March 27, 2023

The Neighborhood Grant recognizes community impact the organization has in environmental volunteer efforts to create a more sustainable planet. As part of The Starbucks Foundation’s Neighborhood Grants program, the International WeLoveU Foundation was selected to receive a $1,000 grant. This grant award is thanks to a nomination from a local Starbucks employee in Miami, FL who recognized the work of the organization’s Clean WORLD Movement – a global effort to raise awareness of the importance of environmental protection in the face of climate change.

The Starbucks Foundation invites Starbucks partners to nominate a local organization in their community. Since 2019, more than 8,000 organizations in have been awarded grants, amounting to more than $12.5 million. The Intl. WeLoveU Foundation has carried out sincere volunteer efforts in 67 different countries for over two decades. The non-profit helps the world through six main initiatives: environment, education, community well-being, disaster relief, health, and international aid. Local WeLoveU volunteers from the Florida chapter also actively lead volunteer efforts, one being their Mangrove Forest cleanup, where volunteers removed over 1,550 lbs of trash before it could enter into Florida waterways.

“We [the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation] would like to thank the Starbucks Foundation for this grant that will help advance WeLoveU’s vision to build a more sustainable and healthier world for all people,” expressed WeLoveU Project Manager, Jessica LoGreco. “WeLoveU will use the Neighborhood Grant to continue carrying out sincere volunteer efforts whether it is closing the digital divide by providing chromebooks to students in need, or planting more trees to reduce our carbon footprint, WeLoveU will continue to work with the needs of our local communities at the forefront of everything we do.”

The Starbucks Foundation’s Neighborhood Grants program supports grassroots, community-led nonprofit organizations through catalytic investments in the form of grants. Neighborhood Grants also help build sustained local impact and inspire increased partner (employee) engagement with nonprofit organizations that work in their communities.
“Our partners (employees) know their communities best, and have shared great insights about the organizations helping to uplift others in their neighborhoods, from addressing homelessness and fighting hunger to supporting youth and families,” said Alicia Vermaele, executive director of The Starbucks Foundation. “Through our latest round of Neighborhood Grants, we’re proud to support local organizations nominated by Starbucks partners who make our communities stronger.” Learn more about the Neighborhood Grants program at Starbucks Stories.

The Starbucks Foundation

The Starbucks Foundation strengthens humanity by transforming lives across the world, with a focus on enabling community resiliency and prosperity and uplifting communities affected by disaster. Established in 1997, The Starbucks Foundation is a Section 501(c)(3) charitable organization under U.S. law. Learn more at Starbucks Stories.

About the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation 

Founder and Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah established the International WeLoveU Foundation in 2001— which is associated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications (UN DGC) — as a vehicle to deliver a mother’s love to neighbors in need. The Chairwoman took a grassroots approach by personally interacting with and caring for the needs of people in her community and her efforts inspired the spirit of volunteerism into the hearts of many. Twenty-two years later, through the initiatives of emergency relief, education, health, environment, international aid, and community well-being, over 290,000 WeLoveU volunteers in 67 countries actively carry out sincere volunteer efforts throughout the global village. WeLoveU has received more than 100 honorary and presidential awards from various countries and governments, including the U.S. President’s Call to Service Award for volunteerism and the Green Apple Award for best environmental practice. For more information, visit weloveuusa.org. 

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