Since its founding in 1952, the Caterpillar Foundation has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of people around the world.

The Foundation’s projects have ranged from providing access to basic services like water and energy, to equipping people with skills to gain employment. In 2013, the Caterpillar Foundation set an ambitious goal to help empower 50 million people out of poverty by 2020.

Earlier this year, the Caterpillar Foundation proudly announced it had achieved its 50 million goal. But, they didn’t do it alone. Much of their success depended on working closely with trusted partners around the globe.

Providing Clean Water

Caterpillar Foundation’s longstanding partnership with Water.org led to water access and sanitation for four million people across India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Peru and Brazil.

Meanwhile, the Caterpillar Foundation’s recent investment with Water.org is currently bringing access to improved water and sanitation to 35 million Brazilians. It is also connecting an additional 100 million people to a local sewer system, an essential need for economic prosperity.

Living Lands & Waters, another long-time Caterpillar Foundation partner, is focused on the protection, preservation and restoration of major U.S. rivers and watersheds. With recent support from the Foundation, Living Lands & Waters, including helping hands from Caterpillar volunteers, collected more than 22,000 pounds of debris along a 23-mile stretch of the Illinois River near Peoria, Illinois, laying the groundwork for increased tourism and wildlife habitat restoration.

Building the Workforce

As part of its focus on developing tomorrow’s workforce, the Caterpillar Foundation has partnered with International Youth Foundation (IYF) for the past last 13 years. Working together, the partnership has provided programming to thousands of youths in 14 different countries, preparing them for productive livelihoods and fulfilling adult lives.

The Caterpillar Foundation has invested in IYF’s EquipYouth program, which is designed to help youths across Israel, Palestine, Mexico and Peru find jobs and/or start their own businesses.

EquipYouth has increased employability among disadvantaged youth through market-relevant life skills and technical skills training, internships and on-the-job training. It’s also provided job placement support and entrepreneurship development. 

Through partnerships like these and many more, the Caterpillar Foundation is carrying out its mission to build resilient communities that thrive in tomorrow’s world in the communities where we live and work and in those most in need. The Foundation is helping to build stronger individuals, communities and economies – and ultimately, a better world.

Learn more about the Caterpillar Foundation and their work around the world.