Our 2020 Impact
If 2020 proved anything, it’s that the harder things are, the more important it is to show up for one another. Check out some of the ways you helped AE make a difference in 2020.
Supporting Mental Health
We all can help prevent suicide, whether it’s checking in with your friends or reaching out to a professional if you need to talk. To do our part, we partnered with Crisis Text Line multiple times in 2020 – to commemorate World Mental Health Day in October, we launched Mental Health Awareness tees on AE.com with 100% of sales benefiting Crisis Text Line, and for Mental Health Awareness Month in May, we raised $262,198 through customer donations and face mask sales. These donations help provide access to free, confidential support for people in distress. Reminder: you can text EAGLE to 74174 for free 24/7 access to a live, trained Crisis Counselor.
Getting Out the Vote
Thanks to your support, HeadCount more than doubled its voter registrations during this election cycle by registering more than 432,000 Americans to vote. You amazed us and stepped up in a huge way by raising $442,431 through t-shirt sales and checkout contributions – helping is make the largest corporate contribution in HeadCount’s history! If democracy is in your hands, our future’s looking bright.
Ending Hunger
One in nine people struggle with hunger in the U.S. To help fight hunger this holiday season, we partnered with Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, and thanks to YOU, we’ve donated more than 13 MILLION MEALS since November.
COVID-19 Relief
In a year like no other, AE and the AEO Foundation provided more than $1 million for pandemic relief, including 1 million face masks for first responders and health care providers; a $106,041 donation to America’s Food Fund made possible through the AE Come Together Concert Series, #AExMEProm, #AerieREAL Positivity Campaign, and customer contributions at checkout; plus 2,200 AE and Aerie gift cards to boost morale of medical personnel, and tons of donated merch, including more than 1 million undies donated overseas.
Promoting Racial Justice
AE, Aerie, and the AEO Foundation pledged $500,000 in support to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF), which fights for criminal justice reform, voting rights protections, education equity, economic justice, and an end to systemic bias and racism. This donation will support LDF’s education equity programs and scholarships for exceptional African American students. Plus, we were able to collect an additional $104,534 in donations at checkout thanks to you, and AEO matched associate donations of $16,149 to local and national civil rights organizations.
AEO REAL Change Scholarship for Social Justice
One of the best ways to foster an inclusive culture is to help increase representation of diverse associates. To help inspire systemic change at AEO, we’re making a big commitment to investing our people. In October, we announced the creation a $5 million scholarship program to advance educational opportunities for full and part-time associates who are actively driving anti-racism, equality, and social justice initiatives. Each scholarship will help provide recipients with financial support as well as additional resources, including access to a mentorship program to help guide and assist with career development.
