SOCIAL IMPACT
With a company history as deep as International’s, it’s no surprise that we have rich, philanthropic roots. Our history of giving dates to the formation of International Harvester — the predecessor to Navistar and now International Motors — in 1902.
Early documents dating to 1904 show correspondence from Jane Addams, a pioneer of social work, recognizing 25 years of International’s charitable contributions to Hull House in Chicago’s Near West Side. Hull House served as a community hub for new immigrants, offering education, childcare, and social services.
Later tax filings show the 1947 establishment of the Navistar Foundation, which supported scholarships and education initiatives. While this organization ceased operations in 2013, International initiatives have continued, with community relations and local outreach led by employees across company locations.
In 2019, with outreach and volunteering becoming a challenge, International reenvisioned how we approach this work to make the most impact, celebrate our history, reflect our identity, exemplify our values, and advance our vision.
Since International started tracking Social Impact efforts:
- 330 employees have documented more than 2,700 volunteer hours
- 55 donors have contributed over $5,000
- Nearly 80+ causes supported
At International, responsibility is a choice we’ve made about the company we want to be. In 2025, we continued showing up for the communities where we live, work, and manufacture, putting $1.66 million behind that commitment in charitable giving across:
- Scholarships totaling $500,000
- Community grants totaling $919,000
- Sponsorships totaling $240,000
- Employee-directed Dollars for Doers funds totaling $6,000
In 2025, we partnered with nonprofits, cultural institutions, environmental organizations, and educators across our operating regions — work you’ll see throughout this page, from mobile farm stands to STEM classrooms.
ECO-FRIENDLY
MOBILE FARM STAND
CHICAGO
Seven electric mobile farm stands deliver fresh, locally grown produce to communities experiencing food insecurity. Each stop provides 100-300 pounds of food and serves 25-150 residents, while also supporting university research on food insecurity and urban farming.
SAN ANTONIO
BOTANICAL GARDEN
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
Our partnership with the San Antonio Botanical Garden brought more than 40,000 underserved community members — children, families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities — into the garden in 2025 for hands-on programs on plant science, conservation, and the local ecosystem. International supports multiple programs, including Garden for All, which ensures that everyone can experience the beauty of nature. Around 80% of children benefiting from International’s contributions attend Title 1 schools.
UP WITH TREES TULSA, OKLAHOMA
Employee volunteers planted 225 trees along Tulsa's Interstate 244, which is known as "Tulsa's Gateway to the World," in 2025. Together, more than 55 individuals from International and Up With Trees volunteered more than 300 hours to help expand the city's tree canopy. In the next 10 years, these trees can absorb approximately 38-50 metric tons of CO2.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
STRATEGIC GRANTMAKING
Community Funds are International’s approach to long-term philanthropy, focused on environmental impact and access to education. Since transitioning to this model in 2023, we have invested $1.9 million in grants to impact a network of 17 community partners.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
PARTNERS PROGRESS
Since 2023, International's Environmental Impact Funds have supported eight organizations advancing conservation, biodiversity, and habitat restoration work in the communities where we operate, totaling $1.56 million in grants so far.
Environmental Fund partners report progress towards healthier environments from three years of successful programs, which include:
- Removing over 62,000 pounds of waste from waterways.
- Presenting nature programs for more than 40,000 underserved community members.
- Planting more than 300 trees, with more than 200 volunteers.
- Converting nearly 250 million pounds of food waste into renewable energy.
- Leveraging seven electric mobile farm stands for sustainable farms to deliver up to 300 pounds of fresh produce per trip for residents in urban food deserts.
INTRODUCING ACCESS TO
EDUCATION PARTNERS
In 2025, we expanded our strategic grantmaking model by launching the Education Impact Fund. This fund strengthens STEM pipelines and improves access to workforce-relevant learning. It’s developing the next generation of transportation professionals in the communities where we live, work, and manufacture.
To date, we partner with nine educational organizations to support students and programs in:
- Automotive
- Career exploration
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Job training
- Robotics clubs
- Workforce development
In 2025, employees volunteered across environmental cleanups, STEM outreach, and cultural institution partnerships. Our employees’ 2026 goal is 1,500 volunteer hours.
EARTH DAY
In 2025, 300 employees participated in 10 events across our locations. Together, they diverted 3,000 pounds of waste, 1,600 pounds of which was electronic waste.
STEM OUTREACH
STEM Ambassadors visit classrooms and community events to bring transportation careers to life. Through interactive demos, hands-on activities, and real-world conversations, they show students what the work looks like.
For the past five years, International engineers have volunteered at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry’s STEM Career Showcases, introducing Chicago youth to the future of transportation tech. Over 1,000 students attended 2025’s early spring event.
SUPPLY DRIVES
Each year, employee campaigns across our locations raise awareness and collect supplies to support local causes. For example, teams hold back-to-school drives to help students return to school ready to learn.
• More than 300 employees at the Escobedo Assembly Plant in Mexico donated kits for 200 children in need.
• In 2025, employees in Illinois collected 1,111 pounds of food and $1,000 for the local food pantry.
FAMILY DAYS
Employee families explore nature alongside community partners, through guided hikes, garden visits, and outdoor learning days.
In 2023, we expanded our partnerships to include the San Antonio Botanical Gardens, and in 2026, we hosted our first Employee Family Day. Over 200 employees and their families enjoyed the garden’s nature exhibits and programming.
SUPPORTING THE NEXT GENERATION
In 2026, we awarded five scholarships to first-generation undergraduate students in the areas of Huntsville, Ala., and Tulsa, Okla. — home to our powertrain and school bus plants, respectively. This program supports students pursuing careers that will strengthen the transportation workforce.
Since 2022, we’ve partnered with the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Klesse College of Engineering & Integrated Design, providing financial support that enables local students entering their first semester to participate in an engineering summer bridge program. So far, 118 students have participated in the program, where they complete pre-requisites and receive academic support to prepare for a major in engineering.
Over the next five years, our momentum builds toward 2030, marking International’s 125th anniversary and over a century of giving back to our communities. As we approach this milestone, we’re doubling down on our commitment to society and the environment as core business stakeholders. By deepening our community partnerships and pioneering zero-emission infrastructure, we’re actively driving a responsible, permanent transition to sustainable mobility.
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
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When did International’s philanthropic history begin?
Our commitment to community impact is as old as the company itself, tracing back to the 1902 merger that formed International Harvester (the predecessor to Navistar and International Motors). Our charitable roots are anchored in early records from 1904, including correspondence from social work pioneer Jane Addams. In it, she recognizes the company for a quarter-century of financial support to Chicago’s famous Hull House on the Near West Side.
As the company evolved, so did our approach to giving. We formalized these efforts in 1947 by establishing the Navistar Foundation to fund education and scholarship programs. While that foundation ceased operating in 2013, our dedication to community service hasn’t wavered. Today, our social impact is driven by grassroots employee volunteerism and outreach across our locations.
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What are International’s Social Impact focus areas?
International’s defined Social Impact areas are environment and education.
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How much did International contribute to communities in 2025?
International contributed $1.665 million through scholarships, grants, sponsorships, and Dollars for Doers.
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What is International’s strategic grantmaking approach?
We invest in multi-year grants through our Community Impact Funds to drive lasting change in our core focus areas: environmental equity and educational access. We partner directly with non-profit organizations operating in our hometown communities to build sustained, long-term impact.
Although our current grant cycles are closed, we value the vital work local organizations do every day. We’ll post updates regarding future funding opportunities here as they become available. -
How do International employees support community impact?
International volunteers drive our community commitment and are central to our corporate culture. Employees track their progress via a Volunteer Dashboard to log their time and track their collective impact across initiatives like Earth Day events, STEM outreach, supply drives, and community Family Days.
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Does International offer scholarships?
Yes. In 2026, International awarded five first-generation undergraduate students a one-time $10,000 scholarship to support their full-time studies. The scholarship program, open to students in the Huntsville, AL, and Tulsa, OK, areas, rewards academic excellence and supports students pursuing careers that will strengthen the transportation workforce.
While our scholarship application window is currently closed, we update this page regularly with future scholarship opportunities and application deadlines.
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