundation was
created at the same time, with an initial gift from Ben of 50,000 shares and an unprecedented decision of the
company’s Board of Directors to commit 7 ½% of the company’s annual pretax profits to philanthropy.
When the Foundation was started, it was with a belief that the company and the Foundation were distinct. The
company’s role was to generate profits that the Foundation gave away. In 1991 the Foundation and company staff
held a retreat with experts in social change work and philanthropy to think about the Foundation’s strategies and
effectiveness. The message from the retreat was that a real opportunity was being missed by not involving
employees in the Foundation’s work. What better way to communicate the company’s progressive values than by
empowering employees to participate in decision-making?
This led to a complete redesign of the grantmaking process to include employees directly in grants decisions.
Through the creation of Community Action Teams at each site and employee members on the Employee Advisory
Committee, decision-making was placed in employees’ hands.
In 2000 the company was acquired by Unilever, a global company with over 400 brands (www.unilever.com).
Unilever continues to support the Foundation through an annual grant that takes into account Ben & Jerry’s ice
cream sales. For 2009 this amounted to $2 million. The Foundation is deeply grateful to Unilever for this ongoing
support.
The history of the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation has been and continues to be one of steadfast dedication to involving
employees, giving back to Vermont communities and supporting progressive social justice work.
HISTORY  -­‐ THEN AND NOW
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