IP Foundation

International Paper Company conducts most of its U.S. philanthropic activities through its foundation, International Paper Foundation. From its inception in 1952 and continuing today, the Foundation supports non-profits organization within the communities where International Paper has operating facilities. Click here to access information on the Foundation's policies and procedures.

The Foundation's primary focus is education - specifically environmental education, literacy programs for young children and minority career development opportunities for college-bound youth. The company also supports organizations where its employees actively volunteer and short-term, critical civic needs in the communities our employees live and work.

National Initiatives
Our sponsorship of the National Geographic Society's new publication National Geographic Explorer exhibits our interest in elevating literacy skills and sound environmental education through the Society's efforts to improve elementary school students' nonfiction literacy skills. The magazine provides high-quality science and social studies content that correlates with state and national curriculum standards. In addition to our gift to help underwrite distribution costs of this magazine, IP facilities annually pay for more than 70,000 subscriptions for students in our local schools.

Regional/Local Initiatives
Since the late 80's, International Paper has been a proud partner of the National Civil Rights Museum. The Museum, located at the Lorraine Motel, the site of Dr. Martin Luther King's assassination, chronicles key episodes of the American civil rights movement and the legacy of this movement to inspire participation in civil and human rights efforts globally. International Paper sponsors the national recipient of the Museum's Annual Freedom Awards, which are bestowed upon worthy individuals who have forged paths to expand freedom and opportunities for all people. Past winners have included, Dr. Joseph Lowery, Oprah Winfrey and Congressman John Lewis.

Additionally, International Paper sponsors the kick-off event for the Freedom Awards, the Public Forum, which provides the opportunity for area residents and students to hear the inspirational stories of the Freedom Award winners. The highlight of the Public Forum is the presentation of the IP sponsored Keeper of the Dream Awards. These awards recognize youth in grades 6-12 who stand out by demonstrating extraordinary courage, compassion, leadership and/or service toward others. In 2007, the student winners were recognized on the same stage as the 2007 International and National Freedom Award honorees Dr. John Hope Franklin, celebrated historian and author of countless African American history publications, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, president of Liberia and Africa's first elected female head of state, and Earvin "Magic" Johnson, former NBA star and successful businessman.

The IP Foundation looks for projects that can be implemented in communities where we operate. In addition to our national initiatives, we also support Earth's Birthday Project. This program provides elementary classrooms with caterpillar kits, garden seeds and easy-care information tools on how to grow and release Painted Lady butterflies on or near Earth Day. We have more than 100 facilities that participate and sponsor more than 2000 classrooms in our communities.

Through the support of the IP Foundation, the Love-A-Tree environmental education program was developed by International Paper and introduced in North Carolina in 1997. Since then, the program has become an integral part of International Paper's commitment to environmental education, and at the completion of this year's program, more than one million North Carolina students will have enjoyed the activities included in the Love-A-Tree kits. Through unique partnerships, International Paper coordinates with state environmental agencies to bring the Love-A-Tree program to classrooms across North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The program is designed to help educate elementary school students about the interconnectedness of natural systems and the importance of understanding their role in our natural environment. Each year classroom and outdoor activities are included as part of the program. The IP Foundation continues to support the efforts of several leading environmental agencies including The Nature Conservancy, The Conservation Fund, Resources for the Future and the Izaak Walton League to name a few.