Hilton Worldwide Awards First Travel with Purpose™ Action Grants

McLean, VA,  September 19, 2013 /3BL Media/ – Hilton Worldwide today announced the recipients of the Travel with Purpose™ Action Grants, which have been awarded to 26 community partners around the world. The Travel with Purpose™ Action Grants are part of a global effort to recognize and encourage the development of local solutions and support organizations in the communities Hilton Worldwide and its portfolio of hotels serve. Hilton Worldwide launched the grant competition this year to award a total of $130,000 to 26 deserving Hilton Worldwide offices and properties and their community partners.

Every office and property within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio had the opportunity to help award a $5,000 grant to a local organization in their community. Grants are being awarded to projects that are aligned with Hilton Worldwide’s four areas of focus:

• Creating Opportunities: includes programs focusing on youth development, career mentoring and workforce development in hospitality training with a focus on disadvantaged populations; promotion of diversity in our workforce, owners, and suppliers;
• Strengthening Communities: includes projects that support sustainable economic growth by increasing opportunities for emerging local businesses to succeed in the global value chain; disaster preparation and resiliency; critical services including housing and hunger/food insecurity; prevention of child trafficking and support services for survivors;
• Celebrating Cultures: includes education programs that foster cultural heritage, preservation and restoration of historic or cultural monuments; projects that bridge diverse cultures and foster inclusiveness and diplomacy; support for local sourcing and goods;
• Living Sustainability: includes projects that assist in the protection, conservation and restoration of natural resources and habitats; projects that educate and inform the public about sustainability; support for sustainable sourcing and purchasing.

The winning projects are highly creative and hands-on, leveraging Team Member engagement and reflecting the diverse interests and needs of Hilton Worldwide’s operating communities. These programs help improve the economic conditions of small farmers sourcing to Hilton Worldwide hotels, support services for child trafficking survivors, provide hands-on sustainability education and create mentorship opportunities for young people entering the hospitality industry.

“The Travel with Purpose™ Action Grant program is an excellent example of a global initiative making local impact,” said Jennifer Silberman, vice president of corporate responsibility for Hilton Worldwide. “Every day our Team Members deliver hospitality to millions of guests around the world and extend their passion and spirit of service beyond our hotel walls. This program allows them to support the needs of the communities where they live, work and travel by working with local community organizations.” 

The 2013 Travel with Purpose Action Grant Recipients are listed below.

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About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 94 years, Hilton Worldwide has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 4,000 hotels and timeshare properties, with more than 650,000 rooms in 90 countries and territories and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®. Visit www.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide and www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.

About Travel with Purpose™
Travel with Purpose™ is Hilton Worldwide's corporate responsibility commitment to providing shared value to its business and communities in four areas - creating opportunities for individuals to reach their full potential; strengthening communities where Hilton Worldwide operates; celebrating cultures and the power of travel; and living sustainably through the measurement, analysis and improvement of the company's use of natural resources.