Dow has announced nine initiatives selected for support through its 2024 Business Impact Fund. Now in its ninth year, this annual program collaborates with NGOs, nonprofit organizations, Dow customers, and employees to address social and sustainability challenges in communities where Dow operates. The fund promotes innovative, scalable solutions to these pressing issues.
"Building thriving communities is a shared responsibility," stated Bob Plishka, Global Director of Strategic Corporate Partnerships and President of the Dow Company Foundation. "Through the Business Impact Fund, we harness our people’s passion, technical expertise, and resources, along with those of diverse partners, to tackle issues like food waste, inadequate housing, and circularity. It’s both our duty and privilege to foster healthier, safer, and more sustainable communities."
Two of the nine projects this year will receive additional funding as part of a new pilot program, which extends support to previous initiatives through continuity grants. These grants aim to deepen the impact of ongoing efforts by building on their initial successes.
2024 Business Impact Fund Projects
New Initiatives:
Colombia: Communities in Color – The Art of Revitalizing Sport Spaces "Building thriving communities is a shared responsibility," stated Bob Plishka, Global Director of Strategic Corporate Partnerships and President of the Dow Company Foundation. "Through the Business Impact Fund, we harness our people’s passion, technical expertise, and resources, along with those of diverse partners, to tackle issues like food waste, inadequate housing, and circularity. It’s both our duty and privilege to foster healthier, safer, and more sustainable communities."
Two of the nine projects this year will receive additional funding as part of a new pilot program, which extends support to previous initiatives through continuity grants. These grants aim to deepen the impact of ongoing efforts by building on their initial successes.
2024 Business Impact Fund Projects
New Initiatives:
Partnering with Pintuco and Fundación Pintuco, Dow will enhance sports facilities in Bogotá, Cartagena, and Medellín using low-VOC, water-based paint designed for sports floors. This initiative seeks to inspire community pride and promote active, healthy lifestyles. Colombia: Cooling 2 Feed
To combat food waste and insecurity, Dow and its partners will support food banks by improving infrastructure, subsidizing app memberships, and running awareness campaigns. The project aims to save 475 tons of food annually. Kenya: Ujenzi Fiti – Affordable Housing
In collaboration with Habitat for Humanity Kenya and other partners, Dow will develop affordable housing and education centers using locally sourced, sustainable materials. The project also includes training programs to address labor shortages in the construction sector. Mexico: ReBuild – Foundations for the Future
Working with Habitat for Humanity Mexico and CRDC Global, Dow will construct eight sustainable homes for Maya communities in Chiapas, incorporating eco-friendly technologies and materials made from recycled plastic waste. Türkiye: Painting Türkiye Bright Again
Following the devastating 2023 earthquake, Dow will collaborate with Betek (Nippon Paint) and Ahbap Derneği to provide training and employment opportunities in painting and reconstruction efforts. United States: Project Alaska
Dow, Michigan State University, and tribal governments will retrofit 20 homes in Alaska with advanced insulation and sealant technologies to improve energy efficiency and living conditions for Native Alaskan families. United States & Canada: Painting a Sustainable Future
This project aims to revitalize over 150 homes while reducing 8.4 metric tons of CO2 emissions by using Dow’s sustainable architectural polymer technology.
Continuity Grant Initiatives:
Brazil: Project Ybá – Conservation That Transforms Supporting the Amazon Rainforest and local communities, this project will improve work conditions and infrastructure for non-timber forest product commercialization. South Africa: Empowering Oliver’s Village
Dow will continue supporting Oliver’s Village by funding agricultural training programs, enabling students to grow and sell produce to the community.
Since its inception in 2016, the Business Impact Fund has supported 65 projects across 23 countries, with nearly $14 million in investments. Outcomes include the creation of over 2,000 jobs, recycling of more than 13,600 metric tons of materials, and diversion of 9,500 metric tons of plastic from landfills.
Click here to know more about Dow’s Business Impact Fund and other Global Citizenship initiatives.
Click here to know more about Dow’s Business Impact Fund and other Global Citizenship initiatives.