Community

The Chevron Richmond Refinery is committed to contributing to the social and economic development of the Richmond community. We believe that providing community support, both through financial assistance and personal involvement, is our responsibility as a good neighbor.

To stay updated on current information on Chevron in Richmond and our involvement in the community, please review Chevron Richmond Today, The Official News Magazine of Chevron Richmond.

Charitable Donations
Each year, the Chevron Richmond Refinery contributes over $1 million to local nonprofit organizations and civic programs. Our focus on funding results-oriented organizations enables the Refinery to have a greater impact in the community and enhances our ability to improve the quality of life for Richmond residents. Our main areas of participation include economic development and job training; youth education, health services, civic and community involvement. Read our Grant Application Guidelines for information on Chevron's corporate policy on sponsorships and donations. For progress updates and reporting, please also see Chevron's Partner Report Form.

In the 2008 Community Benefits Agreement, Chevron and the City of Richmond agreed to form an Advisory Committee, along with two community members, to help direct the spending of $1 million annually.

The mission of the Richmond Community Fund Advisory Committee (RCFAC) is to fund programs and projects that improve the quality of life for Richmond residents and assist community members to achieve a safe and healthy place to raise families.

The RCFAC is soliciting applications from eligible non-profit organizations serving Richmond to help the committee fulfill its mission. Applications and guidelines can be downloaded at: www.ci.richmond.ca.us.

Grant applications will be reviewed on a quarterly basis, every June 1st, September 1st and December 1st. Grantees will be informed within 30 days after the review date. Please email any questions regarding RCFAC funding to: RichmondCE@chevron.com.

Local Support
In 2005, Chevron Richmond Refinery was the premier sponsor for the City of Richmond's Library Project. The grant from Chevron provided funding for the reopening of the Library and enabled the Library to provide full service hours to the Richmond community.

Financial support and equipment to other local nonprofit organizations is provided annually, including the Richmond Police Activities League (PAL) and the Neighborhood House of North Richmond. See our local 2008 charitable contributions.

School and Youth Organization Sponsorships
The Richmond Refinery provides funding, materials and volunteers in support of local programs and activities in the community. We sponsor the City of Richmond's Summer Youth Employment Program, which provides full-time work on community improvement projects. This is our eigth consecutive year of supporting the Visions of Hope program, which matches neighborhood youth with seniors whose homes need painting. This program provides most of these youth with their first work experience and helps foster a strong work ethic.

We are strongly committed to supporting schools and educational opportunities in the Richmond community and work closely with the West Contra Costa School District to fund programs for middle school students. At the high school level, the Refinery donates to the Student Center at Richmond High School, and every year, through our Summer Intern Program, college engineering students are given the opportunity to work in the refinery to gain valuable hands-on experience.

By investing in our community and providing financial support where it is most needed, we have become a valued partner in the effort to revitalize the economic engine of Richmond.

Volunteer Contributions
As corporate citizens, we make more than strictly financial contributions to our community. To the employees at the Chevron Richmond Refinery, giving back to the community is part of the job.

Week of Caring
Week of Caring is a partnership between Chevron and the Volunteer Centers of the Bay Area where volunteers help complete projects at local Bay Area nonprofit agencies.

Through Chevron's People Making a Difference Campaign, employees choose how they want to make a difference: by offering their time, making a pledge, or supporting campaign events. Our employees are making a difference in the community by contributing their services to more than 30 local organizations.

We are active in local schools, from teaching process plant operator courses at local high schools to providing entry-level training to high school seniors and returning students and adults. Our engineers participate in National Engineer's Week by visiting high school science and math classes as part of the annual Discover "E" Program.

Community Relations
We regularly meet with residents, community groups and elected officials. This gives our neighbors an opportunity to ask questions and voice their concerns, whether it's about specific activities at the refinery or larger community issues.