$500,000 Gift to Fund Muhammad Ali center Education Programs to Foster New Generation of Leaders to Carry on Muhammad’s Legacy

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (June 20, 2016) — The Muhammad Ali Center today announced it has received a $500,000 grant from The UPS Foundation to honor the legacy of the late humanitarian, cultural icon, and Heavyweight Champion boxer, Muhammad Ali.  The gift will fund the Ali Center’s education initiatives, including UCrew, Generation Ali, its Character Education Program “Creating Our Future,” and the Muhammad Ali Center Council of Students (MACCS).

UCrew instills in students the tools necessary to conceptualize and launch a small social enterprise; produce and market a product or service; and generate profits that are used to combat social issues such as poverty and hunger. The Generation Ali initiative draws its inspiration from Muhammad Ali’s six guiding principles (Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Giving, Respect, and Spirituality) and fosters a new generation of leaders to find a cause worth fighting for to transform the world in positive and compassionate ways. The “Creating Our Future” program, designed for middle and high school age youth, guides students to explore Ali’s principles and utilize them in a life plan in preparation for their futures.  The Muhammad Ali Center Council of Students is a youth-led program consisting of a diverse group of dynamic students who participate in service work, learning projects, and leadership development.

“Over the past week, the Muhammad Ali Center has been overwhelmed by immense love and generosity from all over the world,” said Donald Lassere, President and CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center.  “This outpouring of reverence is certainly a testament to Muhammad Ali’s place in history and his message of peace and transformation. As the proud stewards of Muhammad Ali’s legacy, we are wholeheartedly grateful for the gifts we have received. Having  UPS—a global company located in our own community of Louisville—donate this generous gift to the Ali Center speaks volumes, not just for helping to preserve Muhammad Ali’s legacy through education, but also for UPS’s commitment to building strong and resilient communities around the world.”

“Our people really wanted to honor The Greatest,” said Brendan Canavan, president of the Louisville-based UPS Airlines. “There are so many parallels between Ali and UPS: connecting global communities, a passion for humanitarian aid, and roots in Louisville. This gift was just the right thing to do.”

About The UPS Foundation

UPS (NYSE: UPS) is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including the transportation of packages and freight; the facilitation of international trade, and the deployment of advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. Since its founding in 1907, UPS has built a legacy as a caring and responsible corporate citizen, supporting programs that provide long-term solutions to community needs. Founded in 1951, The UPS Foundation leads its global citizenship programs and is responsible for facilitating community involvement to local, national, and global communities. In 2015, UPS and its employees, active and retired, invested more than $110 million in charitable giving around the world. The UPS Foundation can be found on the web at UPS.com/Foundation. To get UPS news direct, visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS.

UPS Media Contact

Mike Mangeot
(502) 442-9572
mmangeot@ups.com