SOURCE:Major League Baseball Players Trust

DESCRIPTION:

Curtis Granderson, who this week was presented with the Marvin Miller Man of the Year by his peers as part of the 25^th annual Players Choice Awards, had no sooner left the MLB Network studio from which the awards show was broadcast before returning to his mission of ending food insecurity in impoverished neighborhoods.

It was the middle of November, after all, and his month-long Grand Giving hunger relief campaign was in full swing in his hometown of Chicago and his adopted home of New York City. He had people to see and hungry kids to feed.

Grand Giving, in its third year, has become an increasingly important component in the array of charitable programs the veteran baseball star administers through the Grand Kids Foundation he began nine years ago... Continue Reading 

Watch Curtis accept the Marvin Miller Man of the Year award on MLB Network!

Tweet me:.@MLB_Players #MarvinMiller #ManoftheYear @cgrand3 trying to knock hunger out of the park http://bit.ly/2fG3eZq

KEYWORDS: Awards & Recognition, Health, Curtis Granderson, Marvin Miller, Marvin Miller Man of the Year, Players Choice Awards, Hunger, Children, Grand Giving, New York Mets

SOURCE:21st Century Fox

DESCRIPTION:

Editor's note: The following was written by NGP Associate Producer Amber Seyler, who recently attended National Geographic's Photo Camp in Shenandoah National Park.

I first learned about National Geographic's Photo Camp when I was compiling footage for a year-end impact video for the Society. I began asking around and discovered that a Photo Camp was going to take place with youth from Baltimore in Shenandoah National Park and would involve Nat Geo photographers John Stanmeyer and Amy Toensing. Little did I know that this simple footage search would turn into one of the most profound experiences of my life.

National Geographic partners with VisionWorkshops' Kirsten Elstner to help run the Photo Camp program. Kirsten alone was an inspiration. Since the program's inception, the goal has been to bring the power of photography to young people in populations whose stories were dramatically underrepresented in the media and arts, and to give them the skills to have ownership of their own stories.

Baltimore's Refugee Youth Project helped identify 18 young refugees to participate in Photo Camp Shenandoah. The students came from 10 different countries and ranged in age from 14 to 19 years old. Some were very new to the United States, some had been here for years, but they all had a story.

Their assignment for Photo Camp was to work with a partner, to find out their story, and to tell that story through photography. This assignment involved a lot of questions, a lot of photos, and most of all, a lot of trust. Often times these kids were opening up to someone from a country that they either had no experience with, or possibly even had a previous cultural bias against. But my goodness, did these kids create the most amazing bonds! The act of discussing their lives, almost always with harrowing and/or tragic details, was just one aspect of how they created unbreakable bonds, but the portraits they took of each other required another level of trust.

Personally, I witnessed two students who were struggling to understand each other have their walls completely dissolve as Amy Toensing guided them through a portrait session. Having to become vulnerable to one another as the portrait subject, and then to capture the essence of the other's personality as the photographer, suddenly turned antagonists into allies. It was a very emotional thing to witness.

As a videographer I usually find myself being a "fly on the wall", trying to have as low a profile as possible in order to get good, candid footage of people. And often times, seeing everything through a lens creates a certain detachment from what is going on in front of you. It took no time at all for these kids to break that barrier and make detachment impossible. These kids were tough, smart, funny, curious, and they surprised me over and over again with their ability to absorb and process information and turn it into stunningly beautiful photos.

Yes, these kids learned photography, and yes, they learned it from amazingly talented (and famous) National Geographic photographers John Stanmeyer and Amy Toensing (with an assist from Ronan Donavan), but National Geographic's Photo Camp extends far beyond learning how to use a camera. These kids now have ownership of their own stories, and no longer have to rely on others to capture it and tell it for them. They can represent themselves, their families, their communities and their native countries. Each and every one of them has an amazing story to tell, with big hopes and big dreams. What did I learn? The young people in each Photo Camp community have something important to share with the world. We just need to have the courage to look and to listen.

Tweet me:Shenandoah Students from Baltimore's Refugee Youth Project Learn to Tell Their Story Through Photography http://bit.ly/2eM91eH

KEYWORDS: Education, Diversity & Human Resources, National Geographic, national geographic channel, Shenandoah National Park, John Stanmeyer, Amy Toensing, VisionWorkshops, Kirsten Elstner, Photo Camp, Refugee Youth Project, Ronan Donovan

SOURCE:Bloomberg

DESCRIPTION:

Originally posted on Washington Post

Self-driving cars are coming. Whether it's Tesla's Model 3or Uber's automated ride-hailing service, many cities will probably start seeing these vehicles on the road in just a few years.

But some may not be ready for the change. How cities maintain their roads, train their workers, design their institutions and even plan their use of land might need to change dramatically as vehicle automation becomes more widespread. So to help give them a jump-start, former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to develop a set of policy recommendations for cities that are just waking up to the driverless revolution.

Five cities will serve as testing grounds and early participants in the conversation: Austin, Los Angeles and Nashville in the United States, as well as Buenos Aires and Paris. Five additional cities will be named by year's end.

"The advent of autonomous cars is one of the most exciting developments ever to happen to cities," Bloomberg said. "And if mayors collaborate with one another, and with partners in the private sector, they can improve people’s lives in ways we can only imagine today."

Click here to read more

Tweet me:Michael Bloomberg’s plan to get cities ready for self-driving cars http://bit.ly/2foQZg6

KEYWORDS: Technology, Philanthropy, self-driving cars, People, cities, c40, mayors, compact of mayors, Tesla, Uber, vehicles, driving, future, the future is here, New York, Maryland, Aspen Institute

SOURCE:Wells Fargo & Company

DESCRIPTION:

SAN FRANCISCO, November 11, 2016 /3BL Media/ – Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) has donated more than $70 million over four years in support of military servicemembers, veterans and their families through housing initiatives, career transition programs, financial education, foundation donations, and event sponsorships.  2016 highlights include grants to improve homeless veteran housing, strategic support for veteran-founded startup companies, hiring veterans for internships within Wells Fargo Securities, and support for nonprofit programs that improve the lives of veterans with disabilities.

“I’m proud of Wells Fargo’s continued investment in so many great military and veterans’ initiatives across the company,” said Jerry Quinn, Wells Fargo Military & Veteran Programs manager. “These men and women served our country. It’s important for us to give back where it’s needed most, such as housing, hiring and financial education.”

Since establishing the Military Affairs Program in 2012, Wells Fargo has:

• Donated more than 300 homes, valued at over $50 million, to veterans in all 50 states.

• Hired more than 6,300 veterans, and participated in more than 850 military job fairs.

• Launched Hands on Banking^® for Military, an online financial education program that has been viewed by more than 300,000 since July 2013.

• Donated more than $20 million to military- and veteran-related nonprofits.

Wells Fargo has been helping military members and veterans succeed financially for more than 164 years. 2016 highlights include:

Housing

Wells Fargo recently launched its VeteranWINS^SM grant program aimed at capital improvement and renovation work to support homeless veteran housing and low-to-moderate income veteran residential rehabilitation. Grants totaling $100,000 will be awarded on November 15. 

Wells Fargo donated $55,000 to American Family Housing to help develop Potters Lane, a housing community for chronically homeless veterans built with recycled shipping containers that serves as a model for the nation.

Career Transition

Wells Fargo will collaborate with two veteran-founded startup companies in our innovation lab. The two cybersecurity companies, ID.me and Efflux Systems, were recently selected from a Veterans Startup Pitch event on Oct. 18 in San Francisco, which Wells Fargo sponsored in conjunction with Bunker Labs and VetsinTech. The companies will receive resources, such as support, talent, meeting space, and mentoring from Bunker Labs and VetsinTech.

Wells Fargo launched its Veteran Employment Transition (VET) Program focused on sourcing and hiring competitive transitioning veterans for internships within Wells Fargo Securities, the company’s investment banking and capital markets division. Ten interns were selected to participate in the program and nine were hired for employment. The program’s first year success led to an expansion to other banking divisions and a class of more than 50 interns in 2017.  Please visit http://myfuture.wf.com/veteran) for more information. 

For the third consecutive year, Wells Fargo sponsored Warriors to Summits. Offered by No Barriers Warriors, Warriors to Summits is a nonprofit program that improves the lives of veterans with disabilities through curriculum-based learning in challenging environments. Warriors to Summits experiences serve as an opportunity for growth and a catalyst for change, as warriors stretch boundaries, build teams, innovate through adversity and step up to lead and serve others. Learn more about the 2016 expeditions and the veterans who participated at http://www.warriorstosummits.org/meetthewarriors/.

Financial Education

Wells Fargo renewed its commitment to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling^® (NFCC) with a $1 million donation, totaling $3.5 million over the past three years, to help support the nonprofit’s Sharpen Your Financial Focus^® (Sharpen) initiative. Through the Sharpen initiative, which features the Hands on Banking for Military program, consumers are able to address financial challenges and opportunities, and set a path toward financial goals through targeted education and counseling. To date, more than 15,000 military servicemembers have strengthened their financial capability through the initiative.

Learn more about Wells Fargo’s commitment to military servicemembers, veterans and their families at www.wellsfargo.com/military.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.9 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 8,600 locations, 13,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 42 countries and territories to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 269,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 27 on Fortune’s 2016 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. In 2015, Wells Fargo donated $281.3 million to 16,300 nonprofits, ranking No. 3 on the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s rankings of the top corporate cash philanthropists. Wells Fargo team members volunteered 1.86 million hours in 2015, serving more than 40,000 nonprofits. Wells Fargo’s corporate social responsibility efforts are focused on three priorities: economic empowerment in underserved communities, environmental sustainability, and advancing diversity and social inclusion. News, insights and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.

Tweet me:.@WellsFargo’s Support of Military Servicemembers and Veterans Passes $70 million http://bit.ly/2eOaroV

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy, Diversity & Human Resources, Wells Fargo

SOURCE:Sappi North America

DESCRIPTION:

Another winner of this year’s Ideas that Matter grant is The Center for Design in the Public Interest (DiPi) at the University of California, Davis. They worked with Hill Country Health and Wellness to create a 5-component toolkit that will improve patient/provider communication about chronic pain treatment options by empowering a shared decision-making process.

To learn more about The Pain Project, please visit: http://bit.ly/2esQ9Qt

To learn more about Sappi North America's Ideas that Matter program, please visit: http://bit.ly/1jm9Vfc

Tweet me:.@SappiNA #IdeasthatMatter winner @UCDavisDesign is helping those suffering from chronic pain: http://bit.ly/2fhxKFl

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy, Volunteerism & Community Engagement, Ideas that Matter, The Pain Project, Sappi, paper, print, Graphic Design

By Joe Montgomery, founder of Operation Honor

SOURCE:AT&T

DESCRIPTION:

The U.S. military has long understood the importance of how science, engineering, technology and math (STEM) play in any successful mission. Members of the military are skilled in STEM, and companies are taking note by recognizing the invaluable skills that military veterans bring to these professions.

We at Operation Honor believe that America’s military veterans are both critical to our nation’s workforce and can play an important role in getting the next generation of employees engaged and interested in STEM. That’s why we created Veterans Engaged Teaching Students (VETS), a mobile education program that connects veterans to teaching and mentoring opportunities with students who show an interest in STEM. By working collaboratively with engineers and school administrators at Owen County High School in Kentucky, we will train veterans to mentor underserved students in rural communities through this curriculum.

Recently, VETS was selected to participate in the Congressional Medal of Honor Character Development Program, allowing us to integrate the important principles of the Medal of Honor — including courage, sacrifice, patriotism, citizenship, integrity and commitment — into our curriculum. So in addition to in-demand STEM skills, VETS students also have the opportunity to develop the values that make for dedicated, engaged Americans.

Thanks to support from AT&T, Operation Honor will now be able to train and compensate the veteran mentors who are the backbone of the VETS program. We’ll also be able to upgrade equipment that will give students the hands-on learning opportunities they need to power their career skills.

Additionally, this Veterans Day, local employees from AT&T will have the opportunity to #ThankOurHeroes by joining Operation Honor in presenting burial flag cases built by disabled veterans at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. We are proud to collaborate with AT&T on programs like these which enhance the lives of veterans while unlocking the potential of our younger generations.

To learn more about Operation Honor and how you can help, visit www.operationhonor.org.

To hear more about what AT&T is doing this Veteran’s Day, click here. 

Tweet me:.@ConnectToGood "Our Veterans: Supporting the Next Generation of STEM Leaders" http://soc.att.com/2ePxhfX @ #ATTimpact

KEYWORDS: Technology, Education, AT&T, STEM, Veteran’s Day, Joe Montgomery, Operation Honor, Congressional Medal of Honor, vets, Kentucky, #ThankOurHeroes, career skills

SOURCE:Alliance Data

DESCRIPTION:

November 11, 2016 /3BL Media/ - Alliance Data Systems Corporation (NYSE: ADS), a leading global provider of data-driven marketing and loyalty solutions has been selected as the first-place recipient of Ragan’s PR Daily 2016 Social Corporate Responsibility Awards in the report category. The award recognized Alliance Data’s annual corporate responsibility report, which encompasses activities across the corporation, including its headquarters and three lines of business – Alliance Data’s card services business, Epsilon and LoyaltyOne. Download a copy of the full report.

Ragan’s PR Daily described the report as “gorgeous in its execution and designed to make understanding Alliance Data’s approach to CSR easy: Each of the four focused sections includes a definition of its responsibility, critical metrics, and a detailed table outlining the organization’s three-year goals against cumulative progress and current year accomplishments.”

In approaching its CSR responsibilities, Alliance Data continues to place an emphasis in the following four areas of focus, which are highlighted in the report with a discussion of goals, progress and accomplishments for each area:

• Data– Be a leader in the secure and responsible use of consumer data.
• People – Create a workplace where associates can grow and contribute to the success of the company.
• Community– Protect and nurture the vitality of our communities by investing in programs that demonstrate a measurable impact.
• Environment– Respect the impact that our operations have on the environment and strive to measurably reduce our carbon footprint through operational efficiencies and engaging our associates.

According to Dana Beckman, Director of Corporate Affairs, "We are honored to have been selected as a winner of PR Daily’s 2016 Social Corporate Responsibility Awards. As corporate responsibility at Alliance Data evolves, this award is further impetus to continue that evolution and elevate the transparency of our efforts and the rigor in which we vet the data we report.”

About Alliance Data
Alliance Data^® (NYSE: ADS) is a leading global provider of data-driven marketing and loyalty solutions serving large, consumer-based industries. The Company creates and deploys customized solutions, enhancing the critical customer marketing experience; the result is measurably changing consumer behavior while driving business growth and profitability for some of today's most recognizable brands. Alliance Data helps its clients create and increase customer loyalty through solutions that engage millions of customers each day across multiple touch points using traditional, digital, mobile and emerging technologies. An S&P 500 and Fortune 500 company headquartered in Plano, Texas, Alliance Data consists of three businesses that together employ more than 16,000 associates at approximately 100 locations worldwide.

Alliance Data’s Card Services business is a leading provider of marketing-driven branded credit card programs. Epsilon^® is a leading provider of multichannel, data-driven technologies and marketing services, and also includes Conversant^®, a leader in personalized digital marketing. LoyaltyOne^® owns and operates the AIR MILES^® Reward Program, Canada's premier coalition loyalty program, and Netherlands-based BrandLoyalty, a global provider of tailor-made loyalty programs for grocers.

Follow Alliance Data on Twitter,Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Tweet me:.@AllianceData’s #CRreport brings home gold. See why here: http://bit.ly/2eNVjbp #allforgood

Contact Info:

Danielle Ricketts
+1 (214) 494-3782
danielle.ricketts@alliancedata.com

KEYWORDS: Awards & Recognition, Environment & Climate Change, Alliance Data, Epsilon, GHG, CDP, corporate responsibility reporting, Transparency, data for good, All for Good, LoyaltyOne

By: Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International

SOURCE:MGM Resorts International

DESCRIPTION:

I recently had the opportunity to visit the site in Maryland of the U.S. Civil War’s heaviest one-day battle. The Battle of Antietam was a turning point in so many ways for our, at the time, young nation. The visit was timely in the context of this election year, and the transfer of power that is now under way following this week’s election.

The Battle of Antietam was significant for the Union. With its victory, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Today, Antietam is a place of solemn reflection for the 1.1 million wounded and the loss of 620,000 in the Civil War.

Only 56 years later in 1919, at the conclusion of World War I, the nations in “the war to end all wars” came together to globally mark Armistice Day on the 11th day of the 11th month. In 1954, November 11th of each year became known as Veterans Day

Click here to continue reading.

Tweet me:.@MGMResortsIntl CEO Jim Murren discusses the importance of honoring veterans all year round: http://bit.ly/2fIYdeR

KEYWORDS: Diversity & Human Resources, Media & Communications, Jim Murren, MGM Resorts, veterans day, Veterans, military, MGM, MGMThink

SOURCE:Major League Baseball Players Trust

DESCRIPTION:

The first Action Team conference call of the 2016-17 school-year was held on Wednesday, October 26.  Jon Jay, center fielder for the San Diego Padres, joined Action Team Captains for a conversation about inspiring change in communities across the United States through community service.

Sarah and Kyra, Action Team Captains from West Deptford (NJ) High School, were also featured on the call. The West Deptford Action Team recently participated in the first regional service project of the year, which was held in Philadelphia in mid-September.

The hour-long conference call gave Action Team Captains the opportunity to seek Jon Jay’s advice on community service, time management and teamwork.

“I challenge you guys to not be shy,” Jay encouraged the Action Team Captains. “Jump into things and go help!”

Jay, who holds a bowling tournament fundraiser each offseason, shared advice on how to begin planning a service project.

“Make a goal and plan,” Jay suggested. “I make a list of everything I need to do. It all comes down to time management.”

The Action Team Captains on the call had the opportunity to ask Jay questions during the question-and-answer portion of the conference call.

Hashaam S., from King HS in Tampa, asked Jay if he learned anything while doing community service that he also applied to baseball.

“The biggest thing I’ve learned from community service is to be selfless and help others, and I think that translates to the clubhouse,” Jay said.

When asked, Jay said one of his favorite community service projects is participating in the Players Trust’s Buses for Baseball program.

“It’s amazing to see the kids’ faces when they step onto the field,” Jay mused of the Buses for Baseball program, which provides groups from underserved populations with free tickets and round-trip transportation to Major League games

Sarah and Kyra also chimed in with some of their favorite service projects. Every other week, the West Deptford Action Team volunteers at the Brightview Assisted Living Home.

“We play bingo with them,” explained Sarah. “It’s very fun and heartwarming!”

Action Team Captains across the country joined the evening’s call, and were treated to an inspiring message from the San Diego Padres outfielder.

“Dream big,” Jay told the Action Team Captains at the call’s conclusion. “Keep being positive and impacting your community!”

Tweet me:.@jonjayU connects with @_ActionTeam Captains on 1st #conferencecall of school year! @MLB_Players @MLBPlayersTrust http://bit.ly/2fjX00Q

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy, Education, Jon Jay, tampa bay rays, Action Team, MLB Players Trust, MLBPA, youth volunteer, Volunteers of America

SOURCE:21st Century Fox

DESCRIPTION:

Photo by Patrick Pumpuang

The weekend of September 16th was a victorious and charitable one for the Fox Triathlon Team, who raised $96,000 for pediatric cancer research at Children's Hospital Los Angeles - all while earning the impressive title of overall fastest team for the Nautica Malibu Triathlon.

The corporate wellness group, which was founded in 2010, has over 250 members. Since their founding nearly seven years ago, the team has raised nearly $680,000 for charity. Their mission - to promote fitness and a healthy lifestyle in the working environment - is achieved through year round group activities such as 5Ks, 10Ks, charity rides and triathlons.

Top fundraisers for the Fox Triathlon Team:

• Rich Culver ($17,361 - 2nd overall highest fundraiser) • Mamie Coleman ($6,550) • Matt Schuler ($3,998)

Fastest Fox Finishers:

• Katie Lanvin - 1st in division (1:47:21.43) • Reilly Smith - 4th in division (1:24:15.07) • Richard Culver - 4th in division (1:35:48.70) • Mike Moral - 4th in division (1:37:01.36) • Mike Stotland(1:44:26.09) • Dave Kneeland (1:44:41.50) • Marissa Melnick (1:59:30.36) • Lesley-Ann Lanigan (2:03:12.32) • Brandi Dicker (2:07:45.04) • Lorie Juckett (2:11:38.30)

Tweet me:Fox Colleagues Dominate Nautica Malibu Triathlon, Raise $96K for Pediatric Cancer Research @Children's Hospital L.A. http://bit.ly/2eMeSRp

KEYWORDS: Awards & Recognition, Events, Conferences & Webinars, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, 21st century fox, 21st Century Fox Social Impact, Fox Triathlon Team, pediatric cancer, cancer research, Charity, Fundraising, Triathlon, nautica malibu triathlon

SOURCE:Bloomberg

DESCRIPTION:

Originally posted on Business Insider.

Bloomberg Tradebook hosted its fifth annual charity day on Thursday, October 27, with Mike Bloomberg and celebrities taking to the phones to drum up trading commissions for charity. 

Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi, musician Jon Bon Jovi and New York Giants player Victor Cruz were among the celebrities to play the role of celebrity ambassadors in New York.

In London, actress and model Suki Waterhouse and current England football manager Gareth Southgate took part. And in Hong Kong, model Sofi W and actress and singer Gigi Leung were involved. ​

Click here to read the full article.

Tweet me:Inside the Wall Street charity day where celebrities and star athletes pretend to be traders http://bit.ly/2evG06W

KEYWORDS: Events, Conferences & Webinars, tradebook, charity day, Bloomberg, Celebrities, philanthropy, foundation, fun, special day, costumes, laughter, People, planet, product, sells, trading, buying, stocks, Markets

SOURCE:21st Century Fox

DESCRIPTION:

21st Century Fox and Give a Note Foundation honored the legacy of "American Idol" this summer by asking students, parents and the general public to nominate exceptional music educators as "Music Education Idols." This week, 21CF and Give a Note are highlighting the importance of music education in schools by awarding 20 "MusicEd Idols" $1,000 grants for each of their school's music programs.

Music teachers across the U.S. were honored with video testimonials about how they encouraged their students to discover their creative potential.

"We were so inspired by the students who submitted nominations and the music educators who motivate them every day to work hard and achieve their dreams," said Shira Oberlander, Executive Director of Social Impact for 21st Century Fox. "We are thrilled to support these teachers in their work to make a difference in students' lives."

This round of grants continues a five-year relationship between 21CF and Give a Note in support of music education.

Since 2011, 21st Century Fox businesses have donated more than $1 million to underfunded music programs in schools across the country as part of the company's commitment to support the next generation of artists and creators.

"We appreciate the continued support of 21st Century Fox to reach more students in more schools with the power of music," said Jane Mell Balek, Give a Note Chief Executive Officer. "This is a wonderful opportunity to shine a spotlight on great music programs, which benefit students in all U.S. schools. These stories cannot be told enough, and we encourage communities to support their local school's music programs and the teachers who make them possible."

Here is the list of the 20 "MusicEd Idols":

The grant checks will be presented at school-level celebrations this fall.

Four of the "MusicEd Idol" winners have been selected to attend the 2016 NAfME National In-Service Conference (Nov. 10-13) in Grapevine, Texas, as VIP guests. They will participate in a panel discussion on how to help students reach their full potential:

Lynette Carr-Hicks (Uniondale, New York) Lorrie Turner (Irmo, South Carolina) Christopher Hanson (San Marcos, Texas) Emmanuel Toledo (Lawrence, Massachusetts)

Individuals are encouraged to continue sharing their own stories on their personal social media channels such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook using the hashtag #MusicEdIdol.

Check out the MusicEd Idols 2016 official video here. 

Tweet me:21st Century Fox and Give a Note award music education grants to 20 schools, announce 'Music Education Idol' winners http://bit.ly/2eQhQnR

KEYWORDS: Education, Awards & Recognition, 21st century fox, 21st Century Fox Social Impact, give a note, give a note foundation, american idol, #MusicEdIdol

SOURCE:Novartis

SUMMARY:

• Novartis ranks third in 2016 ranking

• Company tops the industry in access-to-medicine management and capacity building

• Novartis integrated access strategy addressing all income segments stands out as best practice

DESCRIPTION:

BASEL, Switzerland, November 14, 2016 /3BL Media/ – Novartis ranked third in the 2016 Access to Medicine Index (up from 4th place in 2014), in recognition of its efforts to improve worldwide access to healthcare.

The Index measures the performance of the top-20 pharmaceutical companies to improve access to medicines and healthcare in developing countries, and is conducted every other year. It covers seven categories, including access-to-medicine management, capacity building, pricing, manufacturing and distribution.

“We share the fundamental aim of the Access to Medicine Index: to close the access gap in developing countries,” said Joseph Jimenez, CEO of Novartis. “We are delighted that our actions have been recognized, but more work is needed. In order to improve access even further, we will continue to work on creating more scalable and sustainable approaches to increase the affordability and availability of medicines to underserved patients.”

Novartis was the industry leader in access-to-medicine management and capacity building.  The company also performed strongly on R&D, with a pipeline spanning all four disease categories in the scope of the Index. Novartis also rose to the top three in pricing, manufacturing and distribution, significantly expanding its equitable pricing strategies.

Two programs in particular were recognized as best practice: Novartis Access, the portfolio of 15 on- and off-patent medicines to fight chronic diseases in lower-income countries; and ComHIP, a program supported by the Novartis Foundation and its partners to evaluate the impact of an innovative healthcare model on hypertension control and self-management in Ghana, Africa. Furthermore, the company’s long-term product donations for liver fluke and leprosy stood out for their reach and broad coverage, according to the Index.

In capacity building, Novartis improved on its already strong performance in 2014. The Index highlights the company’s engagement with the University of Cape Town in South Africa on malaria and tuberculosis drug discovery, as well as the award-winning SMS for Life program, a public-private partnership to manage medicine stocks in sub-Saharan Africa. SMS for Life has been piloted in more than 10,000 healthcare facilities and is being scaled up using smartphones and tablet computers.

Novartis pursues a combination of approaches to expand access to its medicines – philanthropy, zero-profit initiatives and social ventures. In 2015, the company’s access-to-healthcare initiatives reached almost 66 million patients globally, and training and healthcare service programs reached 12 million people.

About Novartis
Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care and cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas. In 2015, the Group achieved net sales of USD 49.4 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 8.9 billion (USD 8.7 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges). Novartis Group companies employ approximately 118,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are available in approximately 180 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at http://twitter.com/novartis

For Novartis multimedia content, please visit www.novartis.com/news/media-library

For questions about the site or required registration, please contact media.relations@novartis.com

Novartis Media Relations
Central media line: +41 61 324 2200
E-mail: media.relations@novartis.com

Novartis Investor Relations
Central investor relations line: +41 61 324 7944
E-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com

Tweet me:.@Novartis tops the industry in access-to-medicine management and capacity building #AtMIndex2016 #NovartisAccess http://bit.ly/2ePn0Ai

KEYWORDS: Awards & Recognition, Health, Corporate Responsibility, Healthcare, Novartis, Novartis Access, Novartis Foundation, Access to Medicines

Amplifying Existing, Commonly Available, Scientifically Proven Climate Change Solutions

SOURCE:Ray C. Anderson Foundation

DESCRIPTION:

The Ray C. Anderson Foundation has awarded a $500,000 challenge grant to Project Drawdown, a global initiative based on meticulous research and subsequent traditional and online publications that analyzes how and when we can reverse global warming. As Project Drawdown is proving, the key is to amplify existing, widely practiced, commonly available, and scientifically proven solutions.

The Foundation committed the funds in April, with a challenge to Project Drawdown to raise an additional $250,000 by the end of 2016. Project Drawdown accomplished this goal in September, triggering the first of two $250,000 grants. The remainder of the pledge will be satisfied in January 2017, just a few months before publication of the Drawdown book.  

“At certain crucial moments, Foundations can be presented with the opportunity to help bring into existence something that our world desperately needs,” said John A. Lanier, Executive Director of the Ray C. Anderson Foundation and a member of the Project Drawdown Board of Directors. “Our grant to Project Drawdown is one such moment. Their work is a beacon of optimism that we can indeed bring our climate back into balance."

Drawdown is that point in time when the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere begin to decline on a year-to-year basis.

Project Drawdown describes when and how humanity can reach climate drawdown, the point at which greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere begin to decline on a year-to-year basis.

By mapping and modeling one hundred substantive, scalable solutions, Project Drawdown shows that it is possible for us to reverse climate change.

Read more.

Tweet me:.@RaysLegacy Grants $500,000 to @ProjectDrawdown amplifying existing, scientifically proven #climatechange solutions http://bit.ly/2eT0inO

Contact Info:

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

Audrey Neuman
Project Drawdown
audrey@drawdown.org

KEYWORDS: Environment & Climate Change, Project Drawdown, Paul Hawken, Ray C. Anderson Foundation

Ten nonprofits will receive $40,000 to support youth sports, safety, housing, and other pressing community health needs

SOURCE:GSK

DESCRIPTION:

November 14, 2016 /3BL Media/ - today announced the GSK IMPACT Award Winners in a ceremony at GSK’s Navy Yard site. Ten local nonprofits were awarded $40,000 each in recognition of their outstanding contributions to a healthier Philadelphia region.  This is the 20^th anniversary of GSK’s awards program, which has honored and supported hundreds of nonprofits that improve the lives of Philadelphians every day.

“For two decades, we have recognized outstanding nonprofits in our local communities that build the foundation for healthy lives,” said Jack Bailey, President, US Pharmaceuticals, GSK. “This year’s GSK IMPACT Award Winners are delivering innovative solutions to real health challenges faced by our neighbors across the Philadelphia area, and we are proud to support their inspiring work.”

The winners are:

• Beat the Streets Philadelphia, https://btsphilly.org/@BTSPhilly
• CeaseFire Pennsylvania Education Fund http://www.ceasefirepa.org/ @CeaseFirePA
• Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County http://www.dapdc.org/ @DAPDelco
• Legal Clinic for the Disabled, Inc., http://www.lcdphila.org/ @lcdphila
• Philadelphia VIP, https://www.phillyvip.org/ @Philly_VIP
• Philadelphia Wooden Boat Factory, http://woodenboatfactory.org/ @pwbf
• SquashSmarts, Inc., http://www.squashsmarts.org/ @SquashSmarts
• Support Center for Child Advocates, http://sccalaw.org/ @PhillyAdvoKid
• Women's Community Revitalization Project, http://www.wcrpphila.org/  @wcrpphl
• YWCA Tri-County Area, http://www.ywcatricountyarea.org/ @YW3CA

The GSK IMPACT Awards are one of several programs GSK offers as part of a commitment to building healthier communities across the US. The winners were selected by a panel of local and national community leaders through a competitive process. The nonprofits needed to demonstrate innovative and sustainable approaches to addressing at least one of the following health factors and measures: 1) Diet and exercise, 2) Education, 3) Housing and transit, 4) Employment, 5) Family and social support, and 6) Community safety.

In the Philadelphia region, the GSK IMPACT Awards are presented in partnership with United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. (@PhillySJUnited) 

“We are proud to partner with GSK to help administer the GSK IMPACT Awards because we believe that everyone in our community deserves access to the resources they need to live healthy lives,” said Jim Cawley, President and CEO, UWGPSNJ. “Partnerships like these are so valuable because together, we can do more for those in need than we ever could on our own.”

The awards ceremony will feature a keynote address from Dr. Donald F. Schwarz of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation on the important connection between health and community.  In honor of the 20^th anniversary of the GSK IMPACT Awards, GSK employees will also vote for one of the winning organizations to receive an additional $10,000 and a trip to London to attend the UK GSK IMPACT Awards gala and a three-day skills-building workshop alongside the company’s UK/Ireland award winners.

The history of GSK IMPACT Awards:

• For 20 years, we have honored outstanding nonprofit programs that are improving access to health in and around our US corporate campuses in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with GSK IMPACT Awards.
• To date, exemplary US-based nonprofits have been honored with more than $9 million in GSK IMPACT Awards. Over the past 20 years, $6.6 million has been awarded to 165 local nonprofit organizations in the greater Philadelphia area.

About GSK
GSK – one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For company information visit: http://www.gsk.com.

About United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, serving communities in Pennsylvania’s Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, and New Jersey’s Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May and Cumberland counties , is part of a national network of more than 1,300 locally governed organizations that work to create lasting positive changes in communities and in people’s lives. United Way engages the community to identify the underlying causes of the most significant local issues, develops strategies and pulls together financial and human resources to address them, and measures the results. United Way is advancing the common good in Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey by positively impacting the lives of people throughout the region in the areas of education, income, and health.

Join the conversation using @GSKUS and #GSKimpact.

• View photos of the winning organizations.
• Watch a video about how GSK IMPACT award winners are building healthy communities.

For more information:

GSK
Marti Skold-Jordan
Marti.x.Skold-Jordan@GSK.com
919-328-0507

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
Maureen Hiller mhiller@uwgpsnj.org

Tweet me:.@GSKUS celebrates 20 yrs of a healthy/happy Philly. 10 nonprofits receive $40000 to support community health needs http://bit.ly/2eXltbH

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy, Health, GSK, GlaxoSmithKline, Impact Awards, Philadelphia, Beat the Streets, CeaseFire Pennsylvania Education Fund, Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County, Legal Clinic for the Disabled Inc., Philadelphia VIP, Philadelphia Wooden Boat Factory, SquashSmarts, Support Center for Child Advocates, Womens Community Revitalization Project, YWCA Tri-County Area, winners, healthy communities, 20th anniversary, Jack Bailey, United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey

SOURCE:Astellas

DESCRIPTION:

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., November 14, 2016 /3BL Media/ – As part of its Science WoRx^TM STEM education platform, Astellas USA Foundation announced a $1 million grant to Project Lead The Way (PLTW), a national nonprofit organization that provides transformative educational experiences for K-12 students and teachers. The grant will provide PLTW’s computer science, engineering and biomedical science programs to middle schools and high schools in rural Illinois beginning with the 2017-18 school year.

The grant is part of Astellas USA Foundation’s new Rural Spark Project^TM, which seeks to change STEM education in targeted rural areas for middle and high school students by supporting teacher training and exciting hands-on learning opportunities in the classroom and the community.

“STEM programming is vital for all our schools, but districts in rural America, especially, struggle to attract and retain vital STEM teachers to lead science education,” said Moyra Knight, president, Astellas USA Foundation. “Creating programs that will inspire future scientists, support teachers and elevate college prospects for students is imperative to sustaining the economic wellbeing of rural communities.”

Through PLTW’s programs in computer science, engineering and biomedical science, students will engage in hands-on, real-world learning opportunities that empower them to develop essential, in-demand knowledge and skills, while also providing an invaluable connection between what they learn in the classroom and how it applies to the paths they’ll take in the future.

“Project Lead The Way is proud to partner with the Astellas USA Foundation to ensure that students and teachers in Illinois’ rural communities have equal access to high-quality STEM education as their urban and suburban peers,” said PLTW President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Vince Bertram. “All students, regardless of race, gender, geography and socio-economic status, need a strong foundation in science and technology. With Astellas USA Foundation’s support, we will help ensure that all students have the in-demand knowledge and skills they need to thrive in our rapidly evolving world.”  

Middle schools and high schools located in Illinois Congressional Districts 12, 13, 15, 16 and 17 can find eligibility guidelines and the grant application here. 

About Astellas USA Foundation
Astellas USA Foundation is a tax-exempt, nonprofit corporate foundation that awards grants to support charitable, scientific, literary and educational programs. Learn more at www.astellasusafoundation.org. You can also follow us on Twitter at @AstellasFDN or Facebook at www.facebook.com/AstellasFoundation.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a nonprofit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for K-12 students and teachers across the U.S. PLTW empowers students to develop in-demand, transportable knowledge and skills through pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science. PLTW’s teacher training and resources support teachers as they engage their students in real-world learning. More than 9,000 elementary, middle, and high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia offer PLTW programs. For more information on Project Lead The Way, visit pltw.org.

Contact Info:

Jennifer Cahill
PLTW Senior Director of Media and Public Relations
+1 (317) 669-0871
jcahill@pltw.org

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy, Astellas USA Foundation, Project Lead The Way, Science WoRx, Rural Spark Project

SOURCE:Benevity

DESCRIPTION:

By Nicole Campbell, Principal of Goodness Consulting at Benevity

How do you get more people engaged in your workplace giving program? It’s an important question that gets asked a lot, so we compiled 6 strategies that work, based on data from our Fortune 1000 clients, and the Association of Corporate Contributions Professionals invited us to share our findings in a live webinar.

The webinar sparked a really meaningful conversation with attendees around their challenges and opportunities, so below are some additional reflections and tips that might help as you look to grow and sustain engagement in your program year round.

Team up to spread the word and build excitement

We heard that communicating new programs or features is a big challenge. Think about partnering with other teams within your organization to create a network of CR, HR, Communications and Management people who can connect and work together to move the needle. And once senior leadership has bought in, it helps to involve them too. Having them “walk the talk” is a powerful way to create organic communication and will resonate with employees.

GET MORE ENGAGEMENT TIPS

Tweet me:#6KeysWG webinar reflections: @NicMcPhail shares tips on creating engagement in #workplacegiving via @benevity: http://bit.ly/2fL7PYp #CSR

Contact Info:

Michelle de Man
+1 (403) 237-7875ext. 369
mdeman@benevity.com

KEYWORDS: Volunteerism & Community Engagement, Business & Trade, benevity, corporate giving, corporate volunteering, corporate philanthropy, Corporate Citizenship, employee giving, employee volunteering, Employee Engagement

SOURCE:Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

DESCRIPTION:

COLUMBUS, Ohio, November 14, 2016 /3BL Media/ - National Adoption Day is a collective national effort to raise awareness of the more than 107,000 U.S. children in foster care waiting to be adopted. This annual, one-day event has made the dreams of thousands of children come true by working with policymakers, practitioners and advocates to finalize adoptions and create and celebrate adoptive families.

National Adoption Day began in the year 2000 as an effort to push delayed adoption proceedings through the court system.  The founding coalition of nonprofits behind the effort included The Alliance for Children's Rights, Children's Action Network, Freddie Mac Foundation and Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. In its first year there were nine jurisdictions that participated and now this remarkable day is celebrated nationwide in more than 400 cities.

In total, National Adoption Day has helped nearly 58,500 children move from foster care to a forever family. This year on November 19, communities across the country will open their courts to finalize thousands of adoptions. Last year, more than 4,000 children were adopted on this special day.

“National Adoption Day has truly become rooted in communities and courtrooms nationwide. In fact, many families choose to finalize their adoption on National Adoption Day because the day is so special,” said Rita Soronen, President & CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. “We celebrate with these families and continue to tirelessly work toward achieving our vision, that every child will have a permanent home and a loving family.”

To learn more about your community’s celebration visit: www.nationaladoptionday.org/events/

For more information about foster care adoption, call the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption at 1-800-ASK-DTFA, or order the free adoption guide at davethomasfoundation.org/free-resources/

About us: The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national nonprofit public charity dedicated exclusively to finding permanent homes for the more than 130,000 children waiting in North America’s foster care systems. Created by Wendy’s® founder Dave Thomas who was adopted, the Foundation implements evidence-based, results-driven national service programs, foster care adoption awareness campaigns and innovative grantmaking. To learn more, visit davethomasfoundation.org or call 1-800-ASK-DTFA.

Tweet me:National Adoption Day Brings Families Together for 17th Year http://bit.ly/2eGsBsW #DTFA

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy, Dave Thomas, foster care, adoption, Recruiter, forever family, Wendy’s, national adoption day

Companies give money and time to humanitarian issues. But what about data?Companies give money and time to humanitarian issues. But what about data?

SOURCE:UPS

DESCRIPTION:

Mallory Soldner | UPS 

Companies are constantly searching for new and innovative ways to solve the world’s most vexing problems. What many firms don’t realize, however, is that they already have a silver bullet at their disposal. It’s their data.

If corporations focused as much on donating information as money, we could make immediate changes around the globe.

Mallory Soldner, UPS Advanced Analytics Manager, explains how in her TED@UPS talk posted this week on TED.com. Longitudes spoke with Mallory about her talk and the impact she hopes it will have – check out the Q&A below after you watch her talk.

Q. What was the most enlightening surprise from the TED@UPS experience and why?

Giving a talk at TED@UPS was quite the roller coaster. Walking off the stage was a feeling of complete elation after months of preparation, countless drafts and plenty of last-minute nerves.

The number of follow-up conversations that I have already had after TED@UPS about spreading data philanthropy has been a wonderful surprise.

It’s coming of age for using data for positive impact, and I can’t wait to see what kinds of conversations the broader release of the talk can help generate.

Q. What do you hope people will take from your talk?

Data can be more powerful in a wider range of areas than most people realize.

• Data generated from cellphone pings to towers can be used to find movement patterns in people. This can help you track how malaria might spread.
• Satellite imagery can track how a drought is impacting food production. This can help trigger aid funding before a crisis occurs.
• Technology used to capture package deliveries can be transformed to tracking handover of supplies in refugee camps. This can help ensure the right supplies are available for the families in need.

All of these illustrate ways that companies are giving back to the greater good through data philanthropy.

Companies are doing this by donating (i) their data, (ii) their decision scientists and (iii) their technology to capture new sources of data.

The next generation of corporate social responsibility is using data and companies’ decision-scientist expertise to solve the big problems our world is facing.

I hope my talk gets people asking questions.

What insights are hidden in data that is just sitting behind firewalls?

What more could be done with data that isn’t being collected yet in the humanitarian sector?

Why aren’t we moving at a faster rate given the existing track record of success in pilot projects?

Q. How did giving a TED@UPS talk inspire you?

Giving a talk at TED@UPS was a chance to step out of my day-to-day role, to imagine what could be, and to pose provocative ideas and questions with some of UPS’s best and brightest.

Getting to know the other speakers and their stories was one of the highlights of the experience.

You never know if someone you walk by every day in the hallway is sitting on an amazing idea or that the person in the cube around the corner has a beautiful backstory and perspective on the world.

I found both of these to be true and am now connected to an amazing network of TED@UPS speakers.

Q. How would you inspire someone thinking about giving a TED@UPS talk?  

I am grateful for the experience of giving a TED@UPS talk and for the TED coaches and staff that mentored us throughout this wild ride.

For others considering applying to give a talk, I think it’s a platform like no other for sharing an idea you are passionate about, and my advice would be to brace yourself for everything you think you know about giving a presentation to be challenged.

Mallory Soldner is an advanced analytics manager at UPS. She works on research and development projects and consults within the company.

Tweet me:If corporations focused as much on donating data as money, we could make immediate global change. #TEDatUPS http://bit.ly/2fFJTUq

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy, Media & Communications, TED, UPS, analytics, data, humanitarian aid

New Episode on the Champions for Social Good Podcast

SOURCE:MicroEdge + Blackbaud

DESCRIPTION:

In this episode of the Champions for Social Good Podcast, Jamie Serino speaks with Faith Mitchell (@GIHealth_CEO), President & CEO of Grantmakers In Health (@GIHealth), the professional association for health philanthropy. Faith discusses how funders are engaging with eight emerging trends in health philanthropy: Aging, Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse, Child Development, Community Development, Health Reform, Healthy Living/Active Eating, Oral Health, and Population Health. Faith also explains how health funders are addressing health equity, which includes looking beyond traditional healthcare to the social determinants of health. The topic of impact measurement as it relates to health philanthropy is also explored.

The Champions for Social Good podcast brings together thought leaders and practitioners in the social good movement to share learnings, educate and inspire change across the sector, and is hosted by Jamie Serino, Director of Marketing, MicroEdge + Blackbaud. For more information, please visit the MicroEdge + Blackbaud Resource Hub and www.microedge.com. 

Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to the Champions for Social Good Podcast on iTunes, Google Play Music, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast player.

Tweet me:.@GIHealth_CEO shares latest trends in #health #philanthropy on the @MicroEdgeLLC Champions for #SocialGood Podcast http://bit.ly/2eVlooZ

KEYWORDS: Philanthropy, Health, MicroEdge, social impact measurement, Health Equity