Social Responsibility

At Cooper, we are committed to enhancing the quality of life in and supporting the communities that our employees call home. We do this through outreach programs and partnerships designed to deliver measurable, positive results – on international, national and local levels. Wherever possible, we multiply the value of our cash contributions with volunteerism and in-kind donations to achieve maximum impact.

Each year, the Cooper Industries Foundation awards over $3 million in contributions, grants and matching gifts to health and human services, arts, educational, environmental and safety organizations serving Cooper’s communities. In addition, Cooper matches dollar-for-dollar our employees’ gifts of $35 or more to non-profit organizations, a two-dollars-for-one-dollar match for gifts to higher education organizations and also provides a generous match of employee gifts to the United Way.

Cooper also conducts two employee programs, the Volunteer Spirit Awards and Project Pace Education Awards, to further benefit local communities. The Volunteer Spirit Awards annually recognize Cooper’s most outstanding employee volunteers with special donations to the organizations they serve. Established in 1984, this program recognizes approximately 30 employees each year for their volunteerism. From 1984-2003, the program donated over $500,000 on behalf of employees in 18 countries. Project Pace Education Awards provide grants to schools with strong vocational or school-to-work programs in or near the communities where Cooper facilities are located. Initiated in 1989, Cooper has contributed over $2 million to vocational schools in the U.S. and Mexico through the Project Pace program.

In addition, Cooper has initiated the Cooper Scholarship program to provide scholarships to dependent children of employees. Fifty scholarships were awarded in 2003, eight to children in Mexico.

Cooper’s charitable giving is focused on education (18% of FY 2003 donations), health and human services (29%), culture and the arts (14%), the environment (8%) and the United Way.

In FY 2003, the Company donated over $100,000 to international causes. Through its Foundation, Cooper supports the Mexican Federation of Private Health and Community Development Association, which works to improve healthcare, economic development and environmental protection. Cooper also support a number of shelters, orphanages, schools and libraries throughout Mexico.

More information about Cooper’s corporate giving practices is contained in the Company’s Giving Report.