Community

A Culture of Giving with Behr Cares

“Do the right thing is more than just a saying among Behr teams, it’s a guiding principle to make a positive impact in the communities we live in. Twenty years ago, the Behr Cares Program was established to give team members in the United States the opportunity to volunteer and support the nonprofit organizations and causes they care about, marking two decades of commitment to do the right thing. Today, it has grown into a formalized program which provides team members up to eight hours of paid time off to volunteer with eligible nonprofit organizations of their choice. 

It all began back in 2003 with a note in the company suggestion box from Jeanne Duncan who was a Graphic Artist at the time. Today, she is a Marketing Director on the Color + Creative team. Jeanne had a personal interest in charitable work and wanted to bring that passion to Behr. “When I was out at these charity walks, I would see other company volunteers with matching tee shirts, recalls Jeanne. “I wanted Behr to have that too. 

On April 13, 2003, Behr held its first-ever Behr Cares event – a charity walk to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis with team members and their families in attendance. The event kickstarted a growing movement for Behr to give back to local communities. Within the first two months since Behr Cares formed, nearly $5,000 was raised – a testament to the team’s passion and willingness to make a difference. 

When reflecting on the early days of Behr Cares, Jeanne is grateful her suggestion did not go unnoticed and sparked the beginnings of something new. “It showed me that Behr cared. People are proud to wear their tee shirt with the Behr logo on it, and when our volunteers are out helping others. it reflects our culture of doing good.

Today, Behr’s commitment to making a lasting impact extends beyond volunteer work. In addition to monetary grants, Behr donates hundreds of gallons a year to various nonprofits across the nation to beautify neighborhoods with artwork and rehabilitate communities for underserved individuals. “Our contributions have come a long way over the years, says Drew Hatcher, Sr. Director of Contract Management, who leads the Behr Cares program today. “As a company, we have always believed in doing the right thing, and this is one of the many ways Behr makes an impact.

Learn more about Behr Cares and how we make a meaningful difference, visit behr.com/careers