Darden teams up with a number of non-profit organizations that have a track record of effectively serving and representing the African American, Asian and Pacific Islander American, Disability, Hispanic, and LGBT communities.
We are proud to work with our Diversity Community Partners to support programs that assist youth to pursue post-secondary education and their career aspirations. In turn, these partnerships help Darden and our restaurants connect with diverse community leaders and guests throughout the country.
These are a few of our national Diversity Community Partners who are doing incredible work in the community.
Darden has enjoyed a partnership with the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) since 2003. We’re proud to support the National Disability Mentoring Day program, which is a large-scale national effort to promote career development for students and job seekers with disabilities through hands-on career exploration, on-site job shadowing, and ongoing mentoring leading to internship and employment opportunities.
Every year, hundreds of Darden restaurant locations throughout the country participate in the Disability Mentoring Day program in their local market. The program is mutually beneficial as it connects our restaurant teams with leaders in their local community, introduces them to the local talent pool for future employees, and reinforces our company’s core values of being of service, diversity, and respect and caring.
Darden has been a supporter of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) since 2007. A grant from the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation in support of the APIASF Scholarship Program allows the organization to provide financial assistance to talented Asian & Pacific Islander Americans (APIAs) of low income families.
In addition, Darden is a sponsor of the APIASF Higher Education Summit Series, which engages educators, students, researchers, government representatives, corporate leaders and community members from across the country, to discuss the national college completion agenda and its impact on the APIA community.
Darden has been a partner of the Hispanic College Fund (HCF) since 2009. A grant from the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation provides support for the Hispanic Youth Institute and HCF Scholarship program.
The Hispanic Youth Institute is a year-round program designed to empower high school students to earn a college degree, pursue a professional career and give back to their communities. It launches each summer with a four-day, three-night program that brings Hispanic high school students to a college campus for workshops on accessing and affording college. Throughout the ensuing school year, staff and volunteers of the HCF help students build on the information learned during the summer through a series of college and career workshops. The Hispanic Youth Institute connects low-income Hispanic high school students with peers with an interest in attending college, and introduces them to local Hispanic professionals and community leaders.
The HCF Scholarship program helps the organization to provide financial assistance to talented and low-income Hispanic students, many of which are the first members of their family to attend a college or university.
Through the establishment of the Darden Restaurants Point Scholarship program, the Point Foundation is able to provide financial assistance to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students of merit. In addition, to the financial assistance, Point Scholars receive leadership training, one-on-one mentoring, and meet with LGBT professionals for motivation and friendship.
Darden has a long history of working with the UNCF.
A grant from the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation helps the UNCF, in partnership with College Summit, to provide college matching, financial aid coaching, college application assistance, and scholarship funds to enhance college enrollment rates of low-income high school students. The grant also provides operational support for the three UNCF schools in Florida – Bethune-Cookman University, Edward Waters College, and Florida Memorial.
Darden is also a proud sponsor of the UNCF National Alumni Council and National Pre-Alumni Council Leadership Conference. The four-day conference engages alumni, students, college presidents, and UNCF staff in professional development sessions, leadership workshops, and networking activities.
