On July 4, 1855, Crane’s founder R.T. Crane, who was in his early 20s at the time, wrote a resolution that has been the foundation of the company’s culture for more than 165 years committing to conducting business in the strictest honesty and fairness.

R.T. Crane emphasized and focused on the importance of corporate citizenship and giving in support of local communities where the company did business. He strongly believed that “the possession of great wealth brought with it a great obligation,” and that organizations should focus on improving the lives of others while also making a positive impact on the world.

At no time in Crane’s life was this his belief in corporate responsibility more apparent than during the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Tragically, the fire took a devastating toll on the city that R.T. Crane and the company called home. Though Crane’s facilities were spared given their location on the west side of the Chicago River, the fire was ultimately responsible for taking 300 lives, destroying nearly 18,000 buildings and leaving approximately 100,000 homeless. It also completely destroyed the city’s water works, leaving Chicago and its inhabitants without a water source. Driven by his keen social conscience and sense of civic duty, Crane decided it was time to begin repaying a debt to the city that gave him an extraordinary opportunity when he was penniless and young. To that end, Crane utilized a number of his large steam pumps, which he placed at the foot of Madison Avenue on the Chicago River. Relying on steam produced from a locomotive, Crane continuously ran the steam pumps day and night until the city’s water works were back up and running again. While our efforts today are not supporting full cities, the company continues with these values in mind.

Philanthropy is woven into Crane’s legacy, with over 80 years of giving back to the communities where our associates live and work.  Founder, R.T. Crane, emphasized and focused on the importance of corporate citizenship and giving, a philosophy current senior leadership embraces, ensuring that improving the lives of others is a top priority

 The Crane Charitable Funds touch the lives of many through its efforts to support issues around food insecurity, national and international disaster relief, affordable housing, education, health, environmental protection, animal welfare, and many other worthy causes.