Thompson Engineering, a multi-disciplined engineering firm with offices in eight Southeastern states, announced Tuesday that the Thompson Foundation, the charitable fund of affiliated companies Thompson Engineering, Watermark Design, and Thompson Consulting Services, awarded its millionth dollar. The Thompson Foundation awards grants to non-profits and scholarships to students across the affiliated companies’ footprint.
“The Thompson companies have a long history of community service and philanthropic giving and we’re proud to be able to contribute financially to mission-based, non-profit organizations and programs,” said John Baker, chairman of Thompson Holdings and CEO of Thompson Engineering. “The real heroes of this achievement are the numerous charities that use these funds to do great work to better our communities.”
The Thompson Foundation raises money through company donations, employee payroll donations, and two employee-managed fundraisers. A committee of employees meets every other month to review grant requests, most of which come from employees who support non-profit organizations through volunteer service.
“The Thompson Foundation is proud to reach this million-dollar milestone, and we’re just as proud of our employees for volunteering in their communities and bringing grant requests back to the foundation committee for consideration,” said Chad Brown, chairman of the Thompson Foundation. “The celebration of this milestone highlights the meaningful impact of combining our employees’ volunteer efforts and Thompson Foundation dollars in the communities where we live and work.”
One of the areas where the Thompson Foundation is making a difference is in STEM education and engagement. In the last two years, more than $53,000 has been awarded to STEM-related programs.
The Thompson Foundation reached the million-dollar mark with a round of grant approvals totaling nearly $15,000 for organizations such as Children’s of Alabama Pediatric Rheumatology, Flight Works Alabama, Adoption Rocks, JPS Tougaloo Early College High School Program in Jackson, Ms., and the Chattanooga Public Library. The Thompson Foundation has supported more than 250 organizations since inception.
To watch a video about the foundation’s million-dollar milestone, click here.