Spirit Donates Airline Travel to Social Justice and Civil Rights Organizations

Ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines is pledging to support nine social justice and civil rights organizations across the United States, in cities where they operate. With the donation, leaders for the airline say they are working to promote “diversity, equity, and inclusion” across the country.

Nine organizations focused on social justice and civil rights will have access to additional resources thanks to Spirit Airlines. In a press release, the carrier announced a pledge of $250,000 of airline travel to the group of organizations in cities where they operate.

Urban League, NAACP and National Black Chamber of Commerce Recipients

The nine organizations were selected for the work they do in their communities to promote diversity and improving economic conditions for people of color. The nine organizations receiving grants are:

• The Urban League of Broward County – Fort Lauderdale, FL
• The Urban League of Detroit & Southeastern Michigan – Detroit, MI
• The Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce – Dallas, TX
• The NAACP – Las Vegas, NV
• The Thurgood Marshall College Fund – New York, NY
• The Common Ground Foundation – Chicago, IL
• The African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida – Orlando, FL
• The National Council of Negro Women – Washington, DC
• The National Black Chamber of Commerce – Washington, DC

“At Spirit, we promote diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and strongly support the Black community, because Black lives matter,” Laurie Villa, senior vice president and chief human resources officer at Spirit, and president of The Spirit Airlines Charitable Foundation, said in a press release. “We are proud to partner with these great organizations and admire how tirelessly they work to advocate for social justice and civil rights.”

The airfare donations are part of the airline’s commitment to provide support in the communities where they serve. The Florida-based airline has also donated to charities including the YMCA of South Florida, No Kid Hungry and Feeding South Florida.

Donations Come as Spirit Looks Towards Profitability

The donations come as executives at Spirit say they will be the first airline to be profitable once the COVID-19 pandemic winds down. Despite a $364 million loss in the second quarter of 2020, the airline says their low-cost structure and early increase in passenger loads suggests they will be come profitable faster than their competition.