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Applying Subaru's Factory Lessons to National Parks

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SOURCE:Subaru of America

DESCRIPTION:

How much do you think about reducing, reusing and recycling over the course of a day?

If you answer "not much," Denise Coogan has some choice words: "It costs you too much not to be thinking about it."

Coogan, environmental partnership manager at Subaru of America, recently spoke to a packed room about the automaker's sustainability commitment at the first-ever Eco Week at Chase's campus in Wilmington, Del.

Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is recognized for having the country's first zero-landfill automotive assembly plant—meaning less than 10 percent of waste from its Indiana plant goes to a landfill. In fact, the plant hasn't sent waste to a landfill since 2004.

Continue reading via Chase.com 

Tweet me:@Chase #ecoweek Applying @subaru_usa factory lessons to #NationalParks http://bit.ly/2v5nXy1 #SubaruLovestheEarth #DontFeedtheLandfills

KEYWORDS: Environment, subaru


Jobs for Unemployed Veterans

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After 18 years in the Army, Jeff was medically retired and having the all-too-common experience of struggling to find work after service. The happy ending began when social media connected him with one of his former soldiers who was a manager at Walmart.

SOURCE:Walmart

DESCRIPTION:

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, just over 7,000 -- 4.5 percent of the 164,000 veterans in Oklahoma's work force -- are unemployed. But there's another 152,000 veterans who aren't considered in the work force, which means they're either not looking for jobs, or have given up looking.

"I would like to see us do better," said State Senator Frank Simpson, "because I think military people bring some unique skills with them that maybe their civilian counterparts don't have."

Sen. Simpson, R-Springer, a veteran himself, is trying to help. In 2015, Simpson sponsored legislation allowing private companies to do what state agencies were already doing -- give hiring preference to veterans.

"Walmart worked very closely with me on that legislation," Simpson recalled, "because they had had success with it in other states."

And they're having success with it now in Oklahoma, as well.

To continue reading go to www.news9.com 

Tweet me:Lean more about @Walmart 'Veterans Welcome Home' Commitment, designed to help unemployed #vets http://bit.ly/2vSzhOo

KEYWORDS: Diversity & Inclusion, Walmart, Veterans

After Nearly Five Years in Foster Care, Sibling Group Has Their Forever Family

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SOURCE:Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

DESCRIPTION:

Most children in foster care will spent at least a year away from their family. Many of the 425,000 children in foster care will return to their biological family, but more than 110,000 children are waiting to be adopted right now.

The Van Valkenburgh siblings spent 1,663 days in foster care. That’s four and a half years! As a sibling group with special needs, these three were considered “unadoptable,” but today are thriving in their adoptive home. Just like us, their parents believe that unadoptable is unacceptable.

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption works to raise awareness about foster care adoption and works to remove the stigma surrounding foster care and the children in care. Children in foster care are there because they are victims. Victims of abuse, neglect, abandonment and they were no longer safe with their biological families. These children did nothing wrong. They need our help.

The Foundation’s signature program is called Wendy’s Wonderful Kids. Through this program we are able to give funds to adoption agencies in the U.S. and Canada. The agencies hire adoption recruiters, who are trained by the Foundation and focus solely on the children who are most at risk of not being adopted. That includes older children, sibling groups and children with special needs like the Van Valkenburgh siblings.

Each time a family is created through foster care adoption our hearts swell with pride knowing we are furthering the mission of our beloved founder Dave Thomas. #ItsWorthIt

If you’d like to join the thousands of people helping to further our mission, we invite you to visit our website, davethomasfoundation.org, to learn more or to make a contribution. 

Tweet me:Unadoptable is unacceptable: special needs siblings find #foreverfamily http://bit.ly/2tMOmQJ #FosterCareAdoption #ItsWorthIt @DTFA

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Dave Thomas Foundation, adoption, foster care, forever family, Recruiter, Wendy's, special needs children

Trump Won't Stop Americans Hitting the Paris Climate Targets. Here's How We Do It

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by Michael Bloomberg

SOURCE:Bloomberg

SUMMARY:

Forget the White House, a new coalition of cities, businesses and universities are taking a lead role in fighting climate change.

DESCRIPTION:

The global effort to confront climate change was hobbled for many years by the mistaken idea that only national governments and international rules could solve the problem. The Paris agreement, which recognizes and supports voluntary carbon-reduction efforts by cities, regions and businesses, was an important step in the right direction. Ironically, no one has done more to demonstrate the agreement’s strengths than its most prominent critic: Donald Trump.

Last week, the Trump administration formally notified the UN of its intention to withdraw from the Paris agreement. It was an empty gesture, because no party can actually withdraw until November 2020 (right after the next US presidential election). What matters is this: the US is on pace to reach the commitment we made under the agreement – and there is nothing Washington can do to stop us.

Over the past decade, the US has led the world in reducing carbon emissions. In that time, the US Congress has never passed a single law directly aimed at climate change.

The central climate-related regulation adopted by the Obama administration – a carbon emission standard for power plants – was put on hold by the courts and never even went into effect. And yet we are already about halfway to our Paris goal of reducing carbon emissions by at least 26% by 2025.

To read the full story, click here

Tweet me:Trump won't stop Americans hitting the Paris climate targets. Here's how we do it @mikebloomberg #wearestillin http://bit.ly/2wXGiK2

KEYWORDS: Environment, Climate Action, Bloomberg, Paris Accord, Paris Agreement, We Are Still In, America's Pledge, Mike Bloomberg

A Holistic Approach to Empowering Health Entrepreneurs

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SOURCE:Pfizer

DESCRIPTION:

Around the world, health entrepreneurs and social enterprises are pioneering innovative, locally driven solutions that have the potential to transform healthcare for underserved communities. These young organizations are starting small but thinking big, and private sector companies like Pfizer can play an important role in helping them grow. However, we must also realize that, in today’s complex health landscape, successful collaboration requires more than financial support.

Through its Global Health Innovation Grant (GHIG) program, the Pfizer Foundation seeks to empower social entrepreneurs by providing technical assistance and mentorship, in addition to funding. These partnerships are truly collaborative, and aim to supply these growing enterprises with the flexible and holistic support they need to help their ideas flourish.

In a recent post published by Health Affairs, Caroline Roan, Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at Pfizer, and Zubaida Bai, founder and CEO of ayzh, Inc., a recent GHIG recipient, discussed the organizations’ partnership and how the Pfizer Foundation is helping ayzh deliver low-cost maternal health solutions to even more women in India and Africa. Read the full article here.

The Pfizer Foundation is a charitable organization established by Pfizer Inc. It is a separate legal entity from Pfizer Inc. with distinct legal restrictions.

 

Tweet me:Learn how the #PfizerFdn is supporting local #entrepreneurs like @ayzh in their efforts to improve #globalhealth http://bit.ly/2uDr2FD

KEYWORDS: Health & Healthcare, Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Partnerships, access, Corporate Social Responsibility

دعوة للتقدم لورشة عمل الممارسات الريادية المستدامة، حيث تعتبر الأولى من نوعها في المملكة العربية السعودية والتي تستهدف المنشآت الصغيرة والمتوسطة

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SOURCE:AccountAbility

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/August 15, 2017 /3BL Media  -- تفخر مؤسسة الملك خالد بإقامة علاقة شراكة مع مؤسسة أكاونتابلتي لتنظيم البرنامج التدريبي الخاص بالممارسات الريادية المستدامة والذي يُعدّ الأول من نوعه في المملكة العربية السعودية. ستقام الورشة من خلال حلقات تدريبية على مدى ثلاثة أيام من ٢٣-٢٥ أكتوبر٢٠١٧. وسيكون هذا ثالث تدريب بعد ورشتي عمل سابقتين في الرياض وابها. وسيتم عقد البرنامج باللغة الإنجليزية مع توفر الترجمة الفورية إلى اللغة العربية.

ستحظى الشركات المشاركة بفرصة الحصول على التدريب والانخراط في تدريبات تفاعلية حول مسائل رئيسية في مجال التنمية المستدامة، مثل "دراسة الجدوى للاستدامة"، و "أدوات قياس أثر الاستدامة". وسيتم تخصيص الحلقات التدريبية ومواءمتها بما يتناسب مع سياق الأعمال التجارية في المملكة، وكذلك ستركز على مواضيع محددة تُعنى بصناعات معينة. وستحصل كل شركة مشاركة على توجيه عملي حول الممارسات الريادية في الاستدامة الواردة في حقيبة أدوات الورشة.

تهدف ورشة عمل الممارسات الريادية المستدامة إلى رفع مستوى الأداء التجاري وتحسينه في المملكة من خلال بناء قدرة الاستدامة لدى قطاع الأعمال وتوفير فرصة كبيرة لها لزيادة مستوى إسهامها في اقتصاد المملكة: المنشآت الصغيرة ومتوسطة الحجم.وتتوافق أهداف التدريب إلى حد كبير مع أهداف رؤية المملكة 2030 م.فكلاهما تهدفان إلى زيادة مستوى كفاءة وفعالية القطاع الخاص، وتركزان على الإجراءات التي من شأنها تنويع الأعمال التجارية السعودية وتعزيز فرص نشوء قطاعات جديدة.

الشركات المؤهلة مدعوة لتحديد مجال اهتمامها في المشاركة وذلك من خلال تعبئة وارسال النموذج الإلكتروني. ويمكن الإطلاع على متطلبات التأهل بالتفصيل في رابط الطلب الإلكتروني (متوفر باللغتين العربية والإنجليزية)  على الموقع www.KKFSLPtraining.com. علماً بأن آخر موعد للتسجيل سيكون يوم ١٧ أيلول ٢٠١٧م.

المخلص

ماهي: ورشة عمل الممارسات الريادية المستدامة؟(تقدّم من هنا: www.KKFSLPtraining.com)

من هم المستهدفون: المنشآت الصغيرة ومتوسطة الحجم.

متى: ٢٣-٢٥ أكتوبر ٢٠١٧م

أين: مدينة الدمام. سيتم تحديد الموقع في تاريخ لاحق.

نبذة عن مؤسسة الملك خالد الخيرية

تسعى مؤسسة الملك خالد الخيرية إلى أن تكون مؤسسة نموذجية رائدة في العمل الإنساني والتنموي في المملكة العربية السعودية، وأن يكون لها تأثير إيجابي على حياة الناس عبر ابتكار حلول فاعلة لمواجهة التحديات الاجتماعية والاقتصادية في المملكة.هذا وتتميز المؤسسة بسجل حافل في إدارة برامج ذات تأثير عالٍ في المملكة من خلال عقد شراكات مع شركات تجارية خاصة وحكومية على حدٍ سواء. ومن الأمثلة على هذه البرامج، نفذت المؤسسة برامج مثل: الحد من الإيذاء، وهي عبارة عن حملة توعية عامة تم إطلاقها بالشراكة مع مؤسسة ميماك أوجلفي تمخض عنها اعتماد "نظام حماية للمرأة والطفل من الإيذاء"؛ وكذلك برنامج "شبابنا مستقبلنا"، وهو عبارة عن برنامج واسع النطاق يهدف إلى تدريب الشباب السعودي وتوظيفهم، وتم إطلاقه بالشراكة مع صندوق تنمية الموارد البشرية بهدف توفير فرص التدريب والتوظيف لأكثر من 3500 شاب وشابة. وهناك أيضاً جائزة الملك خالد، وهي عبارة عن جوائز سنوية ولها ثلاث فروع : فرع التميّز للمنظمات غير الربحية، وفرع شركاء التنمية، وفرع التنافسية المسؤولة.

نبذة حول مؤسسة أكاونتابلتي

مؤسسة أكاونتابلتي هي منظمة عالمية رائدة "غير ربحية"تركز على الأبحاث والمعايير والاستشارات لتوفير حلول مبتكرة لأكثر التحديات حساسية في مجال الاستدامة والمسؤولية الاجتماعية للشركات. ومنذ عام ١٩٩٥م، عملنا على مساندة المؤسسات التجارية والمنظمات غير الربحية والمؤسسات الحكومية على ترسيخ معايير المساءلة الأخلاقية، البيئية، والاجتماعية والحوكمة داخل نهجها المؤسسي.

Tweet me:Invitation to apply for Saudi Arabia's first sustainability training for small and medium enterprises http://bit.ly/2x0pLoY

KEYWORDS: Events, Media & Communications, Awards, Ratings & Rankings

 

Invitation to Apply for Saudi Arabia's First Sustainability Training for Small and Medium Enterprises

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SOURCE:AccountAbility

DESCRIPTION:

August 15, 2017 /3BL Media / -- King Khalid Foundation is proud to partner with AccountAbility to facilitate the Sustainability Leading Practices (SLP) Training Program, which is the first of its kind in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The workshop will be conducted through three days of training sessions on October 23-25, 2017. This will be the third training, following two previous workshops in Riyadh and Abha. The training will be provided in English and simultaneous Arabic translation will also be available.

Participating companies will receive training and engage in interactive exercises on key sustainability topics, such as “The Business Case for Sustainability” and “Measurement Tools for Sustainability Impact”. The training will be tailored to the Saudi Arabian business context and will focus on industry-specific topics. Each participant will receive actionable guidance on leading sustainability practices contained in a Sustainability Toolkit.

The SLP workshop aims to improve business performance in the Kingdom by building sustainability capacity at businesses with a tremendous opportunity to increase their contribution to the Saudi economy: small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The training objectives align closely with those of the Government of Saudi Arabia in the Saudi Vision 2030. Both aim to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the private sector, and focus on procedures to diversify Saudi business and boost new sectors.

Eligible companies are invited to indicate their interest in participating by submitting a short application before September 17, 2017. Detailed eligibility requirements are provided in the online application (available in both Arabic and English) at www.KKFSLPtraining.com.

Summary

What: Sustainability Leading Practices Training (apply here: www.KKFSLPtraining.com)

Who: Small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in KSA

When: October 23-25, 2017

Where: Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Exact location will be shared at a later date.

About The King Khalid Foundation

King Khalid Foundation aims to be the leader and role model in the philanthropic and development work in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to positively impact peoples' lives by providing innovative solutions to critical socio-economic challenges in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. KKF has a legacy of managing high impact programs in the Kingdom, in partnership with business and government. Examples of these programs include: No More Abuse, a public awareness campaign in partnership with Memac Ogilvy, after which the “Women and Child Abuse Prevention Law” was adopted; Our Youth Our Future, a large-scale youth training and employment program in partnership with HRDF aimed at providing training and employment for over 3,500 youths; The King Khalid Awards, annual awards for Non-Profit Excellence, Development Partners, and Responsible Competitiveness.

About AccountAbility

AccountAbility is a leading global “not-for-profit” organization focused on research, standards, and consulting, providing innovative solutions to the most critical challenges in sustainability and CSR. Since 1995, we have been helping corporations, nonprofits and governments embed ethical, environmental, social and governance accountability into their organizational DNA.

Tweet me:Invitation to Apply for Saudi Arabia's First Sustainability Training for Small and Medium Enterprises http://bit.ly/2w63PvZ

KEYWORDS: Events, Media & Communications, Awards, Ratings & Rankings, Sustainability Leading Practices Training Program, king khalid foundation

 

PepsiCo’s Food for Good Program Drives Company Innovation

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How the purpose-driving business initiative has helped achieve company goals.

SOURCE:PepsiCo

DESCRIPTION:

Eight years ago PepsiCo piloted a different approach to social good with a purpose-driven business initiative called Food for Good (FFG). FFG generates no profit for the company, but uniquely takes advantage of the logistical expertise and technological knowledge of PepsiCo.

“FFG is more than a CSR program and more than a philanthropic initiative,” says Jonathan George, the innovation manager at FFG. “In its use of a purpose-driven business model, FFG was designed to be self-sustaining and scalable, leveraging the combined capabilities of a major food and beverage corporate and local non-profit partners to address a specific social need by making healthy meals accessible to children throughout the year.”

The FFG has delivered, in total, over 12 million healthy meals to low-income families who weren’t being reached by other services. George says this total includes more than 50 million healthy servings of fresh fruits and vegetables, grains and dairy, much of it going to kids, particularly in the summer months when school lunches are not available.

Click here to learn more about PepsiCo's Food for Good initiative.

Tweet me:.@PepsiCo’s Food for Good program drives company innovation https://goo.gl/9H4PfS

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Pepsico, Food for Good, performance with purpose


Infographic: Subaru's 50 Cars for 50 Years

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Vehicle donation will enable Meals on Wheels programs to deliver more nutritious meals and companionship to seniors in need

SOURCE:Subaru of America

DESCRIPTION:

Subaru has supported Meals on Wheels for the last nine years through Share the Love, contributing more than $12 million to Meals on Wheels America and providing more than 1.7 million nutritious meals, friendly visits, and safety checks to seniors in communities nationwide. Subaru announced the donation to its 630-strong retailer body at the company’s National Business Conference in Denver, CO. This was particularly appropriate as Subaru retailers participate in the company’s annual Share the Love event and donate to causes in their local community. The company’s ‘50 Cars for 50 Years’ vehicle donation will enable Meals on Wheels programs to deliver more nutritious meals and moments of companionship, expanding its reach to seniors in need.

Learn more here 

Tweet me:.@subaru_usa '50 Cars for 50 Years’ will enable @_MealsOnWheels to deliver more meals http://bit.ly/2vWrAqj #SubaruLovesToHelp

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Media & Communications, subaru, Meals on Wheels

Simon Says Give, So Betty Gives Cake

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by Ashley Halladay

SOURCE:General Mills

DESCRIPTION:

When it comes to kids throwing birthday parties for kids in need, Simon Says Give takes the cake.

Well, the youth-run organization technically gives the cake and so much more … to thousands of kids.

Yesterday, hundreds of volunteers showed up at Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, to help Mandi Simon, 13, celebrate the fifth birthday of the non-profit organization she started at age seven, by packing 2,500 birthday boxes for kids who would otherwise go without a birthday party. 

Simon believes every kid deserves to feel special and celebrated on their birthday, and one way her organization helps make that happen is by hosting a party or giving a “birthday in a box” kit with all the necessities for a fun party for 10 kids – including a gift-in-need and a gift-of-fun for the birthday kid.

The young party-thrower talks about Simon Says Give, the “birthday in a box” concept and Betty Crocker’s contribution to the cause for the Mall of America event, in this video.  

Betty Crocker has been a part of celebrating special occasions with families since the 1920s. Of course, one of the biggest special occasions for everyone, is a birthday. 

And a delicious cake is a birthday party essential.  

That’s why Betty Crocker donated 2,500 boxes of cake mix and containers of Rainbow Chip frosting for yesterday’s Simon Says Give birthday box bash.

“We’re proud to be here with Simon Says Give, supporting the work they do to help underprivileged children celebrate birthdays together,” said Kimberly Seifert, marketing manager for Betty Crocker. “We’re excited to be partnering with them by donating some of our products so more kids can celebrate their birthdays with a cake on the table.”

At the end of this year, Simon Says Give will have helped around 150,000 children. And its goal is to support 2 million children by 2022.  

But the organization can’t reach that goal without the help of young leaders and supportive adults.  

Seventy percent of Simon Says Give’s volunteer hours are fulfilled by those 18 years old or younger.  The organization is always looking for volunteers of all ages to help bring birthday wishes to life across the U.S.  

To learn more about how you can get involved, visit SimonSaysGive.org

Tweet me:.@SimonSaysGive, @BettyCrocker pack 2,500 birthday boxes for kids who would otherwise go without a birthday party http://bit.ly/2wLXJxk

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Non-Profits, General Mills, Betty Crocker, Simon Says Give

    

Wayfair and Habitat for Humanity Renew Global Partnership

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Home retailer donates more than $1 million to help build and rehabilitate safe and affordable homes

SOURCE:Habitat for Humanity

DESCRIPTION:

BOSTON, August 15, 2017 /3BL Media/ – Wayfair, provider of home furnishings and décor, and Habitat for Humanity today announced the renewal of their global partnership to help build and rehabilitate safe and affordable homes. Wayfair has contributed more than $1 million to Habitat for Humanity as it celebrates five years of partnership. Wayfair will continue to provide fundraising, product donations and volunteer mobilization to help families build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter.

“Wayfair is rooted in the belief that everyone should live in a home they love, which is why we are so committed to Habitat’s mission to create safe, decent and affordable housing in partnership with individuals and families,” noted Niraj Shah, CEO, co-founder and co-chairman, Wayfair. “Over the past five years of partnership, our customers have also shown tremendous support for this important cause, and we are delighted to see so many of them engaged in supporting Habitat’s mission with us. We look forward to building on our partnership with Habitat and providing more families the chance to own a home.”

Wayfair supports Habitat through a variety of fundraising initiatives as well as employee and customer engagement. More than 200,000 Wayfair.com customers have demonstrated their generosity and commitment to Habitat’s mission at checkout. In addition, Wayfair has donated thousands of pieces of furniture and décor to Habitat for Humanity ReStore resale outlets to help fund decent and affordable housing across the country.

To commemorate the company’s growing presence in Canada following the launch of Wayfair.ca in January 2016, Wayfair will participate in its first build project in the Greater Toronto area at a townhome community in Scarborough, the largest build site in the region. The company will join forces with local business partners and customers alongside a Habitat homeowner in October to help their family build a safe, decent and affordable place to call home in time for the holidays.

“We are grateful for the support Wayfair has provided Habitat for Humanity as we celebrate the five-year anniversary of our partnership,” said Colleen Finn Ridenhour, senior vice president of Development at Habitat for Humanity International. “It’s the generosity of organizations such as Wayfair that allows us to reach more individuals and families to ensure everyone has a decent place to live.”

About Habitat for Humanity

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity has grown from a grassroots effort that began on a community farm in southern Georgia in 1976 to a global nonprofit housing organization in more than 1,300 communities across the U.S. and in over 70 countries. People partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.

About Wayfair

Wayfair Inc. offers an extensive selection of home furnishings and décor across all styles and price points. The Wayfair family of sites includes:

  • Wayfair, an online destination for all things home
  • Joss & Main, where beautiful furniture and finds meet irresistible savings
  • AllModern, unbelievable prices on everything modern
  • DwellStudio, unexpected modern design for everyday life
  • Birch Lane, a collection of classic furnishings and timeless home décor

Wayfair generated $3.9 billion in net revenue for the twelve months ended June 30, 2017. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts with operations throughout North America and Europe, the company employs more than 6,000 people.

Tweet me:.@Wayfair and @Habitat_org renew global partnership http://bit.ly/2uFSItr #HabitatForHumanity

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Non-Profits, Habitat for Humanity, Wayfair, affordable housing

KFC Takes Children's Hospice Under Its Wing with Staggering Donation

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by Morgan Condon

SOURCE:Yum! Brands

DESCRIPTION:

A children’s hospice has been celebrating after receiving a takeaway worth nearly £100,000 from a supportive fast-food restaurant.

KFC’s Add Hope Foundation raised £95,638 for the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice through schemes run across 144 London branches.

Click here to read the full article

Tweet me:.@KFC_UKI takes children's hospice under its wing with staggering donation via @Times_Series http://bit.ly/2w6Y8hD @YumBrands #AddHope

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

How Employers and Employees Can Constructively Fight Against Hate and Teach Tolerance

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SOURCE:America's Charities

DESCRIPTION:

“I am very alarmed at hate crimes. What can I, as one person, do to help?”

“I find myself wanting to act, to show support for the victims, to demonstrate my anger and sorrow. But I don’t know what to do or how to begin.”

Questions like these arrive daily at the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a member of America's Charities. When a hate crime occurs or a hate group rallies, good people often feel helpless. 

As an employer, how can you support your employees' desire to do something in a safe and constructive way? As a parent, how do you explain such atrocities to your child - and even more importantly, what can you do to serve as a positive role model for them?

SPLC has created a host of resources to help individuals fight hate constructively and teach tolerance to future generations of our country. 

Three Things You Can Do Now:

  1. Read SPLC's community resource guide, "Ten Ways to Fight Hate." This guide sets out 10 principles for fighting hate in your community.
     
  2. Teach Tolerance to our nation's youth by visiting www.tolerance.org, a project created by SPLC. While the site is specifically designed to provide teachers with classroom teaching plans and resources for creating equitable school experiences, this site is a great place for parents to find ways to speak with their children about race and ethnicity, bullying, religion, gender identity, disabilities, and rights and activism. 
     
  3. Support SPLC's mission with a donation through workplace giving. Click here to make a one-time donation now, or be a sustaining supporter by donating to SPLC through workplace giving. Workplace giving gives employees the ability to make a big contribution through payroll deduction, which allows you to spread your pledge over the course of a year, in smaller, more financially manageable amounts to be deducted from your paycheck. Where as many sources of revenue that nonprofits rely on require the nonprofit to use funds for a specific project or purpose, workplace giving donations provide nonprofits with unrestricted funds, giving them flexibility to direct funds to the operations and programs that will allow them to most effectively realize their mission. Learn more about how to participate in and/or start a workplace giving program

Tweet me:.@AmerCharities: How Employers and Employees Can Constructively Fight Against Hate http://impact.ac/2uMMlQX @SPLCenter #SocialImpact

KEYWORDS: Diversity & Inclusion, Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, America's Charities, Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), workplace giving, employee giving, anti-violence, tolerance, fight hate

Highmark Health Uses Website to Match Employees to Community Service

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SOURCE:VolunteerMatch

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This article originally appeared on The State Journal.

By Cynthia McCloud

...This year, insurance company Highmark Health subscribed to VolunteerMatch so its employees could more easily find projects that need their help and that fit their personal interests. VolunteerMatch also tracks service hours.

Since the site opened to workers in February, 2,300 of Highmark Health’s 40,000 employees have registered and logged 7,800 volunteer hours, said Judy Windom, who manages the company’s VolunteerMatch platform.

“Our employees are our company’s greatest asset. They not only give 100 percent to their jobs, but they also go above and beyond by supporting community programs,” said Evan Frazier, senior vice president of community affairs at Highmark Health. “Our spirit of employee volunteerism is alive and contagious, with thousands of hours committed to programs each year that assist nonprofit organizations in the communities where we do business.”

Read the full article on The State Journal.

Tweet me:Highmark Health Uses Website to Match Employees to Community Service: http://bit.ly/2uGDrsk via @VM_Solutions

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Social Impact & Volunteering, Volunteering, corporate volunteering, corporate giving, employee volunteering, VolunteerMatch

Keep America Beautiful Announces Launch of 2017 Recycle-Bowl; Encourages Nation to #BeRecycled Ahead of America Recycles Day

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Nationwide Call for Schools to Enter America’s Largest K-12 Recycling Competition; Thousands of America Recycles Day Events and Activities Expected

SOURCE:Keep America Beautiful

DESCRIPTION:

STAMFORD, Conn. August 16, 2017 /3BL Media/ – As students begin to gather their notebooks, backpacks and pencils for the new school year, Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s iconic community improvement nonprofit organization, plans to ignite a passion for recycling in schools across the country with the launch of its 7th Annual Keep America Beautiful Recycle-Bowl. Registration is now open for the fall recycling competition at http://Recycle-Bowl.org/.

Recycle-Bowl, Keep America Beautiful’s national K-12 school-based recycling competition, begins on Oct. 16 and culminates on America Recycles Day, Nov. 15. Champions are crowned in five categories: School Division, Community Division, District Division, Waste Reduction and Food Scrap Collection. Through participation in Recycle-Bowl and America Recycles Day, the only nationally-recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States, Keep America Beautiful is helping communities spotlight recycling on a local level by educating students and community members on how and what to recycle, while providing an array of resources to improve recycling in America.

“Keep America Beautiful is determined to end littering, improve recycling, reduce waste and beautify America’s communities,” said Brenda Pulley, senior vice president, recycling, Keep America Beautiful. “Recycle-Bowl and America Recycles Day are key fall initiatives to educate, motivate and activate individuals and entire communities to better understand what to place in recycling bins and the many environmental, economic and social benefits of recycling.”

New this year, Recycle-Bowl is partnering with PepsiCo, a presenting sponsor, to offer participants the opportunity to concurrently sign up for PepsiCo’s Recycle Rally program. “Keep America Beautiful’s Recycle-Bowl is a great way to get schools and communities fired up about recycling, and we think Recycle Rally is a natural complement to extend that level of engagement throughout the rest of the school year,” said Tom Mooradian, PepsiCo Sustainability Manager. Recycle Rally rewards schools for recycling beverage containers and offers frequent promotions and access to free downloadable resources to help schools boost recycling .More information on this collaboration will be available in the coming weeks.

Registration for the fun and engaging four-week in-school competition is open to teachers, school administrators, school facility managers, PTA/PTO and other parent groups and local recycling advocates. Recycle-Bowl registration will remain open until Oct. 10, one week before the start of the competition. Nearly 700,000 students and teachers from more than 1,290 schools across the nation competed in the 2016 Recycle-Bowl.

Recyclables recovered during the 2016 Recycle-Bowl competition totaled 3.2 million pounds across 47 U.S. states, with Bon Air Elementary of Kokomo, Indiana, crowned as the 2016 champion. Whether a school has an existing recycling program or is looking to launch one, Recycle-Bowl is an excellent way for teachers, students and facility managers to engage their entire school community in recycling.

AMERICA RECYCLES DAY: NOV. 15, 2017

America Recycles Day, a Keep America Beautiful national initiative, takes place on and in the weeks leading into Nov. 15. Registration is open for businesses, community organizations, government entities, individuals and others planning to host an America Recycles Day-themed event. For recycling educators, the program provides an opportunity to improve recycling by reminding individuals what can be recycled.

Event organizers can access valuable resources to plan, promote and host an event on the America Recycles Day website where there are guides for hosting events, activity ideas, downloadable posters and banners, media outreach tools, sample proclamations and more. Events can be scheduled at any time during the fall leading into the official America Recycles Day celebration, Nov. 15. Learn more at AmericaRecyclesDay.org.

TAKE THE #BERECYCLED PLEDGE

For the second year, Keep America Beautiful is encouraging people to #BeRecycled in every aspect of their life. Available online at americarecyclesday.org/pledge/ and via paper pledges at events across the country, the #BeRecycled Pledge is a promise to actively choose to live a recycled lifestyle by committing to “Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.” in all aspects of daily life:

  • Recycling at home, work/school and on-the-go;
  • Buying products made with recycled content; and
  • Educating and encouraging friends, family and neighbors to take the #BeRecycled Pledge.

“America Recycles Day and Recycle-Bowl are moments in time that provide the inspiration and education to make recycling a common practice, every day of the year,” said Pulley. “We encourage everyone in communities across the country – including schools, business and organizations – to participate and to take the #BeRecycled Pledge in a national effort to improve recycling in America.”

Sponsors of this year’s initiative include American Chemistry Council, H&M, Keurig Green Mountain, and Waste Management.

About Keep America Beautiful
Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s iconic community improvement nonprofit organization, inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. Established in 1953, we strive to End Littering, Improve Recycling and Beautify America’s Communities. We believe everyone has a right to live in a clean, green and beautiful community, and shares a responsibility to contribute to that vision.

Behavior change – steeped in education, research and behavioral science – is the cornerstone of Keep America Beautiful. We empower generations of community stewards with volunteer programs, hands-on experiences, curricula, practical advice and other resources to deliver measurable environmental, economic and social benefits. The organization is driven by more than 600 state and local affiliates, millions of volunteers, and the support of corporate partners, social and civic service organizations, academia, municipalities and government officials. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Donate and take action at kab.org.

Tweet me:With the new #school year around the corner, register for @kabtweet's #Recycle-Bowl + @recyclesday now! #BeRecycled http://bit.ly/2w7Tgss

Contact Info:

Emily White
Keep America Beautiful
+1 (203) 659-3004
ewhite@kab.org
http://www.recycle-bowl.org
http://americarecyclesday.org
http://www.twitter.com/recyclesday
http://www.facebook.com/americarecyclesday

Larry Kaufman
Keep America Beautiful
+1 (203) 659-3014
lkaufman@kab.org

KEYWORDS: Education, Quality Education, Keep America Beautiful, Recycle-Bowl, America Recycles Day, Recycling, American Chemistry Council, H&M, Keurig Green Mountain, waste management

 


Pfizer Supports the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development

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SOURCE:Pfizer

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For Pfizer, Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being, is inextricably linked to our belief that every individual deserves to lead a long, healthy and productive life. Good health is fundamental to advancing all of the 17 SDGs, each of which is connected to advances in public health.

Pfizer is exploring ways to build commercially sustainable, socially responsible business models that address areas of significant public health need in developed, middle-income and developing countries. And by partnering with socially responsible entrepreneurs, we are working collectively to advance progress toward health targets identified by the UN as critical to achieving SDG 3.

Learn more about Pfizer’s support of the United Nations Global Goals at www.pfizer.com/annual.

Tweet me:#PfizerAnnualReview showcases how @Pfizer is contributing to the @UN Sustainable Development Goals #SDGs: www.pfizer.com/annual

KEYWORDS: Sustainable Development Goals, Health & Healthcare, annual review, sustainable development goals, united nations, Corporate Social Responsibility, sustainability, Pfizer, Partnerships

Is Your Company's Giving Program as World-Changing as You Think?

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SOURCE:America's Charities

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We all have causes we're passionate about supporting and want to truly make a difference in the community. How does your company stack up though? When it comes to your company’s employee giving and engagement programs, are you considered “CSR Explorers,” “All-pro Humanitarians,” or “Hall of fame world changers”?

See how you stack up to other companies! Click here.

Tweet me:.@AmerCharities: Is your company's giving program as world-changing as you think? http://impact.ac/2vC3hgc #EmployeeGiving #SocialImpact

KEYWORDS: Social Impact & Volunteering, Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, employee giving, workplace giving, America's Charities, Crowdfunding, Fundraising, Giving Trends, Research

Brightening Our Corner Newsletter - August 2017

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SOURCE:Ray C. Anderson Foundation

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RayDay Promises Fun for the Whole Family

RayDay 2017 promises to be the best ever with several new exhibitors, additional booths in the kids’ area, and all of the great things that have become traditions through five years of fun together. 
RayDay will continue to be a zero food waste event this year, and all kinds of yummy cuisine will be available once again from the Food Movement trucks, the Sweetwater van, sustainable wine choices, and in keeping with its overwhelming popularity last year, King of Pops will be back!  Click hereto read more and to register.

Carbon Reduction Challenge Finalists Featured in Poster Expo at Georgia Tech

The 10th cohort of students to participate in the Carbon Reduction Challenge at the Georgia Institute of Technology gathered on August 14th in a crowded atrium full of eager visitors. These students came prepared to present their solutions for reducing carbon emissions across a diverse set of organizations that hosted Georgia Tech interns and co-op students this past summer.

A team of Georgia Tech interns who worked with SunTrust were the winners of this Challenge with a program that reduces the financial giant’s CO2 impact by millions of pounds over a five-year period. Read more.

Foundation is Presenting Sponsor for Chattahoochee Riverkeeper's Climate Change Conference

The Ray C. Anderson Foundation is a Presenting Sponsor for the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper's Climate Change Conference September 27-28, and Foundation President, Mary Anne Lanier, is the Conference Chair. More than 40 local and national scientists and sustainability experts will explore the effects of changing climate conditions to human, infrastructure and ecological interests in the Chattahoochee watershed and offer solutions for a resilient future for all who depend on the river system. Keynote speakers are Paul Hawken and Dr. Marshall Shepherd. Read more.

The Ray Drives the News on What a Sustainable Highway Should Look Like

Over the past few months, The Ray has seen an explosion of media interest! The Ray team members are excited to have so many opportunities to share its mission, vision, and accomplishments with the world. They are especially thrilled to announce that they have been selected by The Weather Channel to be featured in their upcoming special, "Top 10 Ways To Save The Planet." The special will air Sunday, October 1 at 8:00 PM eastern time, so mark your calendars! Click here to read their latest news.

Biomimicry Global Design Challenge: Five Nature Inspired Climate Change Solutions Advance to Entrepreneurship Accelerator

Five teams of entrepreneurs from around the world have been chosen to participate in the newest cohort of the world’s only business accelerator program dedicated to bringing nature-inspired solutions to market.
 
Over 100 teams entered the 2017 Biomimicry Global Design Challenge, answering the call to apply biomimicry, or nature-inspired design, to develop solutions to reverse or adapt to climate change. In the open category, winning teams have been chosen to receive a cash prize and an invitation to enter the 2017-18 Biomimicry Accelerator, which culminates in the $100,000 Ray C. Anderson Foundation Ray of Hope Prize®. Read more about the finalists.

Ecocentricity Blog: Role-Reversal

John Lanier recalls what it was like to participate in the judging of the 2017-18 Biomimicry Global Design Challenge entries. "Each submission I reviewed involved an immense amount of work from these teams, and I’m grateful to them for the time and effort they put toward the challenge. While as judges we couldn’t advance every team to the Accelerator Phase, I was impressed by every entry I saw."Read more. 

Note:  Ecocentricity is available by weekly subscription and can be delivered to your e-mail box automatically every Wednesday.  When you click through to the blog, enter your information in the orange box in the right column to subscribe.

Recent Radio Interviews

The Ray's Executive Director, Allie Kelly, was interviewed on the Business Hour with Ron Comacho. Click to listen.

Megan Schuknecht, Director of Design Challenges at the Biomimicry Institute, was interviewed on Green Sense Radio.  Click to listen.

The Ray C. Anderson Foundation is the Platinum Sponsor for the Talk with Green Guy Show, which broadcasts weekly on WGST AM650 and iheartRadio.  Click here to access past shows, and be sure to sign up for the podcasts in the Google Play Store or listen on Apple Podcasts.

Upcoming Events

Total Solar Eclipse: August 21, 2017
Georgia Environmental Conference, August 23-25  *Anna Cullen of The Ray speaks in a panel along with Pete Marte of Hannah Solar and Tim Echols of the Georgia Public Service Commission
2017 MetroLab Annual Summit - September 13-15 at Georgia Tech  *Allie Kelly of The Ray will be speaking
Southface's Visionary Dinner - September 19
VERGE 17 Conference - September 19-21 *Harriet Langford and Allie Kelly of The Ray to host a VERGE Talk - "Can One Highway Drive the Future."
Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Climate Change Conference - September 27-28
The Weather Channel Segment on The Ray - October 1, 8PM Eastern. "Ten Best Ways to Save the Planet."
Transform | Energy Efficiency: Current and Future - Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) and Association of Energy Services Professionals (AESP) Conference - October 16-18

Tweet me:The Ray C. Anderson Foundation Quarterly Newsletter is available. Check it out. http://bit.ly/2wfT75h

Contact Info:

Valerie Bennett
Ray C. Anderson Foundation
+1 (770) 317-5858
valerie@raycandersonfoundation.org

KEYWORDS: Environment, Education, #Biomimicry, Janine Benyus, Biomimicry Institute, The Ray, Ray C. Anderson Foundation, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, #Ecocentricity, #RayDay2017

Junior Achievement volunteers help students make ‘cents’ of their future

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Wells Fargo team members share the impact Junior Achievement has had on their lives — and why they enjoying giving back to future generations.

SOURCE:Wells Fargo & Company

DESCRIPTION:

Curt Todd still remembers serving as CEO of his first business in high school, selling piggy banks and car rearview mirror decorations with his school’s mascot on them. He and a few classmates sold stock and used the money to buy materials and manufacture their products, which they sold at sporting events.

“We made a profit and were able to pay shareholders — our parents — a dividend,” said Todd, 55, a wealth advisor for Wells Fargo’s Wealth and Investment Management in Naples, Florida. “Back then, I didn’t know it would be relevant. I just knew I liked business.”

He started that high school business through a Junior Achievement USA® program. Today, Todd is one of more than 50 Wells Fargo team members who serve as board members for the organization, which seeks to prepare young people for success in a global economy. Junior Achievement volunteers provide programs and resources focused on work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy to about 4.8 million school-age students each year, according to the organization.

Wells Fargo and its team members have a long history of supporting Junior Achievement. Most recently, in 2016, Wells Fargo donated more than $1.5 million to 61 local Junior Achievement offices, and in June 2017, the company donated $100,000 to Junior Achievement of Chicago.

“Wells Fargo has been one of our greatest supporters,” said Jack Kosakowski, president and CEO of Junior Achievement USA. “This past year, the company received a Gold U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award for providing more than 15,000 volunteer hours to JA programs. We greatly appreciate Wells Fargo’s continued support of our mission to inspire and prepare young people for success.”

Lifelong lessons

For team members like Todd, connections to Junior Achievement run deep. Todd first became involved with the organization more than 40 years ago, as a fourth-grade participant. “I remember they made learning about business, capitalism, and entrepreneurship fun,” Todd said. “I knew I liked math and finance, and the lessons from Junior Achievement stuck with me through high school and college.”

Todd said Junior Achievement was instrumental in his decision to major in business in college and later pursue a career in banking. Once he started his career in 1985, Todd began volunteering with Junior Achievement, teaching students in third through 12th grades. He became a board member in 2008, and currently serves as the vice chairman for Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida’s board of directors. “I’ve lived in a lot of places and always volunteered — teaching wherever I am,” Todd said. “It’s fun to give back.”

Rita Nicholson is another team member who has a long history with Junior Achievement. While she did not participate as a child, her children did more than 20 years ago. Nicholson, a commercial lines manager for Wells Fargo’s Wholesale Banking in Denver, said she still has a “check” her youngest son wrote in 1993. “I just remember the kids always talking about it being fun, but it also taught them things they needed, compared to things they wanted, and explained expenses,” Nicholson said. “It taught them you don’t just get money from Mom and Dad. You have to work for it and be careful with your money.”

Nicholson said the lessons her sons learned through Junior Achievement have stayed with them and helped them become fiscally responsible adults, so when she had an opportunity to volunteer, she was thrilled to make an impact on other children. She has taught for about 15 years and currently serves on the board and executive committee for Junior Achievement of Southern Colorado. “Junior Achievement is dedicated to teaching children financial literacy, and I am happy to be a part of that,” Nicholson said.

‘You can see the lightbulbs go on’

While both said they have enjoyed working with students of all ages, after volunteering for years, Todd and Nicholson have their favorite ages and lessons to teach. For Nicholson, it’s third- and sixth-graders because of their excitement and ability to focus and retain the material. “You can see the lightbulbs go on,” Nicholson said. “In third grade they want expensive cars, but then reality hits. We play a game where each student is assigned a career and has to spend within the limits of their salary. When you see that they start to understand and get it, you know the long-term impact it has made on them.”

Todd said he prefers fifth graders because, “the kids are like sponges.” He appreciates that Junior Achievement teaches the same concepts he learned about as a child, but has updated the curriculum throughout the years to make it relevant. He supplements the curriculum with his own stock market game. The students select two or three companies and monitor how they perform on the stock market. “They always pick companies relevant to where they are in life,” Todd said. “The kids love it. They watch the news, and we discuss what the trends mean.”

He and Nicholson agree that there are important long-term effects from Junior Achievement — and they have seen them firsthand — which is why they continue to support the organization. “For a lot of these kids, economic education is not a part of the curriculum in their school system, so I think it fills a void,” Todd said. “It’s giving them the tools to be successful in a global economy.”

Tweet me:.@WellsFargo Junior Achievement volunteers help students make ‘cents’ of their future. @JA_USA. http://tinyurl.com/y97mcghs

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Education, Wells Fargo, junior achievement, job readiness, financial literacy

Five Reasons to Register for the Institute for Corporate Social Responsibility

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SOURCE:USCCF Corporate Citizenship Center

DESCRIPTION:

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a dynamic space—businesses of all sizes are constantly innovating and finding new ways to make an even greater impact in the communities where they operate. For CSR professionals, keeping up on these trends and best practices are crucial to both your professional growth and your ability to make a sustained impact through your work.  

As you consider your priorities for 2018—I encourage you to put your professional development at the top of that list.

Now in its fifth year, the Institute for Corporate Social Responsibility was designed by and for those working in the field. It’s helped practitioners at companies of all sizes refine their strategy, find new inspiration, and build new partnerships. Here are four reasons why you need to join us at Institute for CSR next year—as well as one reason why you need to get your application in before September 30!

1. Build your Peer Network

CSR is a unique space in the business world—balancing community impact, grants, creating shared value, and more. This balancing act makes it even more important to connect with those that understand your priorities and challenges.

Institute for CSR was designed with this in mind—during the four sessions you’ll connect as well as learn from your fellow participants. And since the Institute is limited to the first 25 accepted applicants, it fosters an intimate setting to make these invaluable professional connections. 

2. Learn from the Best

The Institute for CSR faculty includes some of the nation’s leading CSR practitioners, thinkers, and authors, including top executives from companies such as American Express, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, PwC, and, Walmart.  Each of these leaders dedicates their time to build a robust and challenging course for each Institute session—ensuring participants are exposed to some of the most exciting thinking and promising practices from the field.

3. Interactive Learning Experience

Designed by and for CSR professionals, the Institute’s curriculum is highly interactive, steeped in practice, and based on real-life case studies and current trends. The face-to-face learning experience will provide you with a trusted forum for robust discussions, debates, and exploration of unique challenges faced by participants, their companies, and the field at large.

4. Content Designed for You

The Institute for CSR was designed for the busy CSR business professional—and that is reflected in everything from the topics covered to the guest speakers featured. Ranging from ethics to sustainability, from measurement to communications—the Institute for CSR is designed to expose you to a comprehensive overview of CSR best practices.

And one reason for why you should submit your application ASAP?

Best Pricing on 2018 – Now until September 30

The time to register for the 2018 Institute is now! Prices will increase as we get closer to the start of the 2018 season. The Institute will help you be better and more impactful in your job. Make the commitment to your company and your professional development by submitting an application for the Institute today!

Tweet me:5 reasons to attend the 2018 Institute for #CSR and earn a Professional Certificate from Johns Hopkins University. https://goo.gl/mmqQb3

KEYWORDS: Events, Media & Communications, Johns Hopkins University, Institute for CSR, Corporate Responsibility, Corporate Citizenship, WRAG, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, USCCF, corporate contributions

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