Social Impact

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Social Impact

As a global corporate citizen, The Estée Lauder Companies recognizes that our success is inextricably linked to the communities in which we live, work and source. We also know that global challenges require collaborative solutions to create a better world and better outcomes for future generations. Through our social impact initiatives, we work together with our employees, consumers and partner organizations to tackle these challenges, drawing on the Lauder Family values of fearless persistence and generosity of spirit.

At The Estée Lauder Companies, we are unwavering in our continued commitment to put people at the center of our business and live our shared values every day. Together, we will accelerate our progress towards a more equitable and beautiful future.

Nancy Mahon, Senior Vice President, Global Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability

Breast cancer ribbon made out of flowers

Social Investments

As a global company, we have many opportunities for meaningful engagement with social impact causes that matter to our employees, customers and partners. We contribute to the communities where we live, work and source, with a special focus in areas where we see opportunities to make a difference.

Employee Engagement

We are committed to empowering our employees to drive social impact and sustainability across the business and in the communities where they live and work. The company continues to foster a culture of global citizenship that values and celebrates the importance of inclusion, diversity and equity, by supporting our employees’ passions and amplifying collective impact and shared culture of purpose.

Employee in factory with eye protection, hair net, and gloves

Employee Safety

We are committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for our employees at all times. We remain a leader in prestige beauty with regard to safety and are proud of the progress we’ve made to establish safe working environments for our employees.

$118M+

Raised by the Breast Cancer Campaign to fund research, education and medical services

$17.7M+

Cumulative ELC employee donations and company matches since FY'15 through ELC Good Works

$500M

Raised to support health and rights for all through sales of MAC VIVA GLAM lip products

SOURCE: THE ESTÉE LAUDER COMPANIES, 2022

A Culture of Service and Purpose

Our culture of giving and strong commitment to service can be traced to the Lauder family. Mrs. Estée Lauder believed that “we are only as strong as the communities we work in”. Today, the Lauder family’s renowned philanthropic efforts are separate from the company’s corporate and brand cause-related activities. Yet, through their leadership and generosity of spirit they have instilled humanitarian values into the fabric of The Estée Lauder Companies.

In the 1960s, ELC officially embedded values as fundamental part of the business. To this day, our ELC family values remains a unique part of our company culture.

The Lauder family’s first philanthropic endeavor was the creation of new and improved play areas for children in New York City’s Central Park in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Learning is an integral part of ELC’s DNA. From Mrs. Estée Lauder, the original beauty advisor, to Leonard A. Lauder, the chief teaching officer, to Evelyn Lauder, who brought formal education to the beauty counter, and to William P. Lauder, a teacher at The Wharton Business School.

Health causes received the Lauder’s support throughout the years. In 1992, Evelyn H. Lauder founded The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, now the Breast Cancer Campaign, with the launch of the iconic Pink Ribbon, and established the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in 1993.

Some of the industry’s most compassionate beauty brands found a home with ELC. Committed to addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the M·A·C AIDS Fund, now M·A·C VIVA GLAM, was established in 1994 to support those affected globally. Today, a purchase of VIVA GLAM Lipstick goes to local organizations continuing this important work.

In 1999, Aveda’s annual Earth Month Campaign launched to raise funds for organizations combatting deforestation. Today, the campaign has expanded to raise funds to protect and provide clean water for global communities where the brand lives, works and sources.

In 2006, ELC established a relationship with The Young Women’s Leadership Schools, a network of all-girls, public, secondary schools for families in underserved communities operated by Student Leadership Network. This commitment has grown into our Girls’ Education Initiative.

Fueled by our values and employees’ passions, ELC’s Charitable Foundation continues the longstanding commitments to health, education and environment with a mission to improve the well-being of our diverse global communities, and an emphasis on women and girls.

Today, our brands have the opportunity to drive impact through unique cause programs. From Jo Malone London’s focus on mental health to La Mer’s commitments to ocean conservation to Bobbi Brown’s dedication to girls' education and women’s empowerment. Visit Social Investments to learn more.