Supporting communities
We believe that businesses should contribute to a better society. IMC has been a pioneer in corporate social responsibility since the 1990s, and we were among the first in our industry to donate a meaningful percentage of our profits. Today, we remain fully committed to supporting our communities and partner charities around the world.
MAKING AN IMPACT THROUGH OUR LOCAL IMC FOUNDATIONS
Local grantmaking is the primary focus of our giving. It ensures that we support and remain visible to organizations in the places where our employees live and work.
Each year, 2% of our total profits in each IMC office location are donated to our Charitable Foundations. The Foundations determine giving priorities by developing a deep understanding of each local community's needs and soliciting input from employees.
The Chicago Foundation
Our Chicago Foundation supports early childhood and K-12 education, and addresses broader community issues such as food insecurity and gun violence prevention.
Major grantees include Chicago Public Schools, New Life Centers, and the University of Chicago Urban and Education Labs.
The Sydney Foundation
Our Sydney Foundation supports a range of health-related initiatives focused on developing regions, including parts of Asia Pacific.
Recipients include Against Malaria Foundation and the Fred Hollows Foundation, which focuses on visual impairment and blindness.
India Giving
IMC India Giving supports initiatives in education, healthcare, women’s empowerment, and human rights, reaching vulnerable communities across 15 states in India.
We empower community members to drive positive change in their own communities by collaborating with local, grassroots organizations.
The Amsterdam Foundation
Our Amsterdam Foundation was the first to be established within IMC and has supported the IMC Weekend School since 1998.
Other recipients include the educational charity De Schoolschrijver and Lifeline Ukraine.
GLOBAL FOCUS: OPPORTUNITY THROUGH QUALITY EDUCATION
While our Foundations and volunteer efforts support multiple worthy causes, we're particularly passionate about helping people reach their full potential. This commitment to supporting learning and development reflects the personal journeys of many IMC colleagues, who’ve used their education as a springboard to achieve amazing things in life.
In 2024, we celebrated IMC’s 35th anniversary by donating to the UNHCR Scholarship Fund, which will support 35 refugee scholars for four years of post-secondary education.
IMC & ROOM TO READ
IMC is a long-term funder of quality education in developing countries through our partnership with Room to Read. Since 2016, we've contributed more than $27M to support the charity's child literacy programs in Tanzania and South Africa. Much of this amount has been raised through our annual Trading and Gaming for Charity Day, where all IMC offices donate the proceeds from a full day of trading. In 2023, we renewed our partnership with Room to Read for a further five years, extending our reach into India.
EMPLOYEE INITIATIVES
We encourage IMCers to develop their own philanthropic interests through our Make-Your-Mark and Matching Gift Program initiatives. We also organize volunteer activities with our grantees and other partner organizations. We involve our interns and trainees in these activities, so that they learn about the central role giving plays in IMC’s culture.
Volunteer work
Our tradition of employee volunteering began over 30 years ago with the IMC Weekend School. Today, each IMC office organizes volunteer opportunities where colleagues spend time making a difference in their local communities. Activities include packing school supplies, tutoring students, and serving meals.
Make-Your-Mark
IMCers are encouraged to nominate charities they believe deserve support from the IMC Foundation. The local charity committee and colleagues in each IMC office then vote on the programs they feel are most deserving of support.
Matching Gift Program
IMC employees can request that the Foundations match a specified amount of personal contributions to registered charities each year. We also make contributions to recognize the efforts of IMC employees who regularly volunteer with an organization or participate in fundraising events.
IMC India Giving Initiatives
IMC Mumbai Charity Manager Karolina Brzozowska on building a giving back programme in India.