Through funding provided by the Hilton Global Foundation, this year’s grantees are estimated to meaningfully impact more than 50,000 community members, provide nutritious food to more than 25,000 people, divert more than 450,000 pounds of food waste from landfill, preserve more than 150 acres of land and support over 20,000 learning and career growth opportunities. This positive impact supports Hilton’s Travel with Purpose strategy and efforts to create five million learning and career growth opportunities while meaningfully impacting 20 million community members by 2030.  

As part of this global commitment, almost £400,000 will be granted to two long-standing Hilton partner organisations in the UK – the Down’s Syndrome Association and Only A Pavement Away.

The Down’s Syndrome Association’s WorkFit programme will use funds to support people with Down’s syndrome to find employment opportunities in the hospitality industry. This continues Hilton’s longstanding partnership with the organisation, through which it has employed 30 individuals across its hotels in the UK since 2018. Each applicant is assigned a WorkFit coach, who not only provides guidance to the individual, but also collaborates with managers, team leaders and work buddies on how they can support their colleagues’ development and success.

Only A Pavement Away, which connects employers in hospitality with people facing homelessness, prison leavers and vulnerable veterans, will allocate funds to provide pathways to purposeful, long-term employment within the industry. As a result of its partnership with Only A Pavement Away, Hilton currently employs 15 people across its hotels in the UK, and has successfully hosted several work skills hubs, taster sessions and employability training to support the organisation’s mission.

Julie Baker, Vice President London, Luxury and Ireland, Hilton said: “We are passionate about creating an inclusive working environment that empowers individuals from all walks of life to thrive. Through our continued partnership with WorkFit and Only A Pavement Away, we’ve had the privilege of employing and supporting many individuals who bring unique skills and perspectives to the workplace. We’re delighted that both organisations have been awarded grants by the Hilton Global Foundation to ensure they can continue to build on the invaluable support they already provide to so many people in the UK.”

Greg Mangham, Founder and CEO of Only A Pavement Away added: "Hilton has been such a valuable supporter of Only A Pavement Away for a number of years now. The team have passionately advocated for and supported our work, even beyond the generous financial assistance they have provided. In fact, Hilton is one of our leading Employer Partners and has been instrumental in helping us to get our one-week 'Passport-2-Employment' programme off  the ground, which has fast-tracked a great many of our members into long-term employment. That said, this donation is truly remarkable, these funds will go a long way in moving the charity forward in its mission to place 9,250 people facing homelessness into meaningful employment by 2028. The generosity & support of Hilton epitomises what hospitality is all about in how our industry serves the communities it works in. Thank you, Hilton."

Carol Boys, Chief Executive, Down’s Syndrome Association added: “The DSA provides support to people who have Down’s syndrome throughout their lives, from birth and into old age. Work is such a huge part of a person’s life experience, and it’s vital that anyone who has Down’s syndrome that wants to work should be supported to do so. Thanks to Hilton’s amazing generosity, and the genuine commitment of the organisation to inclusion, we will be able to give even more people who have Down’s syndrome the chance to enter the world of work.”

The Hilton Global Foundation was founded in 2019 on the belief that it can create a better world to travel by partnering with people and organisations that foster positive change. Grant funding provided by the Hilton Global Foundation will support various organisations that positively impact the environmental sustainability of travel destinations, support the hospitality career development of youth and other underrepresented groups and fund projects that support the resilience of vulnerable communities around the world. 

In addition to the annual grants distributed by the Hilton Global Foundation, additional microgrants are being distributed to local organisations nominated by Hilton team members from Hilton’s nearly 7,300 properties. This funding will go towards organising volunteer efforts in communities where Hilton operates.  

To learn more about the Hilton Global Foundation and this year’s grantees, please visit hiltonglobalfoundation.hilton.com.  

About Hilton  

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 22 world-class brands comprising nearly 7,300 properties and more than 1.1 million rooms, in 123 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, earned a top spot on Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For list and been recognised as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for six consecutive years. Hilton has introduced several industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 165 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can't buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit stories.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.  

 

About Hilton Global Foundation  

The Hilton Global Foundation is Hilton’s primary philanthropic arm. The Foundation is a nonprofit established in the U.S. and is a registered 501(c)3 charitable organisation. The Foundation awards grants, in alignment with Hilton’s Travel with Purpose 2030 Goals, that have a positive impact on travel destinations around the world. Foundation grants are awarded throughout the year in accordance with tax and legal requirements. Learn more about the Hilton Global Foundation at HiltonGlobalFoundation.hilton.com.