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Building Strong Communities

corporateresponsable

Corporate responsibility covers a wide range of activities at Dean Foods, from local volunteer initiatives to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions to improving safety in our workplace. We believe that all of these efforts are interrelated. We look at them as ways to make us a better corporate citizen.

 

Building Families & Communities

As one of the nation's leading food and beverage companies, Dean Foods is committed to providing healthy and nutritious food and beverages for today's families. We support organizations that promote and encourage nutritious lifestyles and educate families on the importance of maintaining a healthy diet. We also recognize that making healthy food choices is a daily challenge for millions of Americans who face hunger. As a major food producer, we realize the impact we can have in helping these individuals and families maintain a healthy lifestyle.

At a corporate level, we focus our giving on organizations and programs that promote nutrition and combat hunger and its effects. We respond to requests from organizations and programs that are national in scope or relevant to the Dallas area, home to our corporate headquarters.

Hometown Giving

We are committed to nurturing and supporting the communities where we do business. In areas where we have operations, requests for contributions should be sent to the local business. All decisions are made locally.

Corporate Donations

We have developed the following guidelines to govern our corporate grant-making.

With few exceptions, our giving is focused on nutrition education and promotion and hunger relief. We also consider organizations that provide relief in response to major disasters that affect areas where we have operations, employees or distribution. We contribute only to organizations with 501(c)3 status. We prefer to make grants for specific projects with measurable results, rather than for general operating support.

We support initiatives only in the communities where our employees live and work. We grant corporate donations to organizations with national scope or that serve the Dallas area. Organizations serving other areas should direct requests to our business units.

We generally do not consider the following:

  • Requests from individuals.
  • Operating support for school or college/universities.
  • Athletic teams, e.g. Little League.
  • Fraternal, veteran or labor organizations.
  • Political campaigns or lobbying organizations, or those supporting the candidacy of a particular individual.
  • Travel funds.
  • Courtesy advertising.
  • Fundraising events, including benefit dinners, auctions, golf outings, etc.
  • Religious organizations, unless they serve the public with programs fitting within our focus areas.
  • Sponsorship of individual employees or their family members in events or programs benefiting nonprofit organizations.

Qualified non-profit organizations may submit proposals to Dean Foods based on these guidelines. Requests must be made in writing, and each proposal must contain the following elements. Proposals not containing all requested elements will not be considered.

  • A brief (two-page maximum) summary of the organization's project or program needs. This overview should explain how the proposal meets one or more of our specific focus areas. It should also note the amount requested, the funding period and any key dates. Organization name, address, phone number and contact person.
  • A program budget detailing the amount requested. Requests should detail all sources of financial support including amounts committed or pending that might leverage any contribution made by us.
  • An audited Financial Statement for the previous year.
  • A list of donors (United Way, corporations, foundations, individuals, government individuals and government agencies) to the overall organization, as well as a separate list of donors for the specified program to receive funding.
  • A copy of the organization's certificate of tax exemption from the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)3.
  • Written verification of the organization's federal tax identification number (FEIN).
  • A plan outline and timetable for project implementation, communication and evaluation.
  • A brief statement (two-page maximum) of the organization's history, purpose and goals; size of membership and constituency; geographic service area; use of volunteers; and general accomplishments to date.
  • A list of officers and board members and their affiliations.
  • A copy of the organization's most recent annual report.

Please send all requests according to the specifications listed to the address below; no phone calls please. Please allow at least six to eight weeks for consideration of your proposal. You will be notified by phone or in writing if we are able to participate.

Corporate Contributions
Dean Foods Company
2515 McKinney Ave., Suite 1200
Dallas, TX 75201

A High Standard

At Dean Foods Company, integrity is one of our most important assets. Our Code of Ethics establishes the values and expectations by which we expect our directors, officers, and employees to follow to build value for our stakeholders. Our Audit Committee provides oversight of our compliance and ethics activities.

For additional information concerning our ethics and compliance, please review our Corporate Responsibility report .

Code of Ethics HelpLine: 1-888-332-3980

Click here to download the Dean Foods Code of Ethics.