Sharing Value to Help Build Stronger Communities
An intrinsic part of being an employer of choice is being a neighbor of choice. Through philanthropic donations and employee volunteerism, our facilities strive to extend our impact in ways that can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbors. Agricultural education and first responder support, for example, are causes that help to leverage our expertise and that we support across multiple communities and at the
corporate level. We also provide funding for science-based curriculum in U.S. and Canadian schools as part of the Nutrients for Life Foundation, which educates students about the role of fertilizers in global nutrition. Following are selected highlights of how our facilities and employees have shared their time, talents and dollars with their respective communities during the past year.
We have made approximately $2 million in contributions for educational donations and community investments.
CF Industries Partner
“Our community of Donaldsonville has grown throughout the years, and we can thank CF Industries for a lot of that growth. The company has not only been a good partner with our emergency service teams, but they also are a good neighbor. When we have a need, CF is there. That creates a lot of trust between CF and our emergency responders, and in my line of work that means a lot.”
Chuck Montero, Fire Chief Donaldsonville, Louisiana
Making a Difference in Our Communities
For nearly two decades, we have sponsored ChemFriends Expo, a parish-wide, annual event held during National Chemistry Week to raise awareness of science and chemistry. In 2014, the event drew more than 1,800 sixth-graders, as well as community members. Community outreach also includes teacher appreciation initiatives at five schools and support for Teach for America instructors.
Our complex near Sioux City, Iowa, invests time and money in organizations that reflect our employees’ values. We support organizations that contribute to community safety, youth education, violence prevention, physical and mental health, military personnel, agriculture, athletics and environmental beautification and sustainability.
Employee and company donations to United Way totaled more than $120,000 in 2014, and we joined with local students to plant approximately 600 trees along a recently constructed wetland near our facility. We also provided financial support to numerous civic causes, health care facilities and educational programs. During the year, Courtright hosted a community meeting, which included a walking tour of the complex.
Educational outreach included a donation toward a new high school science lab, iPads for a fourth-grade STEM program and three area robotics teams. Our complex also is an active supporter of the Special Olympics, with both company and employee contributions benefiting three softball teams.
We are a major sponsor of three large local events: a youth livestock show that draws participants from surrounding communities; an annual regional football bowl in which more than 650 students participate; and an annual community rodeo. We also engage with our local community by supporting multiple youth educational programs and nonprofit charitable organizations.
Our employees were recognized in 2014 with both the United Way Chairman’s Award for largest workplace campaign and the highest participation of leadership giving in southern Alberta. We continued support of Medicine Hat College Power Engineering through several scholarship programs and partnerships with organizations such as the Medicine Hat Health Foundation, Careers Next Generation, Helicopter Air Lift Operation (HALO), Canadian Cancer Society and the local food bank.
We have helped fund necessary equipment for local emergency responders and new scoreboards for youth athletic leagues. Additionally, we are annual contributors to the local 4-H, Boy Scouts of America and a local college scholarship fund. Our donation dollars helped renovate a local recreational youth sports complex, and our partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America includes monetary support and volunteer service on their advisory committee.
Though smaller in scale than our nitrogen production complexes, our distribution facilities are no less generous. Each of these sites administers a Classroom Mini-Grant Program annually that funds agricultural, environmental or water quality projects in schools. In 2014, these grants benefited 191 teachers and more than 13,100 students across seven states and three Canadian provinces. Distribution facilities also make significant investments of time, money and expertise in first responder safety training for their respective communities. During these sessions, first responders often join us on site to hold emergency simulations to train on equipment that we have donated to them. Finally, ongoing community engagement also includes holding a community open house with tours and safety presentations at each facility every three years.
