The VF Foundation Impact Report - Catalyzing Change

CATALYZING CHANGE

Photo by Joe Martinez, courtesy of Trust for Public Land

DRIVING A MORE ACTIVE, EQUITABLE & SUSTAINABLE WORLD

At VF Corporation, we are committed to being far more than a footwear and apparel company.

We believe that VF and our brands are uniquely positioned to help find solutions to some of the world’s greatest challenges. And at The VF Foundation, we focus on areas where we can do the most good, combining the unique strengths of our business alongside our philanthropy to deliver greater societal impact and drive systems change.

Together, The VF Foundation and VF Corporation’s portfolio of brands invested more than $18 million* in monetary grants and product donations in FY 2023 to positively impact millions of people and the planet we share. Additionally, we leveraged the talent of our associates for volunteerism and employee-giving campaigns to support meaningful action in the communities where VF operates around the world.

We’re committed to addressing the issues and events of our time, testing ideas and taking risks to help build an inclusive and resilient economy; advancing opportunity through sports and education to address systemic disparities; elevating and empowering women and girls; tackling the urgent need for climate solutions and

providing humanitarian relief and recovery when and where it is needed.

Additionally, we are working to change how our industry impacts the planet by funding organizations that are reimagining sustainable materials, empowering growers who are continuing to apply regenerative agricultural practices and helping to scale adoption of innovative approaches to circular product design and development. These investments are helping to transform environmental challenges into business and societal progress.

Take a moment to meet the changemakers in this year’s report who turned our grant funding into impact. We are so proud to partner with them and to help fuel their work as we generate additional ways to be a catalyst for a more active, equitable and sustainable future for all.

Bracken Darrell CEO and President, VF Corporation & Foundation Board Chair

THE VF FOUNDATION IMPACT REPORT

Quite simply, we are passionate about harnessing collective action for good.

This year’s report will introduce you to the innovative work, ideas and promising results, and highlights the people, organizations and causes that are shaping a better tomorrow. Their stories show us that transformative impact can occur when we work together and share knowledge and learnings for the good of all.

As a catalyst for change, The VF Foundation works to drive community development and helps create lasting economic improvement that will benefit future generations. That’s why we also invest in organizations that mobilize resources to empower local decision-making and action so that these partners become agents for good in their own communities.

“Together, The VF Foundation and VF Corporation’s portfolio of brands invested more than $18 million* in monetary grants and product donations in FY 2023 to positively impact millions of people and the planet we share.”

We hope you’ll take a moment to read how The VF Foundation supports those who champion increased participation of under-resourced and underrepresented communities. You’ll meet the visionaries who are advancing climate solutions through circular and regenerative practices, including promising innovations in reducing textile waste to fueling green jobs. And we’ll introduce you to the organizations that are shaping a more accessible outdoors and fashion industry and share the inspirational stories of elevating and empowering women and girls in vulnerable communities around the world.

As always, we are grateful for the nonprofits, businesses, philanthropic partners, governments and communities across the globe who have joined us and amplified our resources for collective action. They, too, are catalysts for achieving shared goals and we couldn’t help improve the world without them.

Gloria Schoch Senior Director, Global Impact, VF Corporation & Foundation Executive Director

Photo courtesy of Yayasan

Cinta

Anak

Bangsa Foundation

WE ARE A CATALYST FOR CHANGE

We invest in societal movements that are yielding life-transforming, planet-protecting, people-empowering impact. The VF Foundation supports people and communities around the globe by supporting organizations that share our passion for advancing a more active, equitable and sustainable world. Our grants help cultivate meaningful societal change, including introducing more people to the great outdoors, striving for equity and inclusion in workforce development, empowering women and girls and accelerating climate solutions for the fashion industry and beyond.

We are committed to scaling impact globally and supporting community partners who embody our core values through the following program areas. Since the Foundation’s inception in 2002, we have granted more than $70 million and reached more than 12 million people worldwide in partnership with VF’s brands and people.

We

focus on areas where we can do the most good — combining the unique strengths of our business alongside our philanthropy to deliver greater societal impact and drive systems change.

Bracken Darrell,

CEO and President, VF Corporation & Foundation Board Chair

THRIVING OUTSIDE

We believe in the power of nature and the importance of making it accessible to all to fuel active and inclusive communities.

PROTECTING THE PLANET

We believe we must be innovative global stewards, helping drive a more sustainable apparel industry and outdoor recreation economy.

POWERING POTENTIAL

We believe in unlocking economic opportunity through education and advancing gender equity and social inclusion across the apparel sector, outdoor recreation industry and skilled trades to fuel the passions and dreams of the leaders of tomorrow.

HUMANITARIAN RELIEF

We believe in supporting humanitarian relief and recovery efforts when disasters strike communities where VF operates around the world because helping others is a responsibility we all share.

Photo courtesy of Cambodian

OUR PARTNERS AT A GLANCE

The VF Foundation is proud to be a catalyst for good, building on our values and driving impact that changes the world for the better. We empower and nurture promising causes and organizations to help them grow. Our grants have served as seed investments to transform nonprofits, change the lives and trajectories of those working in the communities we serve and create multi-generational impact. The inspiring stories in this report reflect just some of the changemakers with whom we’ve partnered.

We invest in collaborative partnerships through direct service grants, workforce training and development, capacity-building, early stage research, promising pilots, education and outreach, policy advocacy and systems change to help find solutions in the areas where we can have the most impact.

ADM CAPITAL FOUNDATION

BASECAMP OUTDOOR

BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTE

CIVIC CENTER CONSERVANCY

COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

COMMUNITY INITIATIVES

CREATIVES WANT CHANGE

DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

DOWNTOWN DENVER PARTNERSHIP

ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING FOR KIDS

FASHION SCHOLARSHIP FUND

FIRST DESCENTS

FLOCK TOGETHER

FORUM FOR THE FUTURE

GET LIT

GIRL SCOUTS OF THE USA

GIRLS AT WORK

GIVE2ASIA

GLOBALGIVING

GREENSBORO CHAMBER FOUNDATION

GUILFORD EDUCATION ALLIANCE

IMPACT FARMING FOUNDATION

LATINO OUTDOORS

LEICESTER CITY IN THE COMMUNITY

LONDON WILDLIFE TRUST

LONGBOARD WOMEN UNITED

NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION

NATUURPUNT

NEAR SOUTHSIDE

OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY

OUTDOOR AFRO

OUTDOOR ALLIANCE

OUTDOOR RECREATION ROUNDTABLE

PARADOX SPORTS

PROJECT FEARLESS

PROTECT OUR WINTERS

RAISEFASHION

READY FOR SCHOOL READY FOR LIFE

REDRESS

REGENERATIVE RISING

SALAZAR CENTER FOR NORTH AMERICAN CONSERVATION

SAVORY INSTITUTE SHIMMY

SOIL HEALTH INSTITUTE

SUMMIT FOUNDATION

THE INDUSTRIAL COMMONS

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY

THE OUTDOOR FOUNDATION

THE PARK PEOPLE

TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND UNHCR UNICEF

UNITED NATIONS FOUNDATION

UNITED WAY OF GREATER GREENSBORO

UNIVERSITY OF DENVER

UVALDE CISD MOVING FORWARD FOUNDATION

WATERAID

WOMEN’S WILDERNESS

YAYASAN CINTA ANAK BANGSA FOUNDATION

YOUTH SEEN

RESILIENCE FUND FOR WOMEN IN GLOBAL VALUE CHAINS

GREENSBORO PARKS FOUNDATION

Photo courtesy of Near Southside

BREAKING DOWN OUR IMPACT*

$7,969,500

62 GRANT PARTNERS

2,107,857 PEOPLE REACHED

47 COUNTRIES

GRANTS BY PROGRAM AREA

GOVERNANCE AND EVALUATION

Grants are anchored in our mission to help achieve lasting impact. Solicited and non-solicited applications are reviewed and evaluated twice annually by the Foundation’s Grants Review Committee, consisting of cross-functional leadership representing VF’s business and brands. Foundation staff and the committee identify applications that have the strongest alignment with the Foundation’s impact goals and program areas. Recommended grants are subsequently reviewed by the Foundation’s Board of Directors for final grant consideration.

Each year, The VF Foundation asks grantees to self-report data through a grantee results report on estimated program reach, alignment with Foundation program area(s), populations served (by age, gender, race/ethnicity and household income level), challenges faced, program success factors and progress made on grant and programmatic goals. Submitted data is reviewed, vetted and aggregated for impact measurement and reporting purposes.

The grant application and the grantee results report can be found on vfcfoundation.org.

DEMOGRAPHICS OF INDIVIDUALS REACHED*

AGE

GENDER

BY RACE/ETHNICITY**

Photo courtesy of Skateistan

PROTECTING OUR PLANET OUR PLANET

We are powering sustainable, planetsaving change for the betterment of all. We are proud to help grow the fashion and outdoor industries’ role in addressing climate change, advocating for climate and environmental justice and helping fuel regenerative practices that help to create a positive relationship with nature.

by

Photo

Steven Walter, courtesy of First Descents

4.5 MILLION

POUNDS OF WASTE WERE DIVERTED FROM THE LANDFILL BY MATERIAL RETURN IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2023

I work with our manufacturing clients to help keep their waste out of the landfill. I feel really good about working at Material Return and the impact we make. It’s really cool to see old scraps get turned into something new.

Herron Harper, Warehouse and Materials Manager, Material Return

150,000

UNITS OF CIRCULAR PRODUCTS WERE PRODUCED FOR CLIENTS IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2023

THE INDUSTRIAL COMMONS

MATERIAL RETURN - CUSTOM CIRCULARITY

| NORTH CAROLINA

Material Return was created by The Industrial Commons as a solution to custom circularity initiatives that help reduce manufacturers’ environmental impact, create circular products and support the local community through green jobs. This project aims to divert millions of pounds of textile waste from the landfill, provide quality jobs to North Carolina textile workers and develop a scalable system that national brands can access to create circular loops for new products.

With funding from The VF Foundation for operational capacity building to help scale their business model, and as part of an ongoing partnership with Smartwool® called the Second Cut Project, Material Return developed, tested and produced a circular yarn with 50% circular fibers. This yarn met all performance comparisons of original virgin yarn used in textiles,” explained Sara Chester, Co-Executive Director of Industrial Commons. “We knew this waste could be transformed into a new raw material to produce apparel that met the same quality and price standards as products made from virgin materials.” The resulting yarn led to

Smartwool’s first circular sock, which won a 2023 ISPO Award recognizing innovative sports products and services.

Material Return’s vision is to become a multimillion dollar social enterprise. As a result of this project they have three new research and development contracts with brands that want to replace virgin fibers with circular fibers. Additionally, Material Return and The Industrial Commons were selected as a U.S. National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engine, which could result in an investment of up to $160 million over the next ten years. Alongside their textile innovation partners in the region, this prestigious grant will allow them to build out a localized circular textile economy in the Southeast U.S. to bring jobs and development back to the region.

$25,000 2022 GRANT

$25,000 2023 GRANT

Photo courtesy of Material Return

BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTE

DESIGN FOR DECOMPOSITION

| GLOBAL

By embracing circularity the fashion industry can play a significant role in advancing environmental stewardship and helping to foster a regenerative economy. One circular design principle, which is in the early stages of research and testing, is biomimicryinspired materials that follow the laws of nature. The aim is to convert textiles into biocompatible materials and help find innovative approaches to repurpose existing post-consumer fashion waste.

To this end, with support from The VF Foundation and catalytic funding from other partners, the Biomimicry Institute, which is dedicated to nature-inspired solutions, conducted a waste characterization analysis of materials on over 170 decomposition technologies, applying them to promising pilot programs. “Our analysis uses industrial ecological principles to match different decomposition products from alternatives and define their financial and ecological opportunities. Our goal is to tie it back to the circular economy as next-generation materials and build on it,” explained Beth Rattner, Leader of Design for Decomposition.

The team in Europe is piloting decomposition technology pathways that can process textile waste and turn it into useful raw material outputs for other industries. Initiative consultant, Lauren Bright, has been working with the in-region partners to identify the technologies for these pathways. In The Netherlands and Germany, they are working to divert bales of unwanted or unusable textile waste from incineration, landfill or export in partnership with municipalities.

In Accra, Ghana, they have partnered with The Or Foundation, who are empowering communities to safely manage waste and help restore damaged ecosystems.

“Additionally, we are partnering with Yale University’s Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering,” Beth said. “We are engaging the foremost experts in biodegradation and green chemistry to deeply understand natural decomposition and provide needed industry guidance for next-generation textile fibers and materials.”

$100,000 2022 GRANT

$50,000 2023 GRANT

In Europe, the direct benefit of our work is local job creation as well as the economic benefit of a new stream of biocompatible materials made from discarded waste. The broader impact of our pilots is alleviating solid waste, and air and water pollution which impacts human and environmental health.

Beth Rattner, Former Executive Director, Biomimicry Institute; Current Leader, Design for Decomposition

Photo

Photo courtesy of VF Corporation

OF THE WORLD’S APPAREL PRODUCTION ORIGINATES IN ASIA 80%

OF A PRODUCT’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT IS DETERMINED AT THE DESIGN STAGE

REDRESS

RESEARCHING THE TEXTILE WASTE LANDSCAPE ACROSS ASIA

| ASIA

Redress is an environmental nonprofit on a mission to educate and empower the fashion industry to reduce clothing’s negative environmental impact. They are catalyzing change in Asia by slowing the creation of textile waste while creating systems and partnerships that generate and showcase value in existing waste. With funding from The VF Foundation, Redress created and implemented a research project to map the current industry landscape across Asia. They were able to publish key findings, make recommendations for the greatest areas of opportunity in the region and identify levels of sustainability knowledge within the industry and in higher education across Asia.

79%

OF RESPONDENTS AGREED THAT IMPLEMENTING CIRCULAR DESIGN POSES CHALLENGES

“Our goal was to better understand barriers to closing circularity knowledge and skills gaps within the industry,” said Hannah Lane, Development Director at Redress. “Asia represents 60% of the world’s apparel production and some of the fastest-growing emerging markets for fashion consumption. However, there is currently little or no sustainability accountability here. The global fashion industry’s conventional ‘take-makedispose’ model is a significant environmental threat and it is vital to create circular business opportunities and accelerate the transition to better methods of design, production, consumption and disposal of clothes.”

484

DOWNLOADS OF THE RESEARCH REPORT

SAVORY INSTITUTE

| SPAIN

LANDING IMPACT ACROSS THE IBERIAN PENINSULA $138,000

Regenerative agriculture has shown impressive results in the Iberian Peninsula over the last three decades; however, the underlying situation remains grim for agriculture there due to a complex number of factors affected by demographics, cultural changes and ecological realities. “Organic and regenerative agriculture in the Peninsula still constitutes less than 10% of the total industry,” Nicholas Sharpe, Director of Global Projects for the Savory Institute explained. “Farming is not seen as a viable profession by the majority of the population, and conversion to more sustainable forms of production is largely driven by subsidies that don’t empower

farmers to make decisions based on their specific context.”

With support from the Timberland® brand and The VF Foundation, the Savory Institute is working to ensure that a majority of land in the Peninsula is undergoing measurable regeneration to aid productivity, help increase carbon capture, water retention, wildlife habitat and biodiversity within a transparent, incentive-driven system that aims to create a positive return to farmers.

“In addition to in-person training and materials, participant farms benefit from online and telephone support systems

and in-person visits to review land plans, set-up grazing charts, inspect grazing intensity and recovery and provide support for farmers transitioning from conventional to regenerative practices,” explained Nicholas. “This human element provides the most encouragement to support producers to continue on their journey.”

Savory Institute’s goal is to shift 1/4 million hectares of grasslands across the Iberian Peninsula to regenerative management within five years.

Regenerative is a term that encompasses a variety of environmentally and socially conscious practices which aim to help promote biodiversity, enhance water cycles, improve soil health and sequester carbon. As defined by PUR Project, these practices are intended to create net beneficial impacts for ecosystem services, farmers and local communities.

Photos courtesy of Savory Institute

MILES OF ACCESS WAS OPENED TO TRAIL SYSTEMS ACROSS THE PIKE NATIONAL FOREST AND ARAPAHOROOSEVELT NATIONAL FOREST

FEET OF FENCE, 80 FEET OF NEW TRAIL AND 62 FEET OF BRIDGE WERE CONSTRUCTED

HOURS OF TEAM LABOR DEDICATED TO THE PROJECT

NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION

TRAIL STEWARDSHIP STRIKE TEAM

| COLORADO

With a focus on providing quality outdoor experiences for Colorado’s recreationists, and to meet the conservation and stewardship needs of the National Forests on Colorado’s Front Range, the Trail Stewardship Strike Team was formed in partnership with the National Forest Foundation, U.S. Forest Service and Mile High Youth Corps. As they worked to steward a system of trails close to the Denver Metro area, Strike Team members were trained in the skills and experience needed for a careers in natural resources and the outdoors.

“With funding from The VF Foundation, we set out to create a team to solve capacity and stewardship issues that have prevented some public lands from being

accessed and enjoyed by the public,” explained Joe Lavorini, Rocky Mountain Program Director for the National Forest Foundation. “This funding allowed us to bring in youth employees who gave us a critical capacity boost while also learning on-the-ground skills to prepare them for future careers in the outdoors.”

Work on trail systems was prioritized based on needed improvements, including lack of annual maintenance, impacts of surging visitation and use, trail corridor blockages and erosion impacts. Joe said, “By having our Strike Team work to maintain, connect and restore these priority trail segments, we are addressing problems for years to come.”

The Strike Team has been a force in cultivating the next generation of Front Range stewards. Through the program, we hired and trained a diverse and inspiring team of 30 young people over four months.

Joe Lavorini, Rocky Mountain Program Director, National Forest Foundation

Photo courtesy of National Forest Foundation

FUELING AN INCLUSIVE TALENT PIPELINE PIPELINE

We’re driving change for the future of our industry. We foster creativity, mentoring and educational opportunities to grow an inclusive talent pipeline that will fuel unique perspectives and diverse new talent to the fashion, apparel, outdoor and skilled trades industries.

by

Photo

Nicholas Bruno for California College of the Arts, courtesy of Creatives Want Change

6,000+

JOB SEEKERS PARTICIPATED

EMPLOYERS PARTICIPATED 2,000+

OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY

TALENT DATABASE RESEARCH WITH BASECAMP OUTDOOR

| USA

Workforce diversity is an industry-wide goal within the outdoor recreation economy. However, many organizations struggle to find diverse candidates and job seekers find it difficult to access openings. Oregon State University (OSU) looked at the inadequacies of standard recruiting methods and set out to survey 78,000 members of Basecamp, an online community connecting individuals to grow their careers in the outdoor, active lifestyle and action sports industries, to further understand the demographics, skills and interests of job seekers in the outdoor industry. Their goal was to develop a holistically inclusive talent and job board which connects employers with their ideal candidates.

“With this grant we worked to better understand how recruiting and hiring happens in the outdoor recreation industry and determine the biggest barriers to hiring and recruiting from both the employer and job seeker perspectives,” said Kate Porsche, Interim Director of the Center for

200,000+

JOB SEEKERS AND EMPLOYERS IN THE BASECAMP ECOSYSTEM WILL GAIN FREE ACCESS TO THE JOB BOARD

the Outdoor Recreation Economy at OSU.

“We are also researching how to better understand AI and its potential and/or limitations when it comes to bias mitigation in recruiting and hiring. Our ultimate goal is to power the development of technology that helps overcome these barriers.”

The overall development of this recruiting technology is an evolution of Basecamp’s ecosystem which has grown from a simple community space to digitally connect people in the outdoor industry into a series of newsletters, job seeker resources and networking events.

The VF Foundation grant helped fund a beta test of employers and job seekers in the outdoor industry and enabled OSU and Basecamp to understand which technological mechanisms reduce bias in the hiring process; which skills are most

OF THE BASECAMP COMMUNITY ARE FROM MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES AND ARE GRANTED FREE ACCESS TO PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP

often associated with hiring in the industry as a whole and to particular roles or jobs; and the best ways to alleviate stress in the hiring process for both job seekers and employers.

The research has increased understanding of how to more effectively and equitably present candidates to employers and provide suggestions and recommendations for future research on skills gaps and skills shortages within the industry.

Employers and job seekers can access the new Basecamp Job Board and matching technology via BasecampJobs.com.

THE EXPECTED USAGE FROM 2023 TO 2024 DUE TO FREE AND ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY

$47,000 2022 GRANT

This project moves us forward in understanding the outdoor industry workforce and how to work toward making jobs more accessible and reducing bias during recruiting.

$47,000 2022 GRANT

Kate Porsche, Interim Director, the Center for the Outdoor Recreation Economy, OSU

Photo courtesy of Basecamp Outdoor

The VF Foundation’s partnership has been essential as we co-create a program to transform the outdoor industry. An interdisciplinary program of this nature is rare - a testament to our shared vision and commitment to developing professional, diverse talent and leadership.

Vivek Choudhury, Dean of Daniels College of Business, University of Denver

UNIVERSITY OF DENVER

LEADERSHIP IN THE OUTDOOR RECREATION INDUSTRY

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

| DENVER, COLORADO

There is an increasing demand for tailored workforce development and professional education in outdoor recreation to meet the demands of a rapidly growing industry and mounting challenges facing wilderness areas in the U.S.

To address this need the University of Denver (DU) launched its Leadership in the Outdoor Recreation Industry (LORI) Program in spring 2023, welcoming a class of 18 students. This unique program which integrates courses in business, law and

public policy provides interdisciplinary training to individuals seeking to enter the outdoor industry and those within the industry who want to obtain advanced industry-specific knowledge in areas such as financial models, marketing, sustainability, ESG, legal issues in land use and access, supply chain, public policy and datadriven decision-making. The program was made possible through a multiyear grant from The VF Foundation to support operating costs and curriculum development, as well as scholarships for diverse students based on merit and financial need.

“Advancing an inclusive pipeline for the outdoor industry is our top priority with the LORI program and these principles are woven into the coursework,” said Meriel Hughes, Associate Vice Chancellor, University Development. “We are focused on recruiting students from nontraditional

populations and we have engaged guest lecturers to speak on issues of access and inclusion. We are also recruiting adjunct faculty from underrepresented communities to incorporate these topics in their broader lesson plans.”

The systemic forces affecting the diversity of the talent pipeline begin with the very consumers the outdoor industry seeks to engage. Many outdoor activities are economically inaccessible to historically excluded communities, including Black, Latinx, Asian Americans and Native American communities. Additionally, costs of gear, entrance fees, lack of vacation days and other factors make it extremely difficult for individuals from underserved communities to participate in outdoor recreation.

“The outdoors can become more inclusive once we level the power imbalances,” Meriel said. “Homogeneous leadership

and singular perspectives have resulted in sizable blind spots when it comes to inclusive outdoor experiences. Lifting barriers and expanding access to opportunities within the outdoor industry workforce is critical to successfully having more diverse leadership and diversity in programming and perspectives.”

Photos courtesy of the University of Denver

Together, with The VF Foundation, we’re charting a course towards a thriving, diverse and inclusive talent pipeline to help outdoor recreation continue to flourish for generations to come.

Jessica Wahl Turner, President, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable

OUTDOOR RECREATION ROUNDTABLE

OUTDOORS

WORK FOR ALL | USA

The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) is the nation’s leading coalition of outdoor recreation trade associations representing the more than $1 trillion outdoor recreation economy. With support from The VF Foundation, ORR launched a new Outdoor Workforce Hub - an innovative new resource for growing the outdoor workforce for the future. The launch followed a year spent gathering perspectives from ORR members, outdoor industry leaders and community partners to identify opportunities for the outdoor recreation economy and the 5 million professionals who support connecting people to the outdoors.

The Outdoor Workforce Hub features a number of interactive tools designed to help employers, educators and those interested in joining the outdoor recreation industry, as well as those looking to expand their careers in the sector. The Hub includes a first-of-its-kind map of nearly 250 higher education, trade and training

programs for outdoor careers; an ORR Career Path Module featuring the stories of professionals across the industry; a primer on outdoor recreation-related jobs to help a variety of audiences understand the breadth and depth of outdoor careers; and links to other impactful resources to help outdoor professionals thrive.

“We are so grateful to The VF Foundation and all of our members and partners who helped make this fantastic new resource a reality,” said Jessica Wahl Turner, President of ORR. “From ensuring that the outdoor workforce is diverse and inclusive, to identifying needs like access to affordable housing, creating training programs to fill skills gaps and combating myths and stigmas about careers in the industry, we’re proud to be leading the way and seeking collaborative solutions to our shared challenges.“

$1.1 TRILLON

OUTDOOR RECREATION’S ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION TO THE U.S. ECONOMY, ACCORDING TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

5 MILLION

JOBS SUPPORTED NATIONWIDE BY OUTDOOR RECREATION, WHICH IS 3.2% OF NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT

FASHION SCHOLARSHIP FUND

THE VF FOUNDATION X FSF COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND ALUMNI MENTORING INITIATIVES

| USA

The VF Foundation is proud to be a flagship partner with the Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF), focusing on advancing broader inclusion in the talent pipeline for the fashion, apparel and retail industries. With the grant support from The VF Foundation, FSF matched 133 FSF Alumni (college graduates, 1-3 years post-graduation) with industry professionals for one-to-one mentoring designed to foster long-term career success.

“While we have always connected with scholars in four-year universities, with this year’s funding we were able to also expand our Community Colleges Initiative,” Peter Arnold, Executive Director of FSF, said. The Community Colleges Initiative showcases the theory that students at community college - which have a higher percentage of nontraditional and first-generation students in comparison to four-year schools - are a historically untapped source of talent for these industries. This initiative identifies, enlists and supports students for career awareness via mentoring and a pre-professional experience modeled after the programming previously used for scholars from four-year colleges.

$180,000 2022 GRANT

We are dedicated to helping these students gain a foothold upon graduation and go on to succeed in their desired careers in the fashion industry.

Peter Arnold, Executive Director, Fashion Scholarship Fund

14

STUDENTS WERE RECRUITED FROM TWO-YEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROGRAMS

THE VF FOUNDATION FUNDED 10 SCHOLARS AND INSPIRED OTHER COMPANIES TO FUND FOUR MORE

43.5

THESE SCHOLARS COMPLETED AN AVERAGE OF 43.5 HOURS OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, INCLUDING CAREER AWARENESS, WORKFORCE PREPAREDNESS AND INDUSTRY-RELATED SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

46% OF FSF MENTORS ARE FSF ALUMNI, MATCHED AS “NEAR PEER” MENTORS TO COLLEGE-AGED SCHOLARS

5

FIVE COMMUNITY COLLEGES HAD SCHOLARS WHO TOOK PART IN FSF’S FOUR-DAY JOB SHADOW EXPERIENCE IN NEW YORK CITY

Photo courtesy of Fashion Scholarship Fund

GET LIT UNI(VERSE)

| LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

With the support of The VF Foundation and Vans® , Get Lit was able to launch Uni(verse), the world’s first interactive poetry platform for the classroom to inspire youth in their creative journeys. It is based on award-winning curricula and provides middle and high school students access to Get Lit English and Ethnic Studies courses online. Using a hybrid model, Uni(verse) brings technology usually reserved for STEM classes into English, Ethnic Studies and the Arts classes. “Its rigorous and inspiring programming delivers the highest level of reading and writing requirements through social/emotional components and gamified visuals that make learning fun and engaging for students and teachers,” explained Diane Lane, Founder and CEO of Get Lit.

“Uni(verse) fosters creativity and selfexpression,” explained Mason Granger, Deputy Director of Get Lit. “Uni(verse) will

revolutionize and re-energize education and forever change the way that literacy is taught. It creates a strong network of youth that share personal poems, collaborate, and communicate with each other about issues that matter in their daily lives, transforming them into poets, leaders and scholars.”

Get Lit is currently providing curriculum free of charge through Uni(verse) to nine schools in the Los Angeles and Palmdale areas through a partnership with the California State Library Foundation. Mason said, “In the near future, Uni(verse) will be available globally, igniting connections between youth wordwide, increasing literacy rates, leveling the field between youth of all socioeconomic levels and creating an international network of impassioned teacher ambassadors.”

$100,000 2022 GRANT

Uni(verse) was recently honored with the Library of Congress Best Practice Award for leveraging technology to significantly increase literacy. This wouldn’t have been possible without the support of The VF Foundation and Vans®.

Diane Lane, Founder & CEO of Get Lit

Get Lit

EMPOWERING WOMEN & GIRLS GIRLS

We are fueling change that creates equitable opportunities for women and girls. We are a catalyst in powering social movements to elevate women’s rights, championing their economic resilience, creating equitable health and education resources and providing opportunities for women and girls to thrive.

Photo courtesy of SHIMMY

SHIMMY

UPSKILLING FOR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

| BANGLADESH

A gender gap in applied technical training is one of many ways women and girls are kept from achieving their full potential. Bridging this divide through education and technical training is crucial to these women and girls taking advantage of opportunities for economic sustainability and employment.

Garment workers around the globe are facing potential widespread displacement due to the increase in automation. According to the International Labour Organization, sewing automation alone could displace 65 million workers globally.

SHIMMY is a women-led social enterprise preparing the apparel industry for the

89% OF ADULT LEARNERS REACHED IN DHAKA, BANGLADESH WERE WOMEN

future by developing upskilling and reskilling teaching applications. They partnered with The VF Foundation to provide an upskilling pilot program to empower 503 unemployed or underemployed, primarily female, job seekers in Bangladesh by enhancing their technical skills and digital literacy.

“By gaining relevant technical skills and confidence these women are able to pursue higher paying opportunities in the Ready Made Garment (RMG) sector, become better positioned for management opportunities and be leaders in their communities while having the opportunity to help guide a future of work that is fun, efficient and fair,” explained Sarah

77.7% OF THOSE WHO FOUND WORK, DID SO WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF TRAINING

95% OF TRAINEES HAD NEVER USED A TABLET BEFORE THEIR TRAINING

Krasley, CEO and Founder of SHIMMY. “Women and other vulnerable groups were our target participants.”

Women comprise 80% of the RMG workforce and they are the most at risk of job loss due to automation and technology adoption in the apparel industry. This is especially true in Bangladesh, where the RMG sector is one of the largest contributors to the country’s GDP, and where four out of five of the industry’s unskilled workers are women.

Employers prioritize able-bodied men to learn new critical competencies and give them higher-paying roles. “Women’s struggles are further compounded by a

pronounced digital literacy gap and limited avenues for them to learn the technical skills needed to keep up with automated machinery,” Sarah explained. “Considering these challenges, we are aiming to bolster the technical and digital proficiencies of women, ensuring they are equipped to navigate and thrive amidst the rapid automation-driven changes.”

$100,000 2022 GRANT

$127,000 2023 GRANT

Photos courtesy of SHIMMY

MANCHESTER GIRLS WERE PROVIDED WITH A HANDS-ON EMPOWERMENT EXPERIENCE

HOURS OF INSTRUCTION INTRODUCED GIRLS TO THE FUNDAMENTALS OF WOODWORKING AND BUILDING

GIRLS AT WORK

ON THE ROAD MIDDLE SCHOOL BUILDS

| MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE

Girls at Work, a longtime Timberland® Path of Service™ volunteer partner, empowers girls with tools and unleashes their power and potential to accomplish anything. Through their On the Road program, they’re bringing their innovative building program to middle school girls. “This program takes our highly effective, shop-based program and makes it available to every girl in our local schools, ultimately providing them with a confidence-building experience and exposing them to a new world of STEM possibilities,” explained Elaine Hamel, Executive Director & Founder of Girls at Work.

With support from The VF Foundation, Girls at Work brought the On the Road program to 450 middle school girls in Manchester, New Hampshire. “We spent nine sixhour days at Parkside Middle School and taught every girl in the school how to build a wooden coat rack,” Elaine said. “In the process, the girls experienced a hands-on empowerment activity and were exposed to STEM learning skills.”

Through the middle school builds, girls have the opportunity to experience socialization, collaboration, creativity, design, building, math, trial and error and hands-on learning. Encouraging underrepresented girls to experience and develop STEM skills helps challenge gender bias and stereotypes while exposure to STEM education and careers dismantles the notion that certain fields are exclusively for men.

“We have learned that it is crucial to work with girls at the middle school age because that is when girls tend to lose self confidence,” Elaine said. “This program helps them gain so much insight into how capable they are, how to work well on a team and how to use their critical thinking skills. For many girls it can be a turning point into thinking of career paths they hadn’t considered before.”

86%

OF PARTICIPANTS SAID THEY FELT MORE CONFIDENT ABOUT THEIR ABILITIES UPON COURSE COMPLETION

82%

OF PARTICIPANTS FELT THEY INCREASED THEIR ABILITY TO WORK WITH OTHERS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS

$20,000 2022 GRANT $25,000 2023 GRANT

By providing STEM learning opportunities to underrepresented middle school girls we can bridge the gender gap, unlock economic potential, inspire innovation, promote diversity and address societal biases.

Elaine Hamel, Founder and Executive Director, Girls at Work

Photo courtesy of Girls at Work

INCREASE IN NUMBER OF SESSIONS FROM PREVIOUS YEAR

OF PARTICIPANTS REPORTED FEELING A STRONGER SENSE OF BELONGING

SAID THAT TRAILBLAZERS

BENEFITED THEIR PHYSICAL HEALTH

WOMEN’S WILDERNESS

TRAILBLAZERS PROGRAM | COLORADO

Women’s Wilderness creates space for girls, women and non-binary people of all ages and backgrounds to find their place, their voice and their power in the outdoors. Their Trailblazers program was created specifically by and for those in their community who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color).

“Trailblazers participants improve their physical and mental health through joyful, safe, self-led opportunities to recreate, build outdoor skills and commune in nature together,” said Erin Jobe, Women’s Wilderness Development Coordinator. “Our community can celebrate the beauty of their diversity and experience transformative connections to the land and the powerful reclamation of their right to belong.”

Thanks in part to funding from The VF Foundation, Trailblazers was able to offer nine new types of activities including backcountry skiing, retreats, hiking, Chinese dragon boating, paddle boarding, rafting, cultural heritage trips, skills clinics and self-defense. “All of our programs are intentionally designed with four key pillars in mind: nature-based education, community building, cultural enrichment and physical activity,” Erin explained. “Our events are beginner-friendly and include short duration programs because we know that many women are not able to spend multiple days away from home and responsibilities. Trailblazers celebrates differences by encouraging people to go at their own pace and by honoring the cultural impacts that inform the ways we engage in nature - and in daily life.”

When I’m solo, I feel like an intruder. But with Trailblazers, I felt supported and welcomed.

Trailblazers Participant

Photo courtesy of Women’s Wilderness

PROJECT FEARLESS

ARTIVISM, SUSTAINABLE SEWING, SKATE & CREATE | AMSTERDAM

Over the course of a year with Project Fearless in Amsterdam, girls and non-binary youth were able to join a fun ARTivism program (art, climate science + activism), a Sustainable Sewing and Fashion Redesign program, and Skate & Create courses. “The purpose of all of our programs is to give kids the freedom to express themselves and build resilience as they explore new skills and gain hands-on experience of potential future career pathways,” said Merida Miller, Founder and Director of Project Fearless. “We also want them to be inspired by diverse coaches who are accessible role models for them, embodying inclusive leadership styles.”

With funding from The VF Foundation, Project Fearless welcomed 30 participants to a Girls on Boards event where they partnered with a local LGBTQ+ skateboarding community and introduced participants to a Women & Queer skatepark. Additionally, 13 girls and non-binary youth were fully sponsored to join Project Fearless’ eight-week Sustainable Sewing course. They explored sustainable fashion, made zero-waste hats, created an ‘End of Use Guide’ and amplified their impact by sharing their knowledge with friends and family. During the summer, 13 participants took part in an eight-week ARTivism course where they created a ‘Stop Gas With Stop Motion’ film and sent it to the municipality supporting Amsterdam’s gas elimination by 2040.

Finally, funding from The VF Foundation helped to fully sponsor 12 girls and nonbinary youth for a one-week Skate & Create summer camp, pushing for inclusivity at central Amsterdam’s skatepark. Together, with a female woodworker and an illustrator, they designed and built a ramp to inspire others to embrace skating.

“The success of these programs means we will continue to offer them in the future to create even more impact,” Merida said.

“The Sustainable Sewing course has become a recurring program and we were able to secure more funding from the Amsterdam municipality to cover the costs of more machines. The ramp built at Skate & Create camp became a permanent part of the Project Fearless skate courses and will continue to encourage girls and kids to be brave when trying skating for the first time. And, due to the popularity of the ARTivism course, we were able to secure another sponsor for the Autumn program, ensuring that cost is not a barrier for kids to participate.”

$25,000 2023 GRANT

Our safe, supportive environments provide a space where kids can discover who they are on their own terms. We foster inclusivity and prepare kids for future leadership.

Merida Miller, Founder and Director, Project Fearless

Photo courtesy of

Project Fearless

LEICESTER CITY IN THE COMMUNITY

URBAN FOXES

| UNITED KINGDOM

Leicester City is an English professional Football Club (or soccer as it is known in the U.S.) based in Leicester, England. With support from The VF Foundation the club’s charitable arm, Leicester City in the Community, launched their “Urban Foxes” program. “This program is designed to engage a broader female population in positive activities through skateboarding, climbing and snowsports,” explained Dan Mitchinson, Senior Manager at Leicester City Football Club. “Urban Foxes provides sports participation opportunities for girls ages 8-18, along with access to art and cultural activities, including photography, videography and graffiti artwork.”

Urban Foxes uses the power of sport to inspire young women in high-need areas. It provides sports opportunities with a focus on reducing barriers to participation, developing confidence and selfesteem, promoting positive physical and mental wellbeing and raising aspirations.

Based on research from “Reframing Sport for Teenage Girls” (March 2022), girls are losing their love of sport during teenage years at an alarming rate, and ruling themselves out rather than in. Selfbelief, capability and body image concerns can be significant issues, making girls feel vulnerable when playing sports or taking part in exercise. Conversely, over 95% of participants in Urban Foxes have reported they had improved mental and physical wellbeing, improved confidence and self-esteem and they feel inspired to engage in sports.

Photos courtesy of Leicester City Football Club

Staff Delivery Team: Georgia, Daveena, Phoebe, Paige

POWERING AN

ACTIVE & INCLUSIVE

OUTDOORS OUTDOORS

We are catalyzing change that connects more people to the power of the great outdoors. We help grow outdoor experiences that transform lives, introduce underserved populations to the wonders of the planet and fuel the next generation of environmental stewards.

600+

ATTENDEES AT ROLLING RENDEZVOUS

40,000

ATTENDEES AT ¡VIVA! STREETS SERIES OVER THE SUMMER OF 2023

ARE MORE LIKELY TO WALK OR BIKE FOR FUTURE TRIPS BASED ON SURVEY DATA

230+

BUSINESSES & NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS ENGAGED ALONG THE ¡VIVA! STREETS ROUTE 80%

DOWNTOWN DENVER PARTNERSHIP

5280 TRAIL & ¡VIVA! STREETS | DENVER, COLORADO

In the summer of 2023, The VF Foundation helped power large-scale community engagement pilots in Denver, Colorado through public street activations, including ¡Viva! Streets and the 5280 Trail Rolling Rendezvous. These programs, inspired by ciclovia culture in Latin America and urban linear parks around the world, created great opportunities for bringing downtown communities together, amplifying community

voices and expression and encouraging more sustainable ways to explore Denver’s urban environment.

“This funding helped strengthen community engagement for active transportation around downtown Denver and supports long-term projects like the 5280 Trail which will create a linear park that connects downtown Denver to other adjacent neighborhoods,” explained Ellen Forthofer, Senior Manager of Urban Planning with Downtown Denver Partnership. “The ¡Viva! Streets and 5280 Trail programs bring Denverites together to create strong connections between communities and support local businesses and downtown neighborhoods while offering greater opportunities for safe alternative transportation such as walking and biking.“

This grant is part of a larger effort to build a 5.280 mile long trail connecting downtown Denver neighborhoods, providing a new way for residents and visitors to experience the outdoors in downtown Denver.

Ellen Forthofer, Senior Manager of Urban Planning, Downtown Denver Partnership

6,000+

MAILERS SENT TO HOMES, TARGETING HISTORICALLY UNDER-RESOURCED NEIGHBORHOODS

Last summer, ¡Viva! Streets developed an interim multimodal activation that reimagined some of downtown Denver’s major streets and offered ways to safely and creatively connect neighborhoods.

The 5280 Trail is a long-term vision for a more permanent transformation of downtown’s streets, converting space currently reserved for cars into areas for walking, biking and exploring Denver neighborhoods.

“Summer 2023 programming marked an innovative chapter in finding new ways to bring the community together and build a coalition around some of the

most transformational projects planned for downtown Denver in the coming years,” Ellen said. “The grant funds received from The VF Foundation are empowering local community art and installation efforts along the trail, fueling neighborhood education and outreach and supporting active programming along the route with events like neighborhood pop-ups, fun physical activities and guided tours by foot or on bikes.”

Photo by Blush and Bee Photography, courtesy of Downtown Denver Partnership

GREENSBORO PARKS FOUNDATION

KEELEY PARK ADAPTIVE MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL

| GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA

The thrill of mountain biking is something the people of Greensboro, North Carolina want to ensure can be experienced by all. To advance this vision, Greensboro Parks Foundation has been working on the design and completion of an accessible mountain bike trail. With funding from The VF Foundation, the Adaptive Mountain Bike (aMTB) Trail at Keeley Park will be Greensboro’s first inclusive mountain bike trail. It is designed to allow people with disabilities to access the physical, mental and emotional benefits of mountain biking.

“This exciting trail includes wider paths, stable surfaces and other features that make it accessible to all members of our community because everyone deserves access to the natural world,” said Elizabeth Jernigan, Senior Planner, Greensboro Parks and Recreation.

“To ensure this trail meets aMTB standards designed for these populations, we brought in a specialized consultant with a portfolio of successful aMTB projects,” Elizabeth explained. “Thanks to the funding by The VF Foundation we completed the design for the trail, secured additional funding and purchased adaptive mountain bike equipment that will be available free of charge to the community.”

$150,000 2022 GRANT

“

Funding from The VF Foundation allowed us to secure additional city funding, furthering the impact of the Foundation’s grant.

Elizabeth Jernigan, Senior Planner, Greensboro Parks and Recreation “

57,584

RESIDENTS OF GUILFORD COUNTY LIVE WITH A DISABILITY

Photo courtesy of City of Greensboro

by

YOUTH SIGNED UP WITHIN 6 HOURS FOR THE FIRST SESSION OF SKATE SCHOOL

NEAR SOUTHSIDE

DICKIES SKATE PLAZA AND SKATE SCHOOL PROGRAM | FORT WORTH, TEXAS

On a beautiful, sunny day in April of 2023, the community in Fort Worth’s historic Near Southside neighborhood celebrated the opening of Fire Station Park’s Dickies® Skate Plaza. The Park was designed with a variety of engaging programmatic elements serving users of all ages and abilities. Made possible by a grant from The VF Foundation, Skate School programming provides equipment and lessons at no cost to engage youth and new skaters from diverse backgrounds.

This skate park, co-funded by Dickies® and The VF Foundation at a collective $300,000, has become a community hub and is convenient for youth from nearby neighborhoods who have lacked close-to-home and affordable access to various outdoor recreational activities. “Skate School was created to provide safe and supportive skateboarding instruction to children of all backgrounds,” said Mike Brennan, President of Near Southside. “Through partnerships with the adjacent Fire Station Community Center and with all

of the local skateboard leaders it delivers fitness, friendship and an appreciation of community to hundreds of children.”

“Another key goal, in addition to offering individuals free lessons and the physical fitness provided by skateboarding, was to introduce these children to role models and mentors from their same neighborhood,” Mike explained. “It has been extremely rewarding to see that goal realized and to see the positive impact the instructors are having on these kids. Thanks to The VF Foundation, we were able to make this amazing Skate School a reality, including ordering equipment for a gear library, setting up registration processes, selecting instructors and publicizing the program prior to launch.”

$150,000 2021 GRANT

$39,000 2022 GRANT

In

addition to skateboarding lessons,

we’ve witnessed

real-time life lessons in friendship and cooperation from adult skaters sharing this public space with the Skate School youth.

Mike

Brennan, President, Near Southside

Photo

Edgar Miller,

OUTDOOR AFRO

LEADERSHIP TEAM TRAINING

Outdoor Afro celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. For the past 15 years the national not-for-profit organization has reconnected Black communities to outdoor conservation, education and recreation across the United States. One of Outdoor Afro’s annual signature events – Outdoor Afro Leadership Training (OALT) – equips its selected and trained volunteer leaders to guide their local communities in nature safely and sustainably.

With funding from The VF Foundation the organization welcomed 104 new Outdoor Afro leadership volunteers in 2023. “OALT is like a family reunion,” said Outdoor Afro’s Founder and CEO, Rue Mapp. “Our volunteer leaders join us from our four regions – Midwest, Northwest, South and West – for a weekend filled with organized, intergenerational fun and outdoor learning.”

With volunteer leaders in more than 32 states, Outdoor Afro connects the community to the outdoors by creating safe, welcoming outdoor activities and teaching life-saving skills. For example, in 2019 Outdoor Afro launched its Making Waves program to teach Black kids and their caregivers how to swim.

Photos courtesy of Outdoor Afro

THIS YEAR’S PROGRAM RESULTED IN:

INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SEMILLITAS OUTDOORS EVENTS COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS YEAR

INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS YEAR

OF PARTICIPANTS EXPRESSED INTEREST IN FUTURE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

LATINO OUTDOORS

SEMILLITAS (LITTLE SEEDS) OUTDOORS | USA

According to the Outdoor Foundation, although the Latinx community is one of the fastest-growing populations in the U.S. at nearly 19 percent they only make up about 11 percent of people who regularly engage in outdoor recreation. Reasons for this include limited access to nature in majority Latinx neighborhoods, lack of public transportation, expensive gear fees and feeling unsafe and unwelcome in the outdoors.

This past year, funds from The VF Foundation supported the 2nd annual Semillitas (Little Seeds) Outdoors, including outings and events specifically for children, storytelling and virtual speaker panels. “This initiative aligns with our mission of connecting and engaging Latino communities with nature in a way that embraces our culture,“ said Vanessa Herrera, Development Manager

for Latino Outdoors. “We successfully connected Latino youth and their families to nature, exposed youth to outdoor career paths and developed parental support for families to feel confident in outdoor recreation.”

Across 18 regions, Semillitas Outdoors offered no-cost events serving upwards of 1,000 participants with outings, including bike rides, birding, day hikes, rock climbing, community gardening, picnics, stewardship activities and Earth Day celebrations. “We believe our events should be accessible to those most in need,” explained Vanessa. “This means that all of our outings are open to the entire family, free of charge, accessible to Spanish-only speakers, most include transportation and we provide all of the gear required for the outdoor activity.”

$15,000 2022 GRANT

With support from The VF Foundation we are addressing inequities, celebrating Latinos in the outdoors and mentoring the next generation of outdoor leaders.

Vanessa Herrera, Development Manager, Latino Outdoors

PROTECT OUR WINTERS

ALLYSHIP AND INCLUSION PROGRAM PILOTS

| EUROPE

Jonas Schneider, European Coordinator of Protect Our Winters (POW), knows that the most effective way to make people aware of the threat of climate change is for them to participate in the fun of winter sports. However, he explains, “The outdoor community lacks diverse representation by race, gender, income-level and more which can create feelings of exclusion and even concern for safety for underrepresented groups.”

POW is dedicated to opening up access to nature and enabling outdoor enthusiasts to advocate for non-partisan policies designed to protect our natural playgrounds. This past year, supported by a grant from The VF Foundation, POW created three pilot programs targeting grassroots communities with disabilities in France, migrant school children in Austria and winter parasport athletes in Finland.

These groups have previously faced numerous barriers, including lack of accessible facilities, limited resources and societal stigmatization. Additionally, they are often excluded from discussions and actions related to climate resiliency. Jonas explained, “By providing these communities with easier access to the beauty of nature and the joy of outdoor sports, we hope to foster a sense of belonging while also building the next generation of environmental stewards.”

NATUURPUNT

The moment one disabled person discovers the joy of a trail, the project is a success.

Filip Hebbrecht, Account Manager, Natuurpunt

INCLUSIVE PILOT PROJECTS CREATED IN FRANCE, AUSTRIA AND FINLAND 12

ORGANIZATIONS AND TWO SCHOOLS PARTNERED TO REACH UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES

ACCESSIBLE TRAILS & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

| BELGIUM

With over 133,000 members and 48,000 volunteers, Natuurpunt -- Nature for everybody -- is the largest Belgian nature conservation organization. Their mission is dedicated to standing up for nature and biodiversity and for the right of all people to access the outdoors. “We know there are many people who deal with mobility issues and we don’t want that to stop them from getting in touch with the positive mental and physical benefits of nature,” said Filip Hebbrecht, Account Manager for Natuurpunt. “This project, funded in part by The VF Foundation, is is creating trails that are accessible to all in five beautiful nature preserves.”

Not only do these trails benefit those with mobility issues, the project also lifts up the workers who help make the trails possible.

“The work to install this infrastructure is being done by people who were previously unemployed. Natuurpunt provides them a job, integrates them socially and gives them an education, decent salary and a positive work experience,” Filip explained.

The project’s first trail was completed in summer of 2023 and includes an accessible bird-watching platform. It is situated in De Blankaart, a nature reserve in WestVlaanderen, Flanders, Belgium. Additional trails are scheduled to open in 2024.

Photo by Daniel Bear Photography,

THE OUTDOOR FOUNDATION

THRIVE OUTSIDE INITIATIVE

| USA

The Outdoor Foundation’s Thrive Outside Initiative awards multi-year, capacitybuilding grants to diverse communities across the U.S. to address barriers to outdoor exploration and build networks that provide children and families with repeat and transformative experiences in the outdoors. With funding from The VF Foundation the Outdoor Foundation focused on reversing the trend of decreased outdoor participation among youth, particularly in marginalized communities. “This initiative is a catalyst to drive positive outcomes in youth development, health and wellness, environmental stewardship, leadership and advocacy through early and meaningful connections to nature and outdoor recreation,” explained Lesford Duncan, Outdoor Foundation’s Executive Director. “We believe ensuring equitable access to the outdoors benefits people and society.“

Thrive Outside helps build relationships across many organizations and community partners to maximize positive impact for the whole community. Over the past two years Thrive Outside communities have expanded from 8 to 13 regions, committing multi-year grants in Atlanta, Georgia; Grand Rapids, Michigan; the state of Maine; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma;

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; San Diego, California; St. Louis, Missouri; Twin Cities region, Minnesota; Chicago, Illinois; Detroit, Michigan; Seattle, Washington; Washington, DC and Boulder County/Metro Denver, Colorado. These communities have leveraged the Outdoor Foundation’s investment and technical assistance to expand outdoor recreation programming in their regions, build innovative partnerships with health, education and social service agencies, provide micro-grants to BIPOC-led community organizations, develop gear libraries and inform local and state policy to reduce barriers to outdoor access.

“Our community-driven, collective impact approach over the past 5 years has been widely successful in cultivating networks that will increase diverse outdoor participation across the U.S.,” Lesford said. In addition to direct community investments the Outdoor Foundation, in partnership with the Outdoor Industry Association, publishes the annual Outdoor Participation Trends Report , the most trusted and comprehensive source of insights and narratives on outdoor recreation participation.

$500,000 2022 GRANT

Photo

HUMANITARIAN RELIEF

We united VF’s people and family of brands to support humanitarian relief and recovery efforts around the world. This included The VF Foundation’s monetary seed donations and matching grants and VF’s product donations to eligible charitable organizations, as well as VF employee donations and volunteer efforts.

The Cianjur earthquake had a devastating impact on Indonesia’s school infrastructure. To create new, safe spaces for student learning, The VF Foundation donated $50,000 to the Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa (YCAB) Foundation via GlobalGiving to provide computers, classroom equipment and teacher training for a newly built school.

In response to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, The VF Foundation and VF’s employees and brands collectively donated more than $400,000 to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and GlobalGiving to support more than 6 million refugees displaced by the war, including providing shelter and cash assistance for the most vulnerable families.

In the aftermath of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, UNHCR urgently needed support to scale up its response. In Turkey, the earthquakes impacted more than 15 million people and in Syria, 8.8 million people were affected. The VF Foundation and VF brands (Altra®, Napapijri®, Smartwool®, The North Face®, Timberland® and Vans®) donated more than $800,000 in cash and clothing to help displaced families find safety, shelter and support for mental health.

Robb Elementary has been closed since the horrific shooting that took place in Uvalde, Texas and students are dispersed throughout the district. The VF Foundation donated $500,000 to the Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation to fund a gym and outdoor play spaces at the new school to replace Robb Elementary. VF’s Dickies® and Timberland® brands also donated more than $45,000 to help the community heal. The school is scheduled to open in August 2025.

2. Supporting Refugees in Ukraine

1. Rebuilding Lives in Indonesia

4. Helping Uvalde Heal

3. Turkey and Syria Earthquake Relief

Photo courtesy of Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa Foundation

Photo Credit: © Humanitarian Mission Proliska/UNHCR/Artur Ulianytskyi Photo Credit: © UNHCR

Photo courtesy of Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation

VOLUNTEERISM

During Earth Month, VF and its brands unite together around the world in service to our planet. In Denver, Colorado, VF employees partnered with the Trust for Public Land to clean and maintain 1.5 miles of trail outside the city.

From donating clothing to communities in need to helping clean up and preserve our outdoor playgrounds, volunteerism energized VF’s employees and brands around the world as we worked together to be agents for social change.

VF employees volunteered with Habitat for Humanity to help make homeownership possible for a family in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Dickies® employees and athletes joined the City of Forth Worth to volunteer at the grand opening of the Dickies Skate Plaza at Fire Station Park in Texas.

The North Face® employees and athletes teamed up with the community in more than 20 “Trash Free Trails” hikes to clean 474 kilometers of trails in partnership with The Summit Foundation and other organizations.

4. Mountain Clean-Ups Across Europe

1. Trail Stewardship in Denver

3. Creating a Skate Park for All in Fort Worth

2. Home Building in Greensboro

Photo courtesy of Trust for Public Land

Photo courtesy of Habitat Greensboro

Photo courtesy of Near Southside

Photo courtesy of The North Face®

VOLUNTEERISM

5. Uplifting Communities Across Asia

VF and Timberland® employees came together in the spirit of community service to clean beaches and care for the elderly in Kuala Lampur and Hong Kong, and provide care packages for patients in Shanghai clinics.

VF employees contributed over 213,000 volunteer hours from FY 2019 through FY 2023 to deliver positive impact on people, communities and our shared planet.

6. Honoring Fashion Scholars in NYC

Employees of Kipling® and Supreme® joined the Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF) to celebrate its mission and scholars. The brands have been part of FSF job shadows and mentorship panels to foster the creative leaders of tomorrow.

7. Celebrating Youth Creatives in LA 8. Empowering Girls in New Hampshire

Vans® was recognized at the 13th Annual Get Lit Words Ignite Gala in Los Angeles for its ongoing partnership and support of young creatives. Vans® connects with youth culture to promote creative self-expression, authenticity and individuality and its employees are proud to volunteer time and resources to Get Lit.

Thirty Timberland® Path of Service volunteers pulled on their boots to prepare lumber and materials for Girls at Work’s STEM programming in Manchester, New Hampshire. Since 1992, Timberland® employees get up to 40 hours annually of paid time to serve in the community, a benefit now extended to all VF employees.

Photo courtesy of Girls at Work

Photo courtesy of Get Lit

Photo courtesy of Fashion Scholarship Fund

Photo courtesy of VF Corporation

THE VF FOUNDATION TEAM

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BRACKEN DARRELL

CEO and President, VF Corporation

Foundation Chair

BRENT HYDER

Executive Vice President & Chief People Officer, VF Corporation

Foundation Vice Chair

COLIN WHEELER

Vice President, Corporate Affairs & Communications, VF Corporation

Foundation President

JENN SIM

Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, VF Corporation

Foundation Secretary

DOUG HASSMAN

Vice President, Global Tax & Treasury, VF Corporation

Foundation Treasurer

GRANTS REVIEW COMMITTEE STAFF

ALICIA CHIN

Director, Sustainability & Social Impact, Altra®, icebreaker®, Smartwool®

LAUREN GUTHRIE

Vice President, Global IDEA & Talent Development, VF Corporation

JEANNIE RENNÉ-MALONE

Vice President, Global Sustainability, VF Corporation

JULIE SUTTON

Senior Director, Government Affairs, VF Corporation

GLORIA SCHOCH

Senior Director, Global Impact, VF Corporation & Foundation Executive Director

JENNIFER MARGOLES

Program Manager, Global Impact, VF Corporation & Foundation

MORGAN HAWLEY FORD

Vice President, Business Strategy, Vans®

courtesy of SHIMMY

Photo