Leveraging expertise, resources, and products to build resilient communities

We believe that resilience is the foundation on which we will build thriving, sustainable communities of the future. GAF leverages our expertise, resources, and products in support of the fundamental needs of resilient communities: Shelter, Families, and Workforces.

Building Resilience in New Orleans with Anthony Mackie

Here’s how we partner with our communities to bring Community Matters to life

Building strong homes and gathering places

GAF helps provide grants, in-kind donations, and hands-on support to address the unique needs of each community. Through the GAF Community Contractor Program, for example, more than 500 certified contractors have helped to install roofs for thousands of families in need of decent affordable housing.

GAF Tuscaloosa Blitz Build

There’s an old saying that it takes a village to support a family. In late October, it took 75 volunteers—including many GAF employees—working together with Habitat for Humanity of Tuscaloosa, Alabama to meet one goal: making a family’s dream of homeownership come true. The best part? It took just five days.

Contractors Coming Together for Their Communities

Building community and giving back is the goal with businesses that have participated in GAF’s Habitat for Humanity Contractor program. Roofing contractors volunteer their time, labor, and expertise to a Habitat for Humanity project and GAF donates all of the GAF roofing materials used on the project.

Building infrastructure and disaster preparedness

Nonprofit partners such as Team Rubicon and Good360 help us provide critical resources and tools for our communities so they are ready to respond when disasters strike.

USCCF Recognizes GAF for Community efforts

We’re honored to be recognized by The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) in their 21st annual Citizens Awards for Best Community Resilience and Disaster Response Program.

Becoming a Team Rubicon Greyshirt

Serving communities by mobilizing veterans, leveraging their skills to help people prepare, and recover from disasters and humanitarian crises.

Building bright futures by equipping the next generation for success

GAF is leading initiatives designed to bring people together in shared spaces, to help enhance economic and social health in the places where we live and work.

GAF Transforms HQ into Free Farmers Market

Hundreds of Morris County, NJ residents regained access to fresh produce last year, thanks to a new partnership with GAF and the Interfaith Food Pantry (IFP). Over 50 GAF volunteers and the team at IFP helped transform GAF’s HQ into an assembly line where volunteers placed fresh produce directly into the trunks of IFP clients’ vehicles.

Forging New Dreams for the Future

The Shafter Learning Center is a place where kids can find unique educational opportunities that help them aspire to greater heights and achieve bigger dreams. Located in Shafter, CA, the center’s offerings range from courses in science, history, and literature to classes that let students learn to build a rocket or study the science of food.

Supporting the workforces of today and tomorrow

Building careers in manufacturing and roofing through education and training, and providing support and resources for those who protect our communities.

GAF Roofing Academy

Through a tuition-free, hands-on training program, GAF provides students with the skills needed to enter the roofing trade and assists in placing them in well-paying jobs upon graduation.

STEM Education

Through our partnership with Discovery Education, GAF is committed to helping bridge the skills gap and better prepare students for STEM opportunities in our communities and across the U.S.

Protecting Our Protectors

First responders go above and beyond to protect others. GAF provides support and peace of mind so these heroes can focus on the important work of keeping our communities safe.

Establishing partnerships with a focus on resilience

Through a network of national and local partnerships, GAF is able to address the specific, yet varied, needs of the communities we support. Working with these organizations is a powerful asset in building resilient communities.

Protecting our people, communities, and planet

Building resilient communities while combating urban heat

GAF and StreetBond pavement coatings have partnered together in a first-of-its-kind initiative launched in the Pacoima neighborhood of Los Angeles, to develop insights on urban heat effects by assessing cooling strategies.

VISIT THE ROOF VIEWS BLOG TO SEE GAF COMMUNITY MATTERS IN ACTION:
In 2022, GAF launched a first-of-its-kind initiative in Pacoima, one of the hottest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, to explore community-wide solutions to combat urban heat. The GAF Cool Community Project is addressing the complex issue of extreme heat through a research-driven approach: Take a hot, sun-exposed community with an abundance of heat-retaining surfaces. Then, apply solar-reflective coatings to its streets and public hardscapes. With resources and support from GAF and non-profit partners, more than 700,000 square feet worth of streets, parking lots, and other hardscapes were coated with StreetBond DuraShield with Invisible ShadeTM technology over a contiguous 10-block area. The formerly dark streets were transformed to a cool gray-blue, and colorful coatings brighten the basketball courts and other public gathering spaces.
Longtime fixtures of playgrounds and recreational areas, sports courts have a lot to offer. In addition to providing opportunities for children and adults to participate in physical activities, they can strengthen communities. There are also other benefits when courts are designed to reduce surface temperatures and protect substrate materials.
GAF is committed to building more resilient communities in the areas where we live and work. Working with our network of manufacturing communities, we can leverage our expertise, resources, and products to help protect the places we call home. Our local teams lend their time and talents to address the unique needs of each community, as we help support the fundamental needs of shelter, families and workforces.
On September 30, 2023, the GAF manufacturing plant in Mt. Vernon, Indiana celebrated its 50th year in operation. The occasion brought together current and retired Mt. Vernon team members, their families, and community members to commemorate all that the plant has accomplished over the last five decades.