UNCF and ACIPCO: In It Together for the Long Haul

The list of departments at longtime UNCF partner American Cast Iron Pipe Company (ACIPCO)—engineering, finance, human resources, manufacturing, supply chain management, technical and sales—says it all. Even at a leading manufacturer like ACIPCO, which makes pipe, fire hydrants and valves, many of today’s jobs and careers require a college degree or other post-secondary degree or certificate. Helping the next generation of workers earn those credentials is UNCF’s mission.

And for 42 years, ACIPCO has worked with UNCF to make it happen. As a manufacturer of pipelines, ACIPCO has invested in the high-school-to-college-to-employment pipeline that UNCF is committed to building. Ever since 1976, when the UNCF-ACIPCO partnership was launched with a $40,000 contribution (the equivalent of more than $180,00 today), hardly a year has passed without ACIPCO’s employees investing in UNCF’s work, and in better futures for UNCF students and, through their success, for all of us.

ACIPCO’s commitment to UNCF is just part of its commitment to diversity. ACIPCO “is a diverse company,” they tell visitors to their site: our workforce, the career opportunities we provide, the global markets we serve…[ACIPCO] values the diversity of its people.”

“We’ll be there for you,” says the ACIPCO web site, “no matter what.” And for 42 years, even when many companies had budget cuts or changed funding priorities, ACIPCO has been true to their words.