Corporate Citizenship

At Henkel, Corporate Citizenship is our way of “Making Society Future-fit”: with our activities, we empower people through education that provides them with the skillsets and competencies that lead to innovative ideas, sustainable behavior, and new digital solutions. We work together with our employees and retirees, customers, consumers, and NGOs to actively contribute to social progress and give back to our communities contributions that improve our society and adhere to our purpose and corporate values.

Deeply embedded in our corporate culture is the drive and character of Corporate Citizenship to go beyond our core daily business and make a voluntary social commitment. With these efforts, we are letting our communities know with more than words that we are Pioneers at Heart for the Good of Generations.

Corporate Citizenship in North America

We care and we act to do our part to improve the quality of life in our communities across North America.

When the coronavirus struck the world, Henkel created a Global Solidarity Program to aid communities in the fight against COVID-19. In 2020, the North America region donated more than $750,000 and more than 1.7 million units of our essential household and personal hygiene products.

As our Global Solidarity Program donations centered on basic needs of food and shelter, medical supplies and disaster relief, we also continued our support of organizations that champion equity for all, increase access to education, and serve health and housing needs.

Donations are only a part of our commitment to society. We are proud of our 9,000 employees in the U.S. and Canada for their caring spirit and activism in their communities to improve life for others. Through the Make an Impact on Tomorrow ‏(MIT) initiative, launched globally in 1998, Henkel supports the volunteer work of employees and retirees.

Enjoy highlights of our community support and impact in 2020.

Henkel volunteers and athletes at Special Olympics CT winter games in February 2020.

In January 2020, Team Henkel helped build a Habitat for Humanity home for a family in Fullerton, CA.

girl holding sustainability teaching materials

Social Partnerships

We take responsibility for the good of generations. Building on the integrity inherent to a family-owned business, we leverage the unique Henkel spirit by entering into social partnerships in the communities where we live and where Henkel operates to support social initiatives and public institutions. We realize ideas and programs that answer societal problems and challenges. We do this worldwide – in our functions on a corporate level as well as through our brands, business units and in our regions.

We strive to ensure the future readiness of society through education, especially in innovation, sustainability, and digitalization. We contribute our time to this cause by providing financial support, product donations, education, and know-how.

The team teaches lessons on the basics of general hygiene – including how to brush your teeth properly.

Corporate Volunteering

Volunteering is the lifeblood of our social commitment. When we get active on personal level, the impact can be life-changing! That is why we support our employees, retirees and teams in their social volunteering activities that contribute to a better world.

MIT: Make an Impact on Tomorrow
In 1998, the MIT: Make an Impact on Tomorrow initiative was launched making Henkel one of the first German companies to include voluntary social engagement as a key element of its Corporate Citizenship activities.

Emergency Aid

Henkel provides emergency relief in the event of natural disasters and pandemics by giving immediate aid to people placed in urgent need due to an unexpected crisis.

Henkel and its employees have donated numerous products and financial support to people in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Henkel also supports projects dedicated to helping in the aftermath of natural catastrophes such as wildfires in Algeria, Greece, Italy and Turkey as well as the flood disaster in Western Germany and the Benelux region.

Additional Information

Children experimenting at Henkel’s Forscherwelt

Forscherwelt – A Henkel Initiative

How to encourage children to take up science? Start them young!

Sustainability Publications

Archive of our sustainability publications

Fritz Henkel Stiftung

In January 2011, Henkel established the Fritz Henkel Stiftung. This foundation serves as the umbrella for our social engagement. It has close ties to the company and underscores Henkel’s long term commitment to social involvement that goes beyond its direct business interests.