Celanese Foundation Donates $573,000 in Grants to Dallas-area Community Organizations

Wed, February 19 2014

Foundation’s programs have direct impact on local communities

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE), a global technology and specialty materials company, today announces The Celanese Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has made its first donations totaling $573,000 to Dallas-area charitable and community organizations. In addition to these donations, the foundation announces the completion of multiple community volunteer events in 2013, including the Celanese International Impact Program to Brazil, and the Celanese Global Impact Week at 29 Celanese sites worldwide.

Established in 2013, The Celanese Foundation focuses on initiatives to improve the fundamental living conditions of people, with an emphasis on families and children. Organizations that receive funding must align to The Celanese Foundation’s focus areas which include hunger relief, shelter, fundamental education, health and water.

Celanese Foundation’s First Dallas-area Donations

The foundation is led by employees with investments going directly to the charities Celanese employees believe in and support. The foundation’s first-year donations have been distributed to the following Dallas-area community and charitable organizations:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star
• Irving Cares
• Children's Advocacy Center for Denton County
• Denton County Friends of the Family
• LIFT (Literacy Instruction for Texas)
• Hope's Door
• Hope Cottage Pregnancy and Adoption Center
• The Turning Point
• Alzheimer's Association, Greater Dallas Chapter
• American Red Cross - Dallas Area Chapter
• Uplift Education
• Christian Community Action
• Mi Escuelita Preschool
• Vogel Alcove
• Resource Center of Dallas
• Metrocrest Social Services
• AVANCE–Dallas
• KIPP Dallas-Fort Worth
• Nexus Recovery Center
• The Family Place

Upon receiving their donation, Daniel Leal, Executive Director at the Children’s Advocacy Center for Denton County, said: “These kinds of unexpected gifts just don’t happen every day. We are extremely excited and are so grateful to The Celanese Foundation and to their amazing, kind-hearted employees.”

Mark Rohr, Celanese Chairman and CEO, stated: “I am very proud of the spirit and service our employees demonstrate to the communities where we live and work. It is my hope that The Celanese Foundation is a positive force and honorably reflects our employees’ passion and purpose.”

Celanese International Impact Program goes to Brazil

In September of 2013, Celanese sent 10 employees to Uberlândia, Brazil, in support of the Celanese International Impact Program (CIIP). Hailing from China, Singapore, Germany, the Netherlands, Budapest and the United States, these 10 individuals volunteered their skills for three organizations as part of the CIIP. The Celanese Foundation worked with PYXERA Global as its operational partner for this year’s international volunteer program.

Celanese released a video recently of its International Impact Program efforts in Brazil, which can be viewed and shared here. The video features the increasing social impact of skills-based volunteer programs in which professionals donate their skills for organizations in need.

“Celanese employees have a great spirit of volunteerism and community support,” said Gretchen Rosswurm, vice president of Global Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility. “Through these partnerships in our global communities, our employees guide our decision-making processes and are involved in all aspects of our community support. We’re definitely making a difference in our global communities and having a great time in the process.”

Celanese Global Impact Week Completes Third Year

The 2013 campaign of the Celanese Global Impact Week encouraged employees to work on service projects they identified within their own communities, all in the same week of October. Projects spanned a range of activities according to local need, from painting at a local school to food drives. Participation in 2013, the third year of the program, was double that of the first year’s campaign, with 29 of Celanese’s 35 sites taking part totaling 86 projects with 2,200 employee volunteers.

“Global events such as the annual Celanese Foundation fundraising campaign, Global Impact Week, and the Celanese International Impact Program -- combined with efforts in support of Habitat for Humanity and the Salvation Army, just to name a few -- are embraced by employees in support of our community and those in need,” said Dana Smith, manager of The Celanese Foundation. “In 2013 alone, we estimate Celanese employees, suppliers and the corporation provided approximately $1.6 million in charitable aid and more than 13,000 hours in community support around the world. This effort is improving the world and providing growth opportunities for our employees.”

About Celanese

Celanese Corporation is a global technology leader in the production of differentiated chemistry solutions and specialty materials used in most major industries and consumer applications. With sales almost equally divided between North America, Europe and Asia, the company uses the full breadth of its global chemistry, technology and business expertise to create value for customers and the corporation. Celanese partners with customers to solve their most critical needs while making a positive impact on its communities and the world. Based in Dallas, Texas, Celanese employs approximately 7,400 employees worldwide and had 2013 net sales of $6.5 billion. For more information about Celanese Corporation and its product offerings, visit www.celanese.com or our blog at www.celaneseblog.com.

To learn more about The Celanese Foundation, visit www.Celanese.com/foundation.

All registered trademarks are owned by Celanese International Corporation or its affiliates.

About PYXERA Global

PYXERA Global (@PYXERAGlobal) leverages the unique strengths of corporations, governments, social sector organizations, educational institutions, and individuals to enhance the abilities of people and communities to solve complex problems and attain mutually beneficial goals. With a quarter century of experience in more than 90 countries, the PYXERA Global team is passionate and dedicated to navigating challenges and pinpointing purposeful global engagement opportunities for its clients and partners. Initiatives include a wide range of services from local content development to global pro bono programs and integrated community development efforts that transform lives and livelihoods.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20140219005255/en/

Celanese Corporation
Investor Relations
Jon Puckett, +1-972-443-4965
jon.puckett@celanese.com
or
Media Relations – Global
W. Travis Jacobsen, +1-972-443-3750
william.jacobsen@celanese.com
or
Media Relations Asia (Shanghai)
Phoebe Li, +86(21)3861 9210
Phoebe.li@celanese.com.cn
or
Media Relations Europe (Germany)
Jens Kurth, +49(0)69 45009 1574
j.kurth@celanese.com

Source: Celanese Corporation