Eaton Corporation has a long tradition of public service and commitment to the communities where we operate. Joseph O. Eaton, our company's founder, together with other community leaders in Cleveland, established a volunteer-driven system to study human care needs, provide a mechanism for financially supporting the social service agencies and to oversee allocations - what is now known as United Way. Eaton and its leadership continue to place a high value on community involvement and service.

Around the globe, we improve the communities in which we live and work through contributions to education, the arts, museums, social service organizations and hands-on employee volunteerism. By setting high standards of involvement and leadership, each chairman has left an indelible imprint on the company's record of social and civic involvement.

Alexander M. Cutler (2000 - present)
Cutler is a board member of KeyCorp, the Greater Cleveland Partnership, the Electrical Manufacturers Club and the Musical Arts Association.

He is also a member of the Yale University Development Board and the Yale Alumni Association of Cleveland.

Previously, he served as chairman of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, chairman of United Way of Greater Cleveland, chairman of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association and president of the Yale Alumni Association of Cleveland. He is a past member of the board of the Yale University Alumni Fund, the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College, the Loomis Chaffee School and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. Cutler also served on the executive committees of the Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education (formerly the Cleveland Commission on Higher Education), the Visiting Committee of the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, the Cleveland Play House, the Greater Cleveland Growth Association and the Museum of Natural History. He is a past co-chairman of the Cleveland Commission on Economic Partnerships and Inclusion.

Stephen R. Hardis (1996 - 2000)
Demonstrated a keen social conscience by extending corporate giving beyond the U.S. mainland and championing the reinvigoration of the Cleveland Public Schools.

William E. Butler (1991 - 1995)
Established the Employee Awards Program for Community Service to honor James R. Stover for his dedication to community service. The award recognizes individual employees for outstanding records of accomplishment as volunteers. Mr. Butler was also known as a community leader championing youth programs by organizations such as the Boy Scouts and the YMCA and leading the Cleveland-area United Way campaign.

James R. Stover (1986 – 1991)
Participated energetically in numerous community and civic organizations. He also served as United Way campaign chairman and was an active board member for several health and human services organizations.

E.M. de Windt (1969 - 1986)
A visionary leader instrumental in the founding of several Cleveland civic and community organizations, which continue to be a vital part of the city's landscape.

Organizations that meet Eaton's charitable giving guidelines and priorities are welcome to submit a proposal for consideration by our Corporate Contributions Committee. For program criteria and contact information, download a copy of our Contributions Program Guidelines brochure.