John Deere Foundation continues to impact communities and engage employees during pandemic
John Deere and United Way partner globally to fight hunger, invest in youth education, and engage employees in community service. This story was updated in December 2025 as part of celebrations for John Deere’s ten-year partnership in Europe & the Middle East, decades-long partnership in the US, and founding membership in the President’s Circle of the United Way Leading Corporate Partners Program, which recognizes partners who raise or invest $5 million USD annually.
The COVID-19 pandemic is making longstanding inequities, including food security and access to educational support, worse. This is especially true for children and youth. Across communities in Europe and the Middle East, United Way and the John Deere Foundation partner to prevent and reduce food insecurity, and to provide education and training for the most vulnerable students.
This multi-faceted partnership addresses many issues: growing local demand for support to cover basic needs; schools and community organizations seeking more volunteers and resources to carry out regular (and increased) activities; and identifying opportunities for social connection.
In 2021, John Deere continued this important work in France, Germany, Israel, and the United Kingdom, conducting many activities virtually due to public-health restrictions. Through the dedication of John Deere employees and partners, 116,060 individuals received access to food or hygiene products, and 11,222 youth benefited from mentoring and other educational support programs.
Over 25% more volunteers participated in United Way and John Deere partnership activities than in the previous year, contributing 77% more volunteering hours than in 2020. One volunteer in Israel described their experience, saying “I was happy to volunteer and meet lovely people who help families in need in the community,” and, in the UK, another shared, “Fantastic opportunity to give back to the community. [...] Great to see the students develop and participate throughout the program.”
The success of this partnership is a result of John Deere and United Way’s shared commitment to activating local networks for good, connecting those networks globally, and enriching the communities where they live and work. Tools for achieving this success include impact investments to key programs for healthy communities and youth opportunity, expanded workplace volunteering programs, and capability-building grants to United Ways and other nonprofits located near John Deere worksites.
As we look ahead, this partnership continues to demonstrate how shared values and collective action can mobilize communities across the globe, so every family and community has the opportunity to thrive.