Donor Spotlight: American Heroes Fund

Ralph Lauren’s deep personal commitment to philanthropy has inspired a company culture of giving back and helping those in need. In 2001, the Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation was established as a charitable organization with a mission to support programs for cancer care and prevention, education and community building in underserved areas, and areas it determines may require relief or assistance. 

In the days following the September 11th attacks, the Foundation created The American Heroes Fund, dedicated to supporting individuals and their families who were gravely impacted on that tragic day. The Fund allowed the Company’s employees, as well as their customers and related business partners, the opportunity to participate in the relief effort. The Company matched employee contributions dollar-for-dollar and donated 10% of customer purchases at Ralph Lauren stores and online during the month of October 2001. 

In 2002, the American Heroes Fund granted $2.5 million to establish a 20-year partnership with the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund. This program provided educational scholarships to children of those who died or were permanently disabled as a result of the September 11th attacks.

This meaningful commitment has provided 456 scholarships to children of September 11th victims, including airplane crews and passengers, World Trade Center and Pentagon employees and visitors, and first responders. 

The Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation is proud to have supported the brave and talented family members of the American Heroes lost on September 11th, 2001. We remain dedicated to supporting the resilient and determined students and families of the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund until our commitment is fulfilled and, in doing so, honoring those who lost so much on 9/11.