In celebration of HOK’s 70th anniversary, HOK’s global studios each committed to donating a minimum of 70 hours of community service in 2025. The results exceeded expectations.
HOK celebrated its 70th birthday in 2025. In recognition of that milestone, the firm’s corporate social responsibility arm—HOK Impact—challenged each of HOK’s 26* studios at the start of 2025 to donate at least 70 hours of community service. The results are now in from the “26/70 Initiative.”
Our employees far surpassed the original goal. In 2025, HOK staff collectively donated 5,692 hours of time, more than three times the original target. In addition to volunteering within their communities, employees opened their wallets in 2025, donating more than $125,000 to local initiatives and nonprofits.
“HOK has a long and proud history of shaping communities through thoughtful design and meaningful service,” said Jacqui Payne, co-chair of HOK Impact and a senior medical planner in HOK’s London studio. “Last year those traditions came together in a powerful way, inspiring a giving campaign that surpassed expectations.”
“HOK Impact reflects a core mission of HOK—to improve people’s lives through design and collaboration,” said HOK Co-CEO Susan Klumpp Williams. “Last year’s 26/70 Initiative far surpassed our original goals. We are proud to say that surpassing our goals is not unusual. Each year, hundreds of HOK people contribute their time, talent and resources in ways that positively impact their communities and reflect the culture of who we are.”
HOK Impact initiatives that stood out last year included:
Building community: HOK’s London studio helped to restore the Pearson Street Adventure Playground, a cherished community gathering spot in East London. The work included creating a new wooden canopy structure, custom-built trellis and infrastructure for a new water collection feature.
ACE Mentorship: HOK’s New York studio continued its longstanding partnership with the ACE Mentor Program that introduces high school students to careers in architecture, construction and engineering. Students visited the studio for workshops, activities like building graham-cracker buildings (above) and to work on a semester-long project that had students design a library and community center for Hunter’s Point, Queens.
Helping fire victims: HOK’s Los Angeles studio responded to natural disaster in their community by collecting food and household goods for those displaced by wildfires.
Global aid support: HOK’s Hong Kong studio partnered with the Crossroads Foundation, a humanitarian aid organization, to pack and move donated goods for global distribution.
Pro-bono design: HOK’s Philadelphia and St. Louis studios provided pro-bono design services for local organizations. The Philadelphia team helped the Attic Youth Center design a safe place for LGBTQ teens. St. Louis assisted the Locust Business District in developing ideas to reinvigorate the neighborhood and better connect it with downtown.
MLK Day of Service: HOK’s Atlanta studio carried on a tradition of honoring Rev. Martin Luther King’s legacy through a day of service. Staff spent MLK Day repairing homes for people in need.
These are but a sampling of the ways HOK gave back in 2025. To learn more about our corporate giving, check out the 2025 ESG report: Making a Difference by Design.
*HOK opened a new office in Salt Lake City in May of 2025, bringing the firm’s current number of worldwide studios to 27.