SOURCE:Cone Communications

DESCRIPTION:

As consumers spend more time on their phones, many organizations have begun brainstorming ways to engage them to do good on these compact, yet powerful machines. UNICEF tapped into the “always connected” stigma and created the wildly successful Tap Project app, which garnered over 2.6 million users and raised $1.6 million for kids in need of safe drinking water. More recently, one brand has come up with an even simpler ask in order to harness the power of smartphones and conscious consumers to support a cause.

Vodafone Foundation has partnered with The Garvan Institute of Medical Research to launch the DreamLab smartphone app. The multinational telecommunications company is giving consumers a chance to help fast track cancer research...while they sleep. The call to action is simple: download the free app, begin charging your device, and, while you sleep, the app uses the collective processing capacity of smartphones to crunch numbers and compare genetic profiles of tumors. Users are able to choose which cancer research they wish to support -- breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic. Additionally, Vodafone has committed to waiving fees for the data on behalf of its five million prepaid and postpaid customers.

To continue reading, please click here.

Tweet me:.@VodafoneGroup harnesses cellphones to enable consumers to make a difference in cancer research while they sleep http://bit.ly/2gKtEYJ

KEYWORDS: Innovation & Technology, DreamLab, Vodafone, cancer research, Cone Communications

SOURCE:21st Century Fox

DESCRIPTION:

The National Geographic Society and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) have launched a new wildlife conservation program to protect lesser-known animal species at risk of extinction. The Nat Geo Photo Ark EDGE Fellowships will support on-the-ground efforts to save some of the creatures featured in the National Geographic Photo Ark, Joel Sartore’s ongoing project to photograph every animal species in human care. Fellows will train with National Geographic and ZSL on essential conservation skills, as well as storytelling strategies that will help raise awareness of the global extinction crisis. 21st Century Fox expanded its media partnership with the National Geographic Society in 2015, enhancing the organization's endowment and ensuring a portion of all future proceeds go toward the Society's scientific pursuits.

The first round of Fellowships will be awarded to candidates based in Latin America, and the five nominated candidates have already the chosen the species they will work work to save:

• Jamal Galves, Belize: Antillean Manatee, Trichechus manatus manatus (IUCN Red List: Endangered);
• Marina Rivero, Mexico: Baird’s Tapir, Tapirus bairdii (IUCN Red List: Endangered);
• Vinicius Alberici Roberto, Brazil: Giant Anteater, Myrmecophaga tridactyla (IUCN Red List: Vulnerable);
• Daniel Arauz, Costa Rica: Hawksbill Turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata (IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered); and
• Yaijaira Garcia Feria, Mexico: Volcano Rabbit, Romerolagus diazi (IUCN Red List: Endangered).

In January and February 2018, these five candidates will attend a four-week Conservation Tools training course in Costa Rica, where world-class National Geographic photographers, editors, and digital video producers will instruct them in effective storytelling techniques. They will also receive training from ZSL’s EDGE of Existence program on the necessary skills to undertake successful conservation projects. After the training, with ongoing support from the National Geographic Society and EDGE of Existence, the Fellows will embark on their two-year conservation projects.

The Fellowships represent an evolution of the Nat Geo Photo Ark’s efforts to protect the 12,000 animal species at zoos, aquariums, and wildlife rehab centers. Many of these species no longer exist in the wild and would have become extinct were it not for these human care centers. Satore’s photo project, which he estimates will take roughly 25 years to complete, serves to create a detailed record of animal life and inspire nature-lovers around the world to do their part in helping save these species.

"I've been a National Geographic photographer for 27 years, and I photographed the first 15 years or so out in the wild doing different conservation stories, on wolves, on grizzly bears, on koalas all in the wild — and can I say that moved the needle enough to stop the extinction crisis? No, no it did not," Sartore said in an interview earlier this year. "So I just figured maybe very simple portraits lit exquisitely so you can see the beauty and the color, looking animals directly in the eye with no distractions would be the way to do it."

Visit NatGeoPhotoArk.org for updates on the program as the candidates head into the field for their training course and begin developing their action plans. In 2018, the next cohort of Nat Geo Photo Ark EDGE Fellows will be selected from Asia.

Keep reading at impact.21CF.com. 

Tweet me:.@NatGeo Photo Ark EDGE Fellowships to train conservationists to protect species at risk of extinction http://bit.ly/2yV1eWJ @21CF_Impact

KEYWORDS: Environment, Education, 21st century fox, National Geographic, Zoological Society of London, nat geo photo ark, animals, Conservation, photography

Local nonprofit receives solar and energy efficiency upgrades to improve the lives of more Houstonians

SOURCE:Green Mountain Energy

DESCRIPTION:

HOUSTON, October 30, 2017 /3BL Media/ – Wesley Community Center is increasing its capacity to support more Houstonians with the help of a sustainability grant from the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club. The Sun Club selected Wesley to receive $150,000 for solar power, energy efficiency upgrades and resource conservation for its community center and food pantry facilities. Expected energy savings made possible by the sustainability improvements will have the potential to help Wesley provide an additional 6,000 meals each year.

“The Green Mountain Energy Sun Club is helping organizations that are making a real difference in our community to become more sustainable,” said Mark Parsons, president of Green Mountain Energy Sun Club. “Wesley Community Center focuses on strengthening local communities by directly supporting the people who live there. We’re proud to help them improve the lives of even more Houstonians.”

The sustainability grant from the Sun Club is funding a 12-kilowatt solar array, new high-efficiency air conditioning units and windows, LED lighting and spray foam insulation. Wesley’s community garden is also being equipped with a smart sprinkler system. The sustainability and energy efficiency upgrades will help reduce the nonprofit’s electricity and water usage, allowing the money saved to provide additional services for infants, children, adults and seniors seeking financial stability and a better life. 

“On behalf of the staff and clients of Wesley, I want to thank the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club for this generous gift in support of our mission,” said Linda Flores Olson, president and CEO of Wesley Community Center. “Not only will these improvements help us reduce our environmental footprint, every penny we save will go directly to helping the individuals and families we serve, allowing us to further strengthen families and build neighborhoods.”

Serving the Northside neighborhood of Houston, Wesley engages children, families and seniors with a comprehensive array of programs and services along the circle of life – from early childhood education and out-of-school elementary and youth development programming to senior and social services and emergency assistance. By empowering individuals, Wesley creates opportunities for them to help themselves.

The Sun Club also works to empower others through solar and sustainability projects. To date, more than $6.5 million has been donated to nearly 100 nonprofits in Texas and the Northeast. To learn more about the Sun Club and how to nominate a worthy nonprofit like Wesley for a sustainability grant, visit gmesunclub.org.

About Green Mountain Energy Sun Club

The Green Mountain Energy Sun Club is a nonprofit organization advancing sustainability for people and our planet by investing in communities in Texas and the Northeast. Since the program’s founding in 2002, the Sun Club^® has donated more than $6.5 million to nearly 100 nonprofit organizations. As a 501 (c)(3) organization, the Sun Club focuses on projects related to renewable energy, energy efficiency and resource conservation. Contributions to the Sun Club come from Green Mountain Energy’s residential customers in Texas, as well as from Green Mountain, its employees and other Sun Club supporters. To learn more about the Sun Club, please visit gmesunclub.org.

About Wesley Community Center

Since 1904, Wesley Community Center has been committed to improving the quality of life for the community it serves, providing an array of programs which include early childhood education, out-of-school elementary and youth programming, senior and social services, and economic development services dedicated to helping low-income families achieve and maintain financial self-sufficiency and move up the economic ladder.

###

Tweet me:.@WesleyCCHouston increases local impact in #Houston with $150,000 grant from @GreenMtnEnergy Sun Club http://bit.ly/2i8Wjav

Contact Info:

Megan Talley
Green Mountain Energy Sun Club
+1 (713) 537-5160
megan.talley@greenmountain.com

KEYWORDS: Environment, Energy, Wesley Community Center, green mountain energy sun club

SOURCE:Atlas Copco

DESCRIPTION:

PIURA, Peru, October 30, 2107 /3BL Media/ -- Atlas Copco has been commended by the Peruvian Government for helping communities recover from the devastating floods caused by the ‘Fenómeno del Niño’ storm. The Ministry of Labour of Peru recognised Atlas Copco’s efforts in the northern city of Piura at an awards ceremony for companies that provided immediate assistance in the wake of the natural disaster. The award grants Atlas Copco the distinctive denomination of S.O.S Company in Peru.

Heavy rains caused by so-called ‘Fenómeno del Niño’ left the North of Peru in an emergency situation, affecting almost 40,000 people. Atlas Copco supplied three different types of pumps (WEDA 70L 460V, ETP 50B and PAS 4 DDT-W220) to drain the flooded areas that were endangering public health. The work took place through an agreement signed by Colonel Jorge Uribe, Chief of the Army Heritage, and Stephen Cartwright, Atlas Copco’s Power Technique General Manager for the Latin America region.

The draining tasks were coordinated by Hidrostal, Atlas Copco’s distributor in the North of Peru, working very closely with Entidad Prestadora de Servicios de Saneamiento Grau (EPS Grau), a company responsible for the production and supply of portable water in the area. Following the signing of the agreement, Atlas Copco’s pumps began operating 24 hours a day.

“We are very grateful because the equipment offered by Atlas Copco has enabled proper work for the rehabilitation of the affected areas. The motor pump ETP 50B has been used in Las Gardenias, Santa Maria and Centro Urbano of Piura; while the submersible electric pump WEDA 70L has been used for damaged drains rehabilitation in the chamber of Miraflores and La Primavera,” said Roberto Sandoval, Manager of Operations and Maintenance EPS Grau.

Although the initial agreement allowed the pumps to be borrowed for 60 calendar days, the loan was later extended to 180 days due to the severity of the flooding and mudslides. This allowed workers to complete the restoration of affected areas of Piura.

“The Peruvian emergency situation demanded a quick response and we are delighted to have been able to reply with technology, technical knowledge and enthusiastic solidarity from our workers. Solidarity and social commitment are registered in our company’s heart, which allowed us to offer a prompt response to help Piura’s community to recover from such a devastated situation caused by a natural disaster. We are grateful to receive this recognition, which reaffirms our commitment to sustainable productivity,” explains Stephen Cartwright, Power Technique General Manager for the Latin America region. 

Media Enquiries:

Please contact:
Maria Alonso, Account Manager, Technical Publicity
Phone: +44 (0)1582 39098
Email: malonso@technical-publicity.com

Tweet me:.@AtlasCopcoGroup #Peru Wins Award for #PeruvianFlood Rescue Efforts http://bit.ly/2yXRkUs #DisasterRelief

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Awards, Ratings & Rankings, Atlas Copco, Peru, Peruvian Floods

SOURCE:FSG

DESCRIPTION:

The need and the opportunity to transition to a circular economy—an economic model that is restorative and regenerative by design—have become clear to many industries over the last 5 years. Companies like Apple and Google are innovating or redesigning their products and services to minimize resources utilized in production and to promote reuse and recycling of their products. The scale of these efforts, however, is often constrained by barriers in the supply chain and ecosystem. For example, creating a product that is more easily recycled will do little to reduce environmental impact in the absence of recycling infrastructure or consumer awareness. Without collaborative action across sectors and across supply chains, these nascent efforts will fail to meet their full potential.

The world already uses 1.5 planet’s worth of resources every year. By 2050, it is estimated there will be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans. These statistics are staggering, but the inertia of our current economic model has prevented the scale of action needed to forestall disaster. While our current economic model is wasteful, inefficient, and ecologically harmful, circular economy strategies emphasize reusing inputs, recouping value from product parts, and optimizing efficiency and waste reduction.

The need for a transition to the circular economy is urgent, and it also presents a tremendous business opportunity for companies that redesign products and services, reconfigure value chains, and engage in meaningful transformation of the systems in which they operate. The circular economy is projected to become a trillion dollar opportunity in the near future.

Moving Beyond Products and Services

To realize the business opportunity in circular economy, companies across the globe and across sectors are starting to invest in shared value strategies. Unilever has committed to producing 100 percent recyclable plastic packaging by 2025, and currently embeds 25 percent recycled material into its plastic packaging. Royal DSM has partnered with Dutch carpet company Niaga to produce carpets made entirely from recycled polyurethane bottles. Kroger converts food waste into renewable energy­­—the 150 tons of food waste the company produces each day at its Ralphs/Food 4 Less Compton distribution provides energy that powers a 49-acre campus. 

But product innovation only addresses one part of the problem. Companies operate in a complex system that does not support seamless development, use, reuse, and recycling of redesigned products. Companies that have launched ambitious targets to use more recycled content in their products are finding it difficult to source enough recycled material, according to Ellen Martin, who manages impact and reporting at Closed Loop Partners, “This material exists in the waste stream, but the current system does not efficiently process that material at the volumes and quality needed.”

Some companies are beginning to look at the systemic challenges, in addition to taking on product innovation. According to Jeff Wooster, Global Sustainability Leader at The Dow Chemical Company:

“Many of our products make plastics easier to recycle, but there are consumer awareness and infrastructure design challenges that can make recycling difficult. This is why we’re working to actively bridge the gap between sectors and develop a holistic approach to the circular economy while continuing to make an impact with our unique innovations.”

To make meaningful progress, companies need to better understand the full system and collaborate across the supply chain and across sectors. Companies pursuing circular economy strategies should seek out opportunities to connect with and learn from other organizations through platforms, like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Initiative. In addition, our work in this area suggests that companies need to consider 2 important questions:

What opportunities exist within companies’ product portfolios and value chains to adapt to the circular economy? Though many companies have started to pilot new products and services and redesign value chains, much more will need to be done across industries to fully transition to the circular economy. Companies need to assess their products and services through a circular economy lens and identify opportunities to innovate new business models to build competitiveness in an increasingly resource-constrained economy.

What role can companies play in strengthening disposal and recycling infrastructure? This challenge, an increasingly pressing global concern as more countries develop industrialized economies, constrains the effectiveness of products and services designed to fit into the circular economy. Companies need to map the system in a specific country, define their role, and develop a collaboration strategy since no single company or industry can take on the infrastructure challenge by themselves.

We will be exploring these areas over the coming months and welcome ideas from others on how companies can deepen collaboration to create more powerful pathways toward a circular economy.  

Learn more about FSG's shared value practice > 

Tweet me:Advancing the Circular Economy through #SharedValue http://ow.ly/fgHn30gbp6a via @FSGtweets #susty

KEYWORDS: Environment, Energy, circular economy, Recycling, supply chain management, supply chain

Donations from nearly 300 leading companies and their employees signify a shift to event-triggered giving

SOURCE:Benevity

DESCRIPTION:

Data from the Benevity client community shows a significant shift in charitable donation trends in 2016 and 2017, with human rights organizations taking top slots from long-standing leaders. This data comes from nearly 300 global companies representing more than $1 billion in donations to more than 100,000 charities worldwide.

Likely sparked by the current socio-political climate and by long-brewing changes in the way companies and their people look at giving back, the data points to a growing notion that today’s corporate giving landscape is at a tipping point. No longer merely about seeking a tax deduction or requiring dutiful participation in a company’s annual fundraising campaign, corporate “Goodness” is increasingly about companies allowing and often helping their people to take the lead on social impact initiatives and support the causes that matter to them personally. 

READ HOW THE U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND OTHER NOTABLE TRENDS WERE MAJOR CATALYSTS FOR THIS SHIFT IN GIVING.

Tweet me:Donations from nearly 300 companies and their employees signify a shift to event-triggered giving, via @benevity http://bit.ly/2gQdwsr

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Research, Reports & Publications, corporate giving, ACLU, benevity, Goodness

SOURCE:Tetra Pak

DESCRIPTION:

Our years of school feeding experience is helping to improve nutrition and, in turn, the educational outcomes, for school children in Bolivia.

The Challenge:
The World Food Programme reports that around 39% of the population lives below the poverty line, with levels of undernourishment the highest in South America (15.9%). For children under five, malnutrition stands at 18% and many children over five go to school on an empty stomach and struggle to concentrate simply because they are hungry.

Recognising that safe, quality food is key to learning and development, the government introduced official legislation in 2014 and the country's school feeding programme is now in established in 339 municipalities.

The Initiative:
Following the positive experiences of existing school feeding programmes in the North, Central and South Americas region, we took our expertise to Bolivia in 2016 where our customers started to supply fortified nectar in Tetra Brik® Aseptic 200ml packages to 47,000 primary school children in 83 schools.

The Value:
We worked together with the local food processing industry to improve the existing programme by advising on nutrition for improved health and access to safe food across more regions of Bolivia, as well as providing practical support to implement and evaluate the school feeding programme.

We are also working with municipalities by recommending best practices to track programme impact, comparing the results with schools not involved in the programme. This includes acceptability studies to understand what products and packaging are accepted by children. 

Our years of school feeding experience is helping to improve nutrition and, in turn, the educational outcomes, for school children in Bolivia.

The Challenge:
The World Food Programme reports that around 39% of the population lives below the poverty line, with levels of undernourishment the highest in South America (15.9%). For children under five, malnutrition stands at 18% and many children over five go to school on an empty stomach and struggle to concentrate simply because they are hungry.

Recognising that safe, quality food is key to learning and development, the government introduced official legislation in 2014 and the country's school feeding programme is now in established in 339 municipalities.

The Initiative:
Following the positive experiences of existing school feeding programmes in the North, Central and South Americas region, we took our expertise to Bolivia in 2016 where our customers started to supply fortified nectar in Tetra Brik® Aseptic 200ml packages to 47,000 primary school children in 83 schools.

The Value:
We worked together with the local food processing industry to improve the existing programme by advising on nutrition for improved health and access to safe food across more regions of Bolivia, as well as providing practical support to implement and evaluate the school feeding programme.

We are also working with municipalities by recommending best practices to track programme impact, comparing the results with schools not involved in the programme. This includes acceptability studies to understand what products and packaging are accepted by children. 

Read more on Sustainability @Tetra Pak 

Tweet me:.@TetraPak customers supply fortified nectar packages to 47,000 primary school children in 83 schools in Bolivia http://bit.ly/2yWPl2y

KEYWORDS: Responsible Business & Employee Engagement, Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Tetra Pak, school feeding programme, Bolivia, World Food Programme

By Vinny Vella, Hartford Courant

SOURCE:Whole Foods Market Foundations

DESCRIPTION:

Herb Virgo’s vision arrived on four wheels, painted a yellow as bright as the future he hopes it’ll bring to the North End.

A decommissioned school bus, a relic from the Springfield school district, sits behind the greenhouse operated by the Keney Park Sustainability Project, which Virgo directs. By Thanksgiving, the bus’ transformation will be complete, creating a mobile teaching kitchen, a roving oasis to bring relief to the food deserts of Hartford’s poorest neighborhoods.

Read the full article here.

Tweet me:In Keney Park, a 'Mobile Kitchen' Prepares to Roll Into Food Deserts via @hartfordcourant http://bit.ly/2grhtQT @WholeFoods

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Fighting Hunger, Whole Foods Market Foundations, Whole Cities Foundation

SOURCE:Wells Fargo & Company

DESCRIPTION:

Wells Fargo volunteer George Baskerville works with The Miracle® League of Richmond to bring baseball to kids with disabilities. (3:30)

Tweet me:.@WellsFargo volunteer George Baskerville brings baseball to kids with disabilities. http://tinyurl.com/ybtop8mo

KEYWORDS: Diversity & Inclusion, Reduced Inequalities, Wells Fargo, Disabilities

Smithfield Foods joined forces with local retailers as part of their Helping Hungry Homes® initiative

SOURCE:Smithfield Foods

DESCRIPTION:

“Like Smithfield, our mission is to fight hunger and feed hope,” said Katie Fitzgerald, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. “We are grateful for the significant donation from Smithfield and Homeland, which will allow us to fill the plates of those we serve with high-quality, protein-rich food, for many weeks to come.”

“Protein is a critical, high in-demand resource, with a scarcely low supply that has been amplified even more during our state’s disaster recovery,” said Dale Long, interim vice president of operations for the North Texas Food Bank. “We are tremendously grateful to Smithfield and WinCo for the donation, which will provide nutrient-rich protein to countless families and individuals across our service area during this time of immediate-need.”

The donations are part of Smithfield’s Helping Hungry Homes^® initiative, a program focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure. For more information about Smithfield Foods’ Helping Hungry Homes^® initiative and a list of upcoming donation events, visit helpinghungryhomes.com.

Read the press announcements: 

Smithfield Foods Partners With WinCo Foods to Donate 40,000 Pounds of Protein to North Texas Food Bank

Smithfield Foods Partners With Homeland Stores to Donate Nearly 40,000 Pounds of Protein to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma

Tweet me:.@SmithfieldFoods donated 80k pounds of protein part of #HelpingHungryHomes tour to help fight hunger across America http://bit.ly/2i7BBrm

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Homeland Stores, WinCo Foods, Helping Hungry Homes® initiative, Smithfield Foods, csr

SOURCE:Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

DESCRIPTION:

When a child is taken from an unsafe environment and placed in foster care, the clock is ticking to find them a safe home to stay in. Foster parents are required within days to be sure that the children placed with them are in school and taken to the doctor. Setting up these appointments and planning to care for a child takes time.

This year the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, in its annual Top 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplace rankings, also ranked employers who offer time off to those who take on the rewarding challenge of being a foster parent.

Companies offering this benefit include adidas, Facebook, Baylor University, The Coca-Cola Company, Time, Inc. and more. You can see the complete list here.

This year the Top 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplace List was topped by American Express, which moved up 30 spots on the list with its enhanced adoption benefits including financial reimbursement and paid time off for families who adopt.

To learn more about how you can make your workplace adoption friendly visit our website and download the digital toolkit.

If you’d like to be notified when the 2018 survey opens, please email info@davethomasfoundation.org

Tweet me:.@DTFA recognizes employers proving benefits to #fostercare parents. Is your company listed? http://bit.ly/2g541lJ #adoption #ItsWorthIt

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Dave Thomas, foster care, adoption, Recruiter, forever family, Wendy’s, Adidas, Facebook, Baylor University, The Coca-Cola Company, Time, Inc., American Express

SOURCE:3BL Media, LLC

DESCRIPTION:

While some companies are expanding their definitions of corporate social responsibility, others are doubling down on traditional philanthropic practices to make big impacts for good causes. 

Some recent examples include that of the Carnival Foundation, the charitable division of Carnival Corporation, which raised $338,500 for the American Cancer Society with its Relay for Life event. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has donated $64 million to the Sierra Club’s “Beyond Coal” campaign, bringing the total he has invested in environmental programs to over $100 million. And on November 29^th, the Major League Baseball Players Trust will host a pair of events. Major leaguers will build houses with Habitat for Humanity and assemble holiday gift packages for the 177 Houston Habitat for Humanity families who lost their homes to flooding, and also host a fund-raising dinner and auction for victims of all natural disasters across the Americas.

I’m John Howell for 3BL Media.

Tweet me:Traditional #philanthropy continues to make a big impact http://bit.ly/2gPodIn via @3BLMedia #CSRminute

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Environment, CSR Minute, carnival, Bloomberg, Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), 3bl Media

SOURCE:Cox Enterprises

DESCRIPTION:

Everyone working on the Chattahoochee today owes a debt of gratitude to the Friends of the River.  They are our heroes.

As The Trust for Public Land works to create parks and protect land for people, we have had the honor of working with heroes like the Friends of the River all across America.  And since 2008, we have partnered with Cox Enterprises to recognize these heroes – environmental volunteers who are creating and preserving outdoor spaces. The Cox Conserves Heroes highlights how the efforts of one individual can make a powerful difference in the communities where we live, work and play.  

Click here to read the complete article on Saporta Report. 

Tweet me:.@SaportaReport highlights @CoxEnterprises' #CoxConservesHeroes program in partnership with @tpl_org http://bit.ly/2yWXJiH

KEYWORDS: Social Impact & Volunteering, Environment, Cox Enterprises, Cox Conserves Heroes

Annual award to recognize philanthropic efforts by NASCAR industry members

SOURCE:Comcast Corporation

DESCRIPTION:

PHILADEPHIA, October 30, 2017 /3BL Media/ - Comcast announced today the finalists for the 2017 Comcast Community Champion of the Year Award, which was created to recognize the charitable efforts of individuals associated with the NASCAR industry. Comcast’s Xfinity brand has been the Official Entertainment Provider of NASCAR® and entitlement sponsor of the NASCAR XFINITY Series™ since 2015.

The 2017 finalists are:

• Jimmie Johnson, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series™ driver and founder of the Jimmie Johnson Foundation
• Brad Keselowski, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver and founder of the Checkered Flag Foundation
• Chip Ganassi Racing Pit Crew Department, a team that has invested in a number of philanthropic efforts in the local community led by pit crew coaches Shaun Peet and Mike Metcalf

"Comcast is committed to community investment and we are thrilled to utilize our NASCAR partnership to once again celebrate the true spirit of the individuals that make this sport what it is today," said Matt Lederer, Executive Director of Sports Marketing at Comcast. "The annual Comcast Community Champion of the Year Award has proven to be a great platform for us to uncover and honor the selfless heroes inside the NASCAR family we are so fortunate to be a part of."

This year’s winner will be selected by a panel comprised of Comcast and NASCAR executives, as well as former Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Petty, NASCAR.com reporter Holly Cain and 2016 Comcast Community Champion Wade Jackson. Comcast will award $60,000 on behalf of the overall winner to his designated charity, and $30,000 on behalf of the two remaining finalists’ selected charities. The 2017 winner will be announced on Thursday, Nov. 16 at the Loews Hotel in Miami as part of NASCAR Championship Weekend.

Wade Jackson, the 2016 Comcast Community Champion of the Year, was awarded $60,000 to help accelerate the growth of Camp LUCK (Lucky Unlimited Cardiac Kids), which provides children with heart disease a place to gather and have fun. The camp was inspired by Jackson’s son, Jacob, who suffered from a congenital heart defect and passed away at the age of 17 due to complications from open heart surgery.

"It has been a great honor to be recognized as a Comcast Community Champion of the Year, and my family and I couldn’t be more grateful for everything that Comcast has done for Camp LUCK since the nomination," Jackson commented. "I know first-hand what this award means to those who are fortunate enough to receive it, and I am honored to be a part of the award process."

Comcast has a long track record of community service, aiding in the advancement of local organizations, developing programs and partnerships, mobilizing resources to connect people and inspiring positive and substantive change. To learn more about the Comcast Community Champion of the Year award, please visit: ComcastCommunityChampion.com. 

2017 Comcast Community Champion of the Year finalists:

Jimmie Johnson (Charlotte, North Carolina) and his wife Chandra launched the Jimmie Johnson Foundation in 2006 to assist children, families and communities in need in the United States. Since 2009, the focus of the foundation has been funding K-12 public education, primarily through the foundation’s Champions Grant program. More than $5.3 Million in Champions Grants have been awarded to 119 school projects across California, Oklahoma and North Carolina. In addition, each year the foundation selects five charities that support K-12 public education to be featured on Johnson’s Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope, allowing them to receive a cash grant. The Jimmie Johnson Foundation provides an annual $48,000 grant to a select public or charter school in the United States each year as part of its Team Up For Technology program, an effort to bring the latest technology into K-12 schools. Since inception, the foundation has contributed more than $11 million to schools and organizations across the country. In addition to their work with public schools, they partner with the Make-A-Wish foundation every year to grant wishes to children with life-threatening conditions.

Brad Keselowski (Statesville, North Carolina) founded the Checkered Flag Foundation in 2010, which honors, supports and aids in the recovery of those who have sacrificed for their country through multiple programs and partners around the United States. As part of the organization’s efforts, NASCAR fans around the country donated to place a veteran’s name on Keselowski’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series car during the November Phoenix race weekend in remembrance of Veterans Day. The foundation also donated money to the National Military Family Association to cover their Operation Purple Healing Adventure, a camp designed to prepare wounded veterans and their families for life after recovery. Keselowski recently hosted the inaugural Huntsman Shootout, an event which raised funds to support the building of a Fisher House location in Keselowski’s home state of Michigan, providing families of wounded soldiers with comfortable accommodations during their treatment. Finally, the driver has partnered with North Carolina’s Dr. Matt Lineberger to offer free orthodontic care to a veteran each time Keselowski wins a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race. Following each victory, Keselowski carries the American Flag during his burnout to honor those who have sacrificed.

The Chip Ganassi Racing Pit Crew Department (Concord, North Carolina) has worked closely as a group to make a lasting, positive impact in the local community under the leadership of pit crew coaches Shaun Peet and Mike Metcalf. Once a month, the entire department gathers to participate in an offsite philanthropic event benefitting the community. Charities they've worked with over the years include Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte, Charlotte Rescue Mission, Camp Care and Barium Springs Home for the Children. Activities range from cooking and serving meals, clothing drives, disaster relief cleanup, building cleanup and restoration, and trail building. The department has also led a yearly bicycle drive called the "Race to the North Pole," which in 2016 donated more than 150 children’s bicycles to the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte. They've also given back to the NASCAR community in times of great need; following the unexpected passing of No. 42 NASCAR XFINITY Series car chief Ryan Shea in March 2016, the Pit Crew Department not only collected Christmas gifts for his wife and two kids, but also helped with tasks around their home to provide care and support during a difficult time.

Tweet me:Finalists announced for 2017 @NASCAR #ComcastCommunityChamp Awards http://bit.ly/2gOpX4k

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Awards, Ratings & Rankings, comcast, Comcast Community Champion of the Year Award, NASCAR, Jimmie Johnson, Brad Keselowski, Chip Ganassi Racing Pit Crew Department, Xfinity

Gildan Gastro Bazar showcases family businesses run by our employees

SOURCE:Gildan Activewear

DESCRIPTION:

Gildan’s Gastro Bazar showcased the flourishing businesses of over 23 Gildan employees;   entrepreneurs who have built and managed their own businesses outside of their work at Gildan. Over 700 employees attended the event, generating great exposure and creating potential customers for these growing businesses. Entry proceeds from the event were donated towards rehabilitation of a colleague injured in a car accident. Watch the video to learn just what they do.

Tweet me:Meet Gildan's employee entrepreneurs that have flourishing businesses outside of work #LifeatGildan http://bit.ly/2ia2BXn

KEYWORDS: Responsible Business & Employee Engagement, Employee Resource Group, Gildan Activewear, entrepreneurs

By 826 National

SOURCE:AT&T

DESCRIPTION:

Tweet me:.@ConnectToGood "New Resource for Educators Helps Kids Everywhere Advocate for Infinite Recess" #ATTimpact http://soc.att.com/2A2yfhB

KEYWORDS: Education, Digital Literacy, AT&T, 826 Digital, students, Teachers, Connect to Good

Subaru of America attempts to save fur babies everywhere.

SOURCE:Subaru of America

DESCRIPTION:

Based on its television commercials, you may have probably noticed that Subaru has a soft spot for animals.  Recently there is a commercial with a couple who begins dating and the dog does not approve of the guy until the doggy sees that the guy respects his owner. That Subaru animal soft spot continues with Subaru's "Subaru Loves Pets" initiative. 

With help from the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and BARK throughout the month of October, participating Subaru retailers will host pet supply drives for animals living in shelters. Subaru and dealerships will be providing "Subaru Loves Pets Shelter Supply Kits" to the shelters with the help of BARK, makers of the BarkBox pet-themed subscription service. Inside these kits will be chew toys, reuseable water and food bowls, leashes and of course treats for the animals. For new pet-adopting families, Subaru will also be providing "new pet parent kits."

Not only is Subaru hosting pet supply drives and donating shelter and new parent kits. It will also be hosting fee-waived pet adoption events at some Subaru dealerships. The adoption events are made possible by a grant from ASPCA. If you want to find out if your local Subaru dealership is participating visit: www.aspca.org/SubaruLovesPets.

"Subaru Loves Pets is our way of returning the love that our pets show us every day," said Tom Doll, President and COO of Subaru of America. "We are very happy to partner with the ASPCA and many local animal welfare groups, to help improve the health and wellbeing of animals across the country, and help them to find safe and loving homes."

If you donate pet items at participating Subaru dealerships during the Subaru Loves Pets initiative you can receive a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek plush pet toy and/or a Subaru Loves Pets bandana. 

Get out there and donate and adopt to help Subaru save the fur babies everywhere.

Continue reading on The Drive.com 

Tweet me:.@Subaru_USA attempts to save fur babies everywhere http://bit.ly/2gQMbCW #SubaruLovesPets

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Media & Communications, subaru, pets

SOURCE:USCCF Corporate Citizenship Center

DESCRIPTION:

Only two weeks remain until the 2017 Corporate Citizenship Conference! Roll up your sleeves in collaborative working sessions, have unparalleled networking opportunities, and hear from the best in corporate citizenship. Learn more here.

Join us on November 14-15 for this year's annual Corporate Citizenship Conference: Opportunity Forward and convene with the greatest leaders in corporate citizenship. Businesses attending include:

• American Express
• BP America
• Cisco
• Discovery Education
• EY
• Hilton Worldwide
• IBM Corporation
• Johnson & Johnson
• JPMorgan Chase & Co.
• Microsoft Philanthropies
• PwC
• Walmart Stores, Inc.
• WeWork
• And many more! 

Learn how the business community—together with their partners—are taking action and creating solutions today that build greater opportunities and prosperity for all.  

Time is running out - click here to register for the 2017 Corporate Citizenship Conference today!

Tweet me:Only 2 weeks left until #USCCFopportunity! Don’t miss your chance to convene with the best in corporate citizenship. https://goo.gl/nxcxWH

KEYWORDS: Events, Media & Communications, Diversity & Inclusion, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Corporate Citizenship Center, networking

Funds to be used across six cities to accelerate economic opportunity and address challenges ranging from unemployment to small business development to energy efficiency

SOURCE:Citi

DESCRIPTION:

NEW YORK, November 1, 2017 /3BL Media/ —The Citi Foundation today announced an expansion of its Community Progress Makers Fund, through an investment of an additional $20 million in leading nonprofit organizations across six U.S. cities. The Community Progress Makers Fund provides unrestricted grant funding to nonprofit organizations working to tackle longstanding urban economic challenges for low-income households and communities – from unemployment to small business development to energy efficiency. Organizations serving Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, San Francisco Bay Area and Washington, D.C., may apply for grants up to $500,000 through the open Request for Applications. The deadline is December 18, 2017.

Launched in 2015, the Community Progress Makers Fund builds upon the Citi Foundation’s commitment to supporting local solutions and organizations that are helping build stronger, more resilient cities that catalyze economic opportunity for all their residents.

The impact of providing core operating support to community organizations has already been felt. In San Francisco, the Mission Economic Development Agency has achieved its goal of preserving and producing 1,000 affordable housing units three years ahead of schedule. In Chicago, Elevate Energy saved low-income households over $7 million through energy efficiency services, in the last two years. To date, the 40 Community Progress Maker organizations have:

• Helped more than 14,700 low-income people secure financial assets;
• Built over 10,500 affordable housing units;
• Strengthened more than 1,100 small businesses; and
• Connected 1,800 young people to jobs in their communities.

“Community Progress Makers are just getting started,” said Brandee McHale, President of the Citi Foundation. “We are proud of not only their measurable impact, but also the fresh approaches they have taken on tough issues, the new partnerships they have formed, and how they have utilized the funding flexibility to pivot their strategies. We are thrilled to build on the momentum we’ve gained over the past two years and provide more organizations with the chance to scale their impact and change the lives of people in their communities.”

“It has been so meaningful to partner with the Citi Foundation,” says Emily Gresham, Assistant Vice President for Research and Economic Development at Florida International University and cofounder of StartUP FIU FOOD, a 2016-2017 Community Progress Maker. “The operational support has been about entrusting us with the responsibility of being good stewards of grant dollars—and that’s empowering. The Citi Foundation has been flexible, understanding that progress is not always linear and providing the much needed structure to bring about the change we are seeking to create.”

“The Urban Institute’s research on effective philanthropy shows that flexible, multi-year investment – of the kind Citi Foundation is providing these local nonprofits – can be a catalyst for innovation,” said Sarah Rosen Wartell, President of the Urban Institute. “Working with the Community Progress Makers, we see that they are using the Citi Foundation support to build important capacities for data, measurement, evaluation, and ultimately greater impact.”

Along with core operating support, grantees will have access to technical assistance from leading national researchers and experts on topics such as data-driven decision-making and movement-building.  Additionally, Fund recipients will participate in convening opportunities with other grantees to share and learn best practices.

The deadline to apply is December 18, 2017 at 4:00PM EST. Informational webinars will be held on November 7, 2017, November 9, 2017, and November 16, 2017. Grant recipients will be in announced in early 2018. For more information on the Community Progress Makers Fund and to apply, please visit: citifoundation.com.

About the Citi Foundation

The Citi Foundation works to promote economic progress and improve the lives of people in low-income communities around the world. We invest in efforts that increase financial inclusion, catalyze job opportunities for youth, and reimagine approaches to building economically vibrant cities. The Citi Foundation's "More than Philanthropy" approach leverages the enormous expertise of Citi and its people to fulfill our mission and drive thought leadership and innovation. For more information, visit www.citifoundation.com.

Contacts
Media

Elizabeth Kelly, 212-559-2477
elizabeth.kelly@citi.com

Questions regarding grant application:
citifoundationcpm@citi.com

Tweet me:The #Citi Fdn expands Community #ProgressMakers Fund to support US nonprofit orgs addressing urban challenges http://bit.ly/2z1ulHW

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, Corporate Contributions, Citi, Citi Foundation, Community Progress Makers Fund

SOURCE:GRI

DESCRIPTION:

The French-based e-payment services company Wordline started sustainability reporting in 2014, using the GRI G4 Guidelines, and is now one of the pioneers to publish a GRI Standards report. We talked to Sébastien Mandron, Corporate Social Responsibility Officer at Worldline, about how sustainability reporting helps the company enhance trust with its stakeholders. ​

Sébastien Mandron: Sustainability reporting enables Worldline to monitor and therefore improve its extra-financial performance, by giving an overview not only of the current information we report but also of our action plans and their results. For us, sustainability reporting represents the bridge between our financial and extra-financial strategy.
 
What role does sustainability reporting play in how Worldline conducts business?

Sustainability reporting is a virtuous circle. On the one hand, it improves our credibility with target audiences, raises awareness among employees and stimulates actions in favor of CSR. For instance, by reporting greenhouse gas emissions and related information, we have set up action plans to reduce the environmental impacts of our buildings and data centers.

On the other hand, reporting helps us to better monitor our objectives about value creation for our clients, by producing sustainable products and services. Encouraged by the KPI “sustainable revenue generated”, Worldline strives to develop sustainable initiatives, such as the Donation Box contactless payment solution, or the Voice-over POS terminal, which aims to ease the payment process for disabled people – an idea proposed directly by our employees.
 
How has Worldline benefited from reporting using the GRI framework and being a member of the GOLD Community?

Thanks to the GRI framework, we have the tools to define what is material for us in terms of extra-financial topics, and thus to define our corporate social strategy and deliver an overview of our performance. Following the GRI framework means that Worldline can provide extensive environmental, social and governance data, facilitating the identification of key information and decision-making among our stakeholders. As a member of the GRI GOLD Community, Worldline demonstrates its support for GRI's mission of empowering decision-makers everywhere. The membership also helps us capture key information, especially regarding the implementation of the new GRI Standards, and provides special support in our transition and implementation of the GRI Standards. This is made possible through GRI’s multi-stakeholder network, which keeps us up to speed on the latest trends in extra-financial reporting and best practices.

What are the material sustainability topics for Worldline and how is the company using reporting to address negative impacts?

Worldline’s materiality is defined based on the GRI Standards and business-specific topics. These include Economic Performance, Market Presence, Indirect Economic Impacts, Procurement Practices, Energy, Emissions, Training and Education, Employment and Diversity and Equal Opportunities, among others. These material topics were also the basis of our TRUST 2020 program. For instance, on the material topic ¨Training and Education¨, Worldline has engaged its staff, resulting in 90% employee satisfaction rating for trainings. On the material topic ¨Employment and Diversity¨, Worldline is committed to eliminating its gender gap in managerial positions by 2020. Finally, with ¨Indirect Economic Impacts¨ Worldline has committed to increasing revenue and creating value for its clients through innovative and sustainable solutions.

The GRI Standards also help us identify and quantify the actual negative impacts that we have on the environment, for example. Based on this, we have launched various action plans to address these impacts, including a program to offset carbon emissions.

Worldline is vocal about the importance of maintaining stakeholder trust. How does sustainability reporting help Worldline do this?

For Worldline, our materiality analysis and the resulting sustainability report are the basis for creating a strong stakeholder dialogue. Worldline’s approach towards stakeholder dialogue is developed in conformity with the principles of inclusivity, materiality and responsiveness as defined in the AA1000 standard by AccountAbility.

Within Worldline’s business context, data protection and service availability represent a critical point for stakeholders, and sustainability reporting helps us share detailed information on the challenge of building client trust with fully available and secured platforms. Finally, reporting provides stakeholders with transparency, comparability, timeliness, reliability and clarity of information. Therefore, GRI Standards help enhance trust.

As part of the TRUST 2020 initiative, Worldline has committed to offsetting all CO2 emissions by 2020. How do you plan to do this and what role do the GRI Standards play in helping you accomplish this goal?

One of Worldline’s main ambitions of its program TRUST 2020 is to offset 100% of the CO2 emissions linked to the production of its payment terminals, data centers, offices and business travels. Already in 2016, all CO2 emissions linked to our payment terminals and data centers have been offset. This is possible thanks to the carbon offset program launched in 2012, allowing us to declare that Worldline provides carbon neutral services due to our renewable energy investment in India. The GRI Standards provide Worldline with a dashboard, delivering a clear evolution on emissions, energy consumption and energies used for production. It is a crucial tool that allows us to have a full overview on our environmental performance and on the key areas we need to focus on.

With the GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards, companies are able to unlock the transformative power of transparency, while contributing to the common sustainability agenda and reaping the benefits of increased stakeholder trust. Visit the GRI 20th Anniversary hub for more impact stories, and join the effort to create a sustainable global economy.

Tweet me:On this week's @GRI_Secretariat impact story: #Sustainability #reporting creates a virtuous circle @WorldlineGlobal: http://bit.ly/2ih4bqv

KEYWORDS: Research, Reports & Publications, Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, global reporting initiative, GRI Standards