Supporting social justice throughout the U.S.
Giving back to our Vermont communities.
Engaging Ben & Jerry's employees.
Supporting social justice throughout the U.S.
Giving back to our Vermont communities.
Engaging Ben & Jerry's employees.
The Ben & Jerry’s Foundation is a Social Justice Organization.
We support grassroots organizations working in their communities to achieve social and environmental justice and by doing so help create a better future for all. We are especially interested in supporting communities who have historically been denied power. We believe the people most impacted by injustice are in the best position to propose a solution.
Through our Vermont programs we support projects to enhance the well-being of all Vermonters. We are especially interested in programs to advance racial justice and social equity.
Our philanthropy is guided by Ben & Jerry’s employees who serve on committees that make our funding decisions.
Ben & Jerry’s Foundation Trustee Statement : April 22nd, 2025.
Following the merger with Unilever in 2000, the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation continued as an independent, private foundation receiving a required annual allocation from Unilever. The Foundation makes approximately $5 million in grants each year in support of small, grassroots organizations working to achieve social and environmental justice. That work is more important than ever.
Over the twenty-five years since the merger, the relationship between the foundation and Unilever has worked well. The foundation has remained consistent and steadfast in its mission and funding priorities since its inception in 1985 following the original Ben & Jerry’s becoming a public company. Unilever has funded the work of the foundation as a social justice organization throughout the years since the merger without any issues being raised. We are hopeful we will have the same cooperative relationship with The Magnum Ice Cream Company, the new spin-off company for Unilever’s ice cream business. We have reached out to Unilever for clarification of news reports about the Foundation’s ongoing financial support.
