Philanthropy and volunteerism
Strengthening our communities
Our responsibility as long-term investors extends to the neighborhoods in which we live and work. Through a combination of strategic, high-impact philanthropy, efforts to address immediate needs, and crew-led volunteer and giving programs, we are committed to strengthening our communities. Our responsive support will continue for those impacted by global humanitarian challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Programs designed for long-term, high impact
As an investment management company, we know what it is like to invest in something, care about it, and grow it purposefully over decades. Our commitment to philanthropy is a natural extension of our mission to give investors the best chance of investment success. We believe strong businesses help create strong communities, and strong communities help fuel strong businesses. Our focus is on long-term impact.
Investing in childhood
The philosophy we share with our clients—investing early pays off—shapes our signature philanthropic initiative, Vanguard Strong Start for Kids ProgramTM. Strong Start for Kids invests in tomorrow by supporting the development, learning, and joy of young children today starting before birth and continuing to age 5. The program provides funding and volunteer hours to give children the opportunity to grow, thrive, and learn, with a focus on improving school readiness for those growing up in poverty. It is driven by decades of research demonstrating that high-quality, evidence-based investments made in the first few years of a child’s life lead to lifelong cognitive, emotional, and economic improvements.
We focus our efforts in high-need areas surrounding our employment hubs (Greater Philadelphia, Phoenix, Charlotte, and London), and we advocate for change nationally and at the U.S. state levels. The program is supported by generous employee and corporate commitments.
Learn more about the Strong Start for Kids Program.
View the 2021 Strong Start for Kids annual report.
Strong Start for Kids theory of change
Video transcript:
Children don't get a say in the world they're born into. They don't choose their families, home life, or community--or even if they have a place to call home.
The first five years of life, when kids' brains are the most flexible and adaptable, are a critical period for learning and growth.
Experiences and relationships formed in those years build a foundation for future learning and success. The impact can last a lifetime.
Compounding situations like income inequality, racism, education inequity, and other pressing social conditions have prevented generations of children from reaching their full potential.
At Vanguard, we believe that every child has a right to a Strong Start. From bedtime stories with family, to safe, green neighborhood spaces to play, to nurturing communities, every child needs and deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and explore.
This belief is backed by empirical evidence that high-quality early experiences have the power to change a vulnerable child's trajectory.
Kids with access to high-quality early education are 25% more likely to graduate high school, four times more likely to have completed a bachelor's degree or higher, and earn up to 25% more in wages as an adult.
Strong Start for Kids invests in evidence-based approaches to build and support resilient families, help them withstand the stressors of poverty, and understand their role in their child's development, support effective early learning programs with well-trained, well-compensated teachers, and strengthen communities that advance early learning and support the children and families that live in them.
These types of critical investments in the lives of young children today, are an important first step in creating a robust workforce for tomorrow.
What's true for our investors is true for the youngest in our communities: by investing early, we help give children the best chance for success.
Teaching financial literacy to the next generation
We care about financial literacy and believe teaching it is inherent in our mission to take a stand for all investors. That’s why our crew created My Classroom Economy (MyCE), a global program powered by volunteers to support educators in teaching children about financial literacy through fun, free, experiential learning. Since its introduction in 2011, MyCE has been used by more than one million K–12 students throughout the United States and is now available globally in English and Spanish. In 2019, we launched My Home Economy to extend MyCE’s classroom management and financial education tools to families at home.
Crew's passion to serve
Vanguard supports causes and nonprofit organizations worldwide that are meaningful to our crew. We extend this support though a host of individual philanthropic and volunteer programs, including an annual Vanguard Gives Back workplace giving campaign, year-round volunteer time off, a generous matching gift program, and Dollars for Doers, which allows crew to direct mini-grants to nonprofits where they volunteer.
Skills-based Volunteering
The Skills-based Volunteering program is designed to match the expertise of our crew members with the needs of nonprofit organizations. Initiatives such as our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and pro-bono legal service programs let employees put their passion and expertise to use in our communities.
Learn more about our efforts to support healthy and resilient communities and families around the world. We're excited to share more about our community impact in 2022.
Evolving community needs
Our crew-led programs support the evolving needs of local neighborhoods through a variety of contributions from blood donation to hunger relief. In 2021, for example, we donated more than $2 million to agencies for the purchase and distribution of food in the communities in which we operate. Vanguard's community gardens, established in 2012, also continued to be planted, maintained, and harvested by crew volunteers who donated the produce raised to local food banks, pantries, and centers.
The Hometown Grants Program funds nonprofit agencies addressing pressing local human service needs and contributing to community vibrancy. It’s run by site-based investment committees made up of crew volunteers who dedicate two years of service to learning about the nonprofit sector, philanthropy, and their local area. The program currently operates in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Arizona, and London.
Partnering for impact
A diverse and inclusive community is at the core of our work. We invest in change makers that are highly collaborative, have an intersectional focus, and work to increase the civic, cultural, and economic power of marginalized groups. The organizations selected have programs and approaches that align with Vanguard's values and address multiple issues and geographies to target the root cause of injustices. The Vanguard Group Foundation portfolio for social equity philanthropy has granted $7 million since 2020 with plans to contribute $2 million annually to organizations committed to catalyzing social change in systemic, collaborative, and inclusive ways.
This video highlights our wide range of volunteer activities at all locations, connecting crew members with organizations that assist people in need.
Stewarding generosity
Vanguard strategically designs global programs and effectively deploys our crew’s time, talent, and treasure to strengthen communities.
$58M
in early childhood development grants has been committed by Vanguard Strong Start for Kids between the program’s 2016 inception and December 2021
65%
of Vanguard crew in 11 countries participated in a community program in 2021
44K+
hours of global volunteer service by crew in 2021
1M+
children have been served through our financial literacy program for children, My Classroom Economy, since inception
