2026 Impact Report
Our Purpose in Action
JE Dunn’s purpose is simple: We exist to enrich lives through inspired people and places. This mission is deeply woven into our culture and day-to-day operations. Together, they shape the way we work and empower our employees to make meaningful differences in their communities. We believe in doing the right thing, and this commitment is visible in everything from our projects to our partnerships.
After 102 years in business, nearly everything about our industry has changed, but one thing has remained constant and has connected employees at JE Dunn: our shared purpose.
Communities are at the heart of everything we do, whether we’re building a new community space, volunteering our time, or nurturing partnerships that strengthen neighborhoods. JE Dunn’s spirit of generosity has defined us for more than 100 years.
The legacy was shaped by the late Bill Dunn Sr., son of founder Ernie Dunn, who spent more than 70 years with the company. He championed one of our most distinctive commitments: investing a percentage of our net income in charitable causes nationwide in the communities where we live, work, and build. His belief was simple and steadfast — people are always more important than money. That philosophy lives on in one of JE Dunn’s guiding principles: serving others.
Our community impact is intentional and relationship-driven. We invest time, talent, and resources in a holistic and intentional way, prioritizing long-term partnerships over one-time efforts. Our people actively strengthen their communities through volunteerism, board service, mentorship, and nonprofit partnerships.
Through this annual initiative, JE Dunn will intentionally donate 1.5M + to a cause area chosen by employees, all in addition to our existing annual giving. JE Dunn employees chose “access to safe and supportive spaces for kids in need” as the focus for the 2025 Cornerstone Campaign.
Guided by employee input, the 2026 Cornerstone Campaign will focus on “healthcare & mental health access for veterans.”
At JE Dunn, people always come first. Our leadership decisions, business strategy, and vision begin with the question: What’s best for our employees, clients, and partners?
These principles are more than values; they are commitments. They connect our employees to one another and to our shared purpose. They shape our strategy, guide our leaders, and empower our people to act with integrity and accountability. Strategy is only as effective as the people who bring it to life.
That spirit has defined JE Dunn across generations. During World War II, Ernie Dunn built Kansas City’s Quartermaster Depot at cost — a decision that earned personal thanks from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It was a defining example of doing the right thing.
Ernie also set out to establish a company grounded in the Golden Rule: treat people the way you want to be treated. The culture he built emphasized kindness, honesty, and respect for employees, clients, and partners alike. He believed that when you take care of your people by paying them a fair wage and supporting their families, they will take care of the work and the communities they serve.
For decades, the Dunn family carried that philosophy forward, a culture that centers families first and treats employees as an extension of the company’s founding family. That belief took its most meaningful form in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), guaranteeing that the people who build our projects and serve our clients also share in the company’s long-term success.
Today, every employee-owner plays a role in carrying that legacy forward. Our leaders continue to invest in our employees’ well-being, development, and long-term opportunities, empowering our people to lead, serve, and make a difference on jobsites, offices, and communities nationwide.
