Responsible Investing & Philanthropy

We are a values-driven investment firm, always looking for opportunities to help shape the future of businesses and make a positive impact on the communities in which we serve.

Our Investing Philosophy

At Gridiron, we understand the value of corporate responsibility and have incorporated a Responsible Investment Policy into our investment process. As stewards of capital, we build long-term relationships through trust and respect. We view sustainability and governance initiatives as ways to create value across the portfolio by improving products and services to better suit customer needs, building brand value, recruiting and engaging a high-quality workforce, reducing costs, mitigating risks, and improving efficiency.

Our Initiatives and Resources

Gridiron Women’s Initiative

In the spirit of Winning Together, the Gridiron Women’s Initiative serves as a forum for women at all levels, encouraging an environment of trust and camaraderie through networking, learning, and development, while creating opportunities for professional and personal growth. This group hosts quarterly events and offers opportunities to collaborate and learn from women through guest speakers, roundtable discussions, and networking events.

Gridiron Military Advisory Group (GMAG)

The Gridiron Military Advisory Group (GMAG) promotes leadership development, strengthens veteran hiring initiatives, and creates value across our portfolio companies. Members of the GMAG have unique perspectives from their military careers that our management teams find invaluable.

Partnering with Portfolio Companies

While each portfolio company is different and has specifically tailored industry and company initiatives, we seek to share best practices across our entire portfolio. Working in coordination with portfolio company leadership and boards, our investment team directs and supports ESG strategy execution by tracking key metrics and maintaining accountability to defined objectives. Our intent is to strengthen ESG awareness, processes, and standards at our portfolio companies, while ensuring their initiatives align with Gridiron’s fiduciary responsibilities.

How We Help Drive Success

Tracking diversity
Measuring scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions
Establishing ESG Committees on Boards

Our Work Speaks for Itself

As part of our work together with Leaf Home, the team has focused on promoting sustainable operational processes and utilizing natural resources. Leveraging our ESG resources and support, Leaf Home has launched several initiatives in 2024, including:

Education, recycling, and reuse initiatives aimed at reducing the generation of solid waste and offering material alternatives.
Redesigning their network to optimize distribution and reduce freight emissions, achieving a 20% reduction in freight miles traveled.
Engaging with a greenhouse gas accounting specialist to begin more detailed Scope 1 and Scope 2 inventory calculations.

View Our Partnership

Optimized distribution and reduced freight emissions by 20%

Learn More About Leaf Home

How We Give Back

We are committed to having a positive impact on our companies and the communities in which we serve. Giving back – not just in dollars, but in our time and active participation – is an important part of our culture. Specifically, we seek opportunities to support and empower women, children, and Veterans through our philanthropic initiatives.

Winning and Caring Together

We build and foster a culture of Winning Together by giving back. Here are some of the charities we support.

Winning Together

Bob Woodruff Foundation

In partnership with the Bob Woodruff Foundation, we have established a program with JobPaths to improve Veteran hiring efforts across our portfolio. The JobPaths platform combines career development support for Veterans with direct access to military-friendly employers, creating efficient pathways for Veterans to transition into civilian careers. In partnership with JobPaths, 101 Veterans were hired across the Gridiron portfolio.

No Child Hungry

We are privileged to have partnered annually with No Child Hungry since 2020. A standout feature of Gridiron’s Annual Meeting in recent years has been the Giveback event, which brings together our investors, management teams, and the Gridiron team to pack meals in support of No Child Hungry. Each year, we have successfully packed over 30,000 meals, surpassing our goals. These meals are subsequently distributed to children in need in Belle Glade, Florida, and the Marsh Harbor community in the Bahamas. Our relationships outlive our investments – often by decades. To us, that’s a sign that we’re doing things the right way: forging relationships and developing strategies that last.