Donor Advised Fund
Haworth Helps
Founded in 1948, Haworth was born in a Holland schoolteacher’s garage. Today, the company has a global reach and enriches spaces with award-winning furniture, interior architecture, luxury lifestyle products, knowledge, and technology solutions to help create beautiful rooms and achieve business goals. In 2022, Haworth had $2.5 billion in global sales and 8,000 employees worldwide. While the company has grown exponentially, Haworth remains family-owned with its headquarters in Holland.
Since the beginning, Haworth has been a company that invests in communities. “We recognize that our success is intrinsically linked to the health and vitality of the communities where we live and work. It is an honor and a privilege to use the assets, capabilities, and resources that help make us successful to also help our communities prosper,” said Dick Haworth.
Dick, who now serves as Chairman Emeritus of the company, formalized Haworth’s commitment to community by drafting a foundational values statement in 1975. Those values have been refreshed in response to a changing world and an evolving business environment. The core values remain consistent and have helped guide Haworth through its three generations of family leadership.
“Our values play an important role in the company, acting as a blueprint for today’s activities and tomorrow’s growth both locally and globally,” said Dick. “We believe we create the greatest value by providing employment to quality people as a company of good character. Haworth’s foundational values are listening to our customers, relying on our members, honoring integrity, embracing continuous learning, leading with design, creating value, and working to make the world better. “
From those foundational values, Haworth has defined three areas of corporate investment and responsibility. The company is committed to supporting and strengthening communities; creating economic value; and protecting and restoring the environment. Haworth employees are encouraged to contribute their time and talents through service projects with local nonprofits. Each year, members are encouraged to volunteer during their paid business hours.
Haworth has been charitably investing in the communities in which it operates for decades. In 2021 the company named their corporate giving program “Haworth Helps.” Haworth Helps is a non-endowed Donor Advised Fund through the Community Foundation of Holland/Zeeland. “We are excited to partner with CFHZ for the Haworth Helps Fund. They have a demonstrated ability to handle the administrative side of grant making and reporting, knowledge of the local nonprofit sector, and commitment to helping their community flourish,” said Diana Sprik, Director of Philanthropy for Haworth Helps.
Haworth Helps has ensured the company’s foundational values are at the heart of every decision made to benefit our communities. Amongst the nonprofits that have recently received support are Greater Ottawa County United Way, Children’s Advocacy Center, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holland, Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes, Outdoor Discovery Network, Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity, and many more.
In addition to the positive change created by funding nonprofit work, Haworth is also building stronger relationships with local community members. At a time when attracting and retaining talent is challenging, programs like Haworth Helps create a sense of purpose and fulfillment for current employees and demonstrates to potential employees that the company is committed to a community in which all its members can flourish.
“We want to contribute to projects that cultivate hope for the future,” said Matthew Haworth, Chairman. “Providing financial assistance to local nonprofits in the West Michigan area through Haworth Helps is one part of Haworth’s commitment to making the world better.”