AEO Foundation

At AEO, we believe we have a responsibility to do better, to be better, to build a better world.

We are committed to showing the world that there’s real power in the optimism of youth by supporting causes that matter to all of us and the world. We roll up our sleeves to make a difference in our communities and promote an inclusive workplace where everyone is encouraged to be their REAL selves. In 2022, the AEO Foundation issued nearly $1.3 MILLION in grants to 178 community based organizations working to educate and empower teens and young adults.

Count Me In!

In addition to volunteering their time, AEO Associates can give back to their communities through Count Me In! – a charitable payroll deduction program. Since 2015 , AEO associates have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to provide grants to non-profit organizations which are empowering youth in our local communities. One hundred percent of every dollar donated by AEO Associates supports charities in the regions where they live, work and play.


Below are highlights of a few organizations supported by the AEO Foundation:

LRJ Foundation

The Lou Ruspi Jr. Foundation (LRJ) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve mental health, emotional wellness, and suicide prevention through interactive education and support to school districts and the community. The organization was established in 2012 by twin sisters Teressa and Karla Ruspi, after the loss of their 26-year-old brother, Louie, to suicide. The LRJ Foundation’s team of professional counselors work to develop and deliver engaging and compelling awareness and education to teens and youth on mental health topics. The AEO Foundation grant will support mental health programming for teens throughout the Hazleton, PA area.

Green Guerillas

Green Guerillas uses a mix of education, organizing, and advocacy to help more than 200 community garden groups steward vibrant green spaces and connect people to the earth. The AEO Foundation supports Green Guerilla’s Youth Empowerment Pipeline (YEP), equipping a new generation of justice-focused, earth-conscious leaders with the skills to make an impact far into the future. The program includes hands-on-experiences, critical resources, mentorship, and paid internship programs for high school-aged youth and young adults, leading to increased knowledge and understanding of socially just food systems and root causes of inequities. Through this program, Green Guerillas seeks to create social permanency for food justice, community gardening, and urban farming in NYC.

The Education Partnership

The AEO Foundation is a proud supporter of the The Education Partnership (TEP), which partners with public, private and charter schools to provide school supplies to economically disadvantaged students and teachers in under-resourced schools in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Since its founding, the organization has grown to impact over 63,000 students, 9,300 teachers, and 171 schools in the greater Pittsburgh Region. In 2022, TEP distributed more than $6 million dollars worth of supplies, free-of-charge, to students and teachers in need. 

Community Grant Program

The American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) Foundation is committed to building a better world and showing the world that there’s REAL power in the optimism of youth by supporting causes that educate and empower teens and young adults.   

We strive to create positive change by awarding grants to non-profit organizations at a grassroots level in the communities of Pittsburgh, New York City, San Francisco, Hazleton, Ottawa, and Mississauga (Ontario area). Local 501(c)3 organizations are invited to apply to support programming for teens and young adults in the locations mentioned above. 

2023 Community Grant Program deadlines:

  • Fall: September 1, 2023
  • Winter: January 5, 2024

For complete information on our Community Grant Program, please read our guidelines.

To apply for grant funding, please use our Grant Application Portal here.