When Hurricane Helene struck Western North Carolina in 2024, Barings and its employees quickly mobilized.

Together they contributed more than $150,000 to relief efforts. The firm also helped convene companies, nonprofits and government agencies, and co-led a large-scale volunteer event at Bank of America Stadium to ensure supplies reached those most in need.

Their Hurricane Helene response was just one of the reasons that Barings – a global investment management firm with U.S. headquarters in Charlotte – was honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals as the 2025 Outstanding Philanthropic Organization.

The award celebrates Barings’ transformational approach to giving — one that combines financial investment, community partnerships and robust employee engagement to create lasting change.

Investing in Affordable Housing and Families

Barings has become a leading corporate voice in tackling Charlotte’s affordable housing crisis. The firm’s investments in the Housing Impact Fund and FFTC’s Charlotte Housing Opportunity Impact Fund have helped preserve and create nearly 1,900 affordable housing units, 94% of which are affordable at or below 80% of area median income.

Beyond housing, Barings has layered in wraparound support for families. Working with partners like E2D, the Center for Digital Equity and Promising Pages, the firm has distributed more than 1,600 laptops, 647 backpacks, 7,800 books and thousands of school supplies to children across 12 housing communities.

“Barings goes beyond financial contributions to become a true community catalyst,” shared Adelaide Martin, VP of Impact with Ascent Housing.

Barings’ flagship See the Possibilities program provides high school and university students with a firsthand look at careers in investment management. In 2024, the program reached 130 students from 41 schools in Charlotte and London. In 2025, it will expand to Hong Kong and Sydney, offering global exposure and mentoring.

Closer to home, Barings has invested deeply in Walter G. Byers K-8 School, funding STEAM programming through Digi-Bridge, supporting teacher retention and engaging employees as hands-on volunteers.

“Their work has improved teacher morale, strengthened family engagement and increased student achievement,” said Alyssa Sharpe, CEO of Digi-Bridge.

A Culture of Giving

Philanthropy at Barings is woven into its culture. Employees are encouraged to apply for microgrants, take advantage of paid volunteer time and participate in a global month of service each year. Beginning this year, Barings’ employee resource groups are also directing $20,000 each to nonprofits of their choice.

“Barings demonstrates that philanthropy is not just about dollars donated, but about creating real and meaningful community impact,” said Karen Calder, executive director of Classroom Central.

From affordable housing to hurricane relief to educational equity, Barings is proving what’s possible when a company embraces philanthropy not as a transaction but as a partnership — and the Charlotte community is stronger for it.

Learn more about Barings’ Corporate Citizenship work by visiting barings.com/en-us/guest/sustainability/corporate-citizenship.