Ace Foundation

At Ace, we believe in giving back to the communities in which we serve. And, what better way than to help those in need. The Ace Foundation has raised over $50 million since 1991 to help sick and injured kids through our partnership with Children's Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals. Our support of the American Red Cross’ Natural Disaster Relief goes beyond dollars with donations of work gloves, shovels, mops, bottled water and more.

2011 was a special year for the Ace Hardware Foundation as we celebrated our 20th anniversary of supporting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The Ace Foundation thanks everyone who contributed to a fantastic fundraising year — consumers, retail locations, vendors and corporate team members. With everyone’s help, the Foundation donated more than $3.9 million — an increase of more than $1 million from 2010 — to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

A highlight of 2011 was our sponsorship of CMN Hospitals' Champions program. One child/patient was selected to represent each of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. These kids, known as Champions, were the faces of the charity throughout the year. The culmination of the program happened in October when the Champions traveled to Walt Disney World and Washington D.C. Accompanied by some members of the Ace family, including President and CEO Ray Griffith, Board Member Gina Schaefer and Ace Foundation President Jimmy Alexander, the kids had an extraordinary time and truly inspired everyone around them.

During the October timeframe, Ace retail locations were encouraged to raise funds at point of sale and, many did. In fact, over 650 Ace stores from across the country participated by selling Champion icons and raising $420,000 from this initiative alone. When combined, those individual dollar donations will help make miracles for kids in need of the first-class medical care that CMN hospitals provide.

The Ace Foundation and our retail partners organize a myriad of fundraising initiatives, some of which our generous customers are welcome to get involved in. These fun and unique experiences raise much needed funds that ultimately have the power to change lives and help sick kids being treated at Children's Miracle Network hospitals throughout the U.S.

TeamACE: National Charity Bike Team

Racing for a Miracle, Sonoma, CA, June 24, 2012

Motorcycle Miracle Mission
Chicago, IL to Louisville, KY July 20 – 22, 2012

Ace Paint Century, Matteson, IL
July 29, 2012

Champions Icon Campaign, Participating Ace Stores
October 2012

To learn more about these programs, email cmnace@acehardware.com.

At the Ace Hardware Corporation/Ace Foundation office located in Oak Brook, IL, team members get involved with Foundation activities in a variety of ways.

Fleece Blanket Club
For the past three years, nearly 50 employees gather in groups or work individually making "no sew" fleece blankets for the patients at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago—the CMN hospital closest to the corporate office. To date, over 400 blankets have been delivered to bring a sense of caring and warmth to kids enduring hospital stays.

Miracle Jeans Weeks
When business casual is the everyday attire, Ace team members get excited to wear jeans for an entire week during the company’s five designated Miracle Jeans Weeks each year. With a cost of $1 per day and nearly 900 people on campus, it’s no doubt that thousands are raised annually from this one initiative.

Children’s Memorial Hospital Radiothon
Each September, The MIX radio DJs, Eric and Kathy, spend 36 hours in the lobby of Children’s Memorial Hospital sharing stories about patients as well as the good work of the hospital and their dedicated staff. Ace team members are always eager to volunteer at the event by answering phones and taking pledges from callers who are listening in.

Natural Disaster Relief Fund

The purpose of the American Red Cross Natural Disaster Relief Fund is to provide relief to victims of natural disasters. Each year, thousands of people around the country are affected by powerful disruptive disasters such as tornadoes, floods, fires, hurricanes and earthquakes. The Red Cross is synonymous with lending a much–needed helping hand in these difficult situations.

As a national company with members in more than 4,200 domestic locations, it’s no surprise that members of our own Ace family have experienced the often–devastating effects of a natural disaster. The Ace Hardware Foundation is proud to partner with the American Red Cross to support our neighbors in times of need.

Ready When the Time Comes
Currently, there are 25 Oak Brook, IL – based Ace team members trained by the Red Cross to handle shelter work in the event of disaster. Their responsibilities range from setting up cots and registering people to mass feeding and perhaps, just lending an ear to those who need comfort. Certain disasters can happen locally such as fires, floods and blizzards or take place far away like the earthquake in Haiti. In any of the cases, American Red Cross shelters provide housing and food for thousands of people annually.