AFL Celebrates 40 Years with Formation of Philanthropic Foundation

AFL, a provider of fiber equipment for telecom service providers, announced the formation of a charitable partnership with the Spartanburg County Foundation, a philanthropic organization in South Carolina, where AFL is headquartered.

Announced as the company celebrates its 40th anniversary, the new venture, The AFL Foundation, will begin with an initial investment of $10,000,000 from AFL. The company says it will “leverage the Spartanburg County Foundation's 75+ years of proven expertise in charitable administration to maximize its global philanthropic impact,” and “create sustainable and positive change to improve quality of life in the communities where associates live and work.”

Aligning philanthropic goals

The Spartanburg County Foundation, founded in 1943, states their aim to help residents “achieve their human potential through continuous improvement in quality of life, educational achievement, and economic mobility,” and promotes “philanthropy, encouraging community engagement, and responding to community needs.”

AFL points to their own commitment to philanthropic endeavors, such as volunteer projects, scholarships, and disaster recovery.

“Establishing The AFL Foundation honors our four decades of significant community focus and will ensure our continued civic engagement for the next 40 years and beyond,” said Jaxon Lang, AFL President and CEO. “We are not just celebrating our past; we are committing to our future.”

Troy M. Hanna, President and CEO of the Spartanburg County Foundation, added his thoughts about the collaboration, saying it “reflects AFL's dedication to a culture of giving and making a positive difference in the lives of others,” and hopes to see the new foundation “direct resources where they can have the greatest impact.”