Welcome to Community Footprints^®

Engage. Contribute. Inspire. These are the guiding principles of our social and environmental responsibility program, Community Footprints. They have served us well since our 1983 mission statement when we vowed that all Ritz-Carlton hotels would be “positive, supportive members of their communities and sensitive to the environment.” At The Ritz-Carlton, we believe our global company should be aligned with the issues that are important to the communities where we operate, and strive to make a difference in three areas:

• CHILD WELL-BEING: There is nothing worse than lost potential, especially for a child. Our hotel, clubs and residences are proud to partner with local organizations that provide a safe haven and nurturing environment for children. These efforts include participating in literacy programs, building libraries and playgrounds, and offering job readiness and workplace training to disadvantaged youth. Succeed Through Service extends these efforts to mentoring young students in life-skills and career exploration and engaging them in community projects. We want to help focus them on a future that unlocks their potential, shows the value of giving back to their community, and helps steer them towards a path of success. In the three years since Succeed Through Service was launched we have impacted the lives of over 9,000 young students across the globe. 
  

• ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY: We are committed to working towards a more sustainable future by protecting and preserving natural resources and minimizing our impact on the environment. Our Environmental Responsibility strategy, includes water and energy conservation programs, recycling initiatives, sourcing environmentally preferred products, and increasing our organic dining and spa options. At our hotels and resorts around the world, our Ritz-Carlton Environmental Action Conservation Teams strive to reduce our environmental footprint and our employees work to better the environment through native plant restoration projects and protecting endangered native species.

• HUNGER AND POVERTY RELIEF: There is no simple way to break the cycle of poverty, but in our communities we partner with community organizations and social enterprises to concentrate our energies where we can make the biggest difference. From providing training opportunities, building homes, teaching life skills, cooking and serving food at shelters and providing essential resources, every contribution helps.
  

Our guests are invited to be part of our Community Footprints efforts through our award-winning Give Back Getaways voluntourism program. We have created memorable and enriching half-day voluntourism experiences that are unique to each destination and designed to make a lasting and meaningful difference.

The Community Footprints Fund was established to supplement the Community Footprints efforts of our properties around the world and support broader-based charitable causes. The Fund is formed as an Internal Revenue code 501(c)(3) organization, as part of the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region public charity.

Follow Community Footprints on Twitter: twitter.com/RitzCarltonCSR