UPS Foundation Ends Support for Boy Scouts Over Gay Ban

The charitable arm of UPS is pulling support for the boy Scouts of America, saying it will no longer contribute to organizations that discriminate against gays, the Associated Press reports. The UPS Foundation, which gave $85,000 to the Scouts last year, made the shift Thursday after receiving an online petition with more than 80,000 signatures protesting the grants.

The shipping giant is the second major corporation recently to cut off the Scouts over the group’s ban on membership for gays and lesbians, following computer-chip maker Intel. UPS spokeswoman Kristen Petrella said groups applying for foundation funding will now have to adhere to the company’s policy against discrimination on the basis of race, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.

Boy Scouts public-relations director Deron Smith said corporate contributions “go directly to serving young people in local councils and this [UPS] decision will negatively impact youth.”