News from Leading Brands

Keep up with the latest impact news from companies embracing the triple bottom line, shared via 3BL's publishing platform.

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Events, Media & Communications

What Doors Open When We Measure Impact?

What Doors Open When We Measure Impact?

November 6th, join important dialogue to move social enterprise forward in Ontario!

Energy

Businesses Commend Gov. Cooper’s Plan to Bolster North Carolina’s Clean Energy Economy and Reduce Emissions

Businesses lauded Gov. Roy Cooper for taking action to rapidly transition North Carolina to a clean energy future in a move that will benefit all North Carolina residents by strengthening the state economy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Partners In Preservation: Main Streets Awards $2 Million in Preservation Grants to Sites Reflecting America’s Diverse History

Today, American Express, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Main Street America announced the winners of the 2018 Partners in Preservation: Main Streets campaign. The 11 winning historic sites will receive a total of $1.6 million in grants to fund their respective preservation projects. At the outset of the campaign, an additional $400,000 was allocated to the 20 Main Street communities that participated in the program to increase public awareness of the importance of these historic places and build grassroots support for the participating Main Street districts.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Goodness Gains Momentum as 200 More Companies Embrace Benevity’s Innovative Approaches to Employee Engagement

212 companies—including Okta, Tiffany & Co., Rackspace® and Major League Baseball—have joined Benevity's growing community of over 500 enterprise clients since this time last year.

Education

New Digital STEM-Career Curriculum Takes High-School Students Behind-the-scenes with Scientists and Engineers Working on Life-saving Technologies

Lockheed Martin has partnered with Discovery Education on Generation Beyond: Aviation, a digital STEM curriculum that takes students behind-the-scenes with Lockheed Martin engineers and scientists to solve real-world technology challenges, from fighting wildfires to making flight suits for military pilots safer.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

How to Optimize Your Grants Lifecycle for a Better ROI

A solid grantmaking process is key to maximizing the social impact of your funding. Here are some tips and techniques that will help you fine-tune your process, so you can better serve non-profits and measure the impact of your foundation’s efforts.

Environment

Don’t Be a Tardigrade: Private Sector Solutions for Ensuring a Freshwater Future

While the private sector must double down on its ambitions to achieve rapid decarbonization of the global economy, it must, at the same time, do everything in its power to protect the freshwater resources that are essential to all human and economic activity.

Research, Reports & Publications

Corporate Giving Increased for a Third Consecutive Year, up 15% Since 2015

In the largest, most robust, industry-leading, and internationally-recognized research of corporate social investment, CECP: The CEO Force for Good, in association with The Conference Board, found in their annual Giving in Numbers: 2018 Edition report that leading corporations are intensifying efforts to meet key societal needs around the world.

Energy

Duke Energy Aims to Expand Solar Power to Non-residential Customers Without Large Upfront Investment

Duke Energy wants non-residential customers to have another option to install solar power on their premises. The company recently filed to be a certified solar lessor with the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC). Duke Energy Clean Energy Resources (DECER), a non-regulated affiliate of Duke Energy, will build, own and operate on-site solar facilities that will allow customers to access renewable energy without a large upfront investment. DECER is not financially supported by either Duke Energy Carolinas or Duke Energy Progress, Duke Energy's operating companies in the Carolinas.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Timberland’s Fall Fest Celebrates Service, Company Culture and the Season

Eight employees who volunteer to serve on Timberland’s “Culture Club” planned this year’s Fall Fest celebration. The Club’s mission is to plan and execute small scale events throughout the year to bring a bit of fun into the workplace.

Energy

Secure. Affordable. Responsible. With Renewables, Have All 3

Global institutions today face what is known as the energy “trilemma”—the need to balance energy security with energy that is both affordable and environmentally responsible. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) currently projects that world energy consumption will increase 28% by 2040. Simultaneously, the energy delivery system around the world is expected to undergo massive disruption in the forms of decentralization, digitization, and decarbonization.

Futureproofing energy supply has become a predominant goal for managing risk and resilience for a majority of companies.

An enormous opportunity exists for organizations with distributed energy load to act by acquiring renewables.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Humana Foundation Invests $1.84 Million to Address Social Determinants of Health in Knoxville and Jacksonville

The Humana Foundation is investing $1.84 million to address social determinants of health in two communities – Knoxville, Tenn., and Jacksonville, Fla.

In Knoxville, the Humana Foundation will invest $1,020,000 in the Truck2Table pilot program and is partnering with InterFaith Health Clinic and Catapult 4D to address East Tennessee health barriers.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

New Study on Financial Inclusion, the 2018 Global Microscope, Shows Countries in Latin America and Asia Provide the Best Environments for Financial Progress

The Global Microscope on Financial Inclusion, now in its 11th year, is a benchmarking index that assesses the enabling environment for financial access in 55 countries. The 2018 Global Microscope underscores the evolving landscape of financial inclusion itself. This year’s index was completely revised to take a forward-looking focus on digital financial services, and to address the critical role of financial inclusion envisioned in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Kohler Co.’s Innovation For Good Program Recognized as Changemaker with 2018 Mahatma Award

Kohler Co. has been presented with a 2018 Mahatma Award for Social Good for its “Innovation for Good” (IfG) efforts. Laura Kohler, Senior Vice President-Human Resources, Stewardship & Sustainability for Kohler Co., accepted the award on behalf of IfG and Kohler Co. in New York City during the recently held UN General Assembly.

The Mahatma Awards for Social Good spotlight changemakers and are awarded annually to individuals or organizations committed to addressing complex social issues like safe water, sanitation, disease, poverty and hunger.

Kohler’s Innovation for Good program is an innovation incubator focused on developing and implementing sustainable business solutions to address some of the most pressing problems related to safe water, safe sanitation and reliable power.

Health & Healthcare

Helping Nonprofits Within the Food System Tap Into Pro Bono

Environment

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Helps Orca to Expand ‘Living Lagoon’ Program to St. Lucie County to Promote Water Improvement in the Indian River Lagoon

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA) today announced a new Living Lagoon School Program partnership. The partnership will expand access to hands-on programs for middle-school students living near the Indian River Lagoon in Florida’s Treasure Coast region.

Media & Communications

FSB Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosure Considers the Dramatic Contents of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988 (30 years ago!) to provide a “clear scientific view of the current state of knowledge in climate change and its potential environmental and socio-economic impacts”.

Events, Media & Communications

Alexander “Sandy” Taft Joins Sappi North America as Director of Sustainability

Sappi North America, Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper, packaging products and dissolving wood pulp, today announced the appointment of Alexander “Sandy” Taft as director of sustainability.

Events, Media & Communications

Pro Bono Perspectives Podcast: Episode 7 - Tim Smith, The Boston Foundation and Pledge 1% Boston

We are so excited to welcome Tim Smith, Senior Director of The Boston Foundation and Head of Pledge 1% Boston chapter, powered by The Boston Foundation to Pro Bono Perspectives this week. In his day-to-day work with The Boston Foundation, Tim advises individuals and companies in the region on a variety of philanthropic offerings including Donor Advised Funds.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Refining Honey Production Through Investing in Bee Houses

“When we decided to build a bee house, fellow community members thought it was impractical and unwise. But since we saw a snippet of its advantages during a tour in Western Uganda, nothing would deter us from pursuing this new venture. Why shouldn’t we benefit from the same?” said William Sabila, a Honey Innovation Platform facilitator, during a field visit to Kapchorwa District, Uganda, with representatives from Landcare Australia and the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF).

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Responsible Business Alliance Announces Compass Awards Winners

The Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) today announced the winners of its inaugural Compass Awards program recognizing corporate social responsibility (CSR) excellence across three categories: Leadership, Innovation and Implementation.

Environment

WWF Report Reveals Staggering Extent of Human Impact on Planet

Populations of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians have, on average, declined in size by 60 percent in just over 40 years. The biggest drivers of current biodiversity loss are overexploitation and agriculture, both linked to continually increasing human consumption. Given the interconnectivity between the health of nature, the well-being of people and the future of our planet, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) urges the global community to unite for a global deal for nature and people to reverse the trend of biodiversity loss.

Sustainable Development Goals

NASCAR Continues Sustainability Efforts With the Arbor Day Foundation

The NASCAR Green Race for Trees Campaign – a sustainability partnership between the Arbor Day Foundation, NASCAR, Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas A&M AgriLife and Harris County Master Gardener Association - will distribute 500 new trees this year to homeowners in Houston.

Health & Healthcare

About 50 Percent of Cancer Deaths Are Preventable. Here’s How We Can Stop Cancer Before It Starts!®

The number of new cancer diagnoses is increasing. In 2018, more than 1.7 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer – that’s 46,570 more cases than in 2017. This increase in diagnoses is proof that prevention and early detection are more critical now than ever. And research shows that up to 50 percent of cancer cases and about 50 percent of cancer deaths are preventablewith the knowledge we have today. Addressing this issue is the Prevent Cancer Foundation®, which is working to reduce the cancer mortality rate by focusing on research, education, outreach and advocacy for cancer prevention, and for early detection when cancers are most treatable.

Latest Campaigns

  1. AEG's Commitment to Social Impact and Volunteerism
    AEG embraces its responsibility to enrich the lives of people in the communities around the world where we do business, and to use business to create...
  2. Southwire Giving Back
    Our neighbors depend on us, just as we depend on them, so we are committed to improving the quality of life in the communities in which we work. At...
  3. Carbon Footprint
    We are accelerating our efforts to help build a low-carbon economy and avert the worst impacts of climate change. Our goal to reduce our GHG emissions...
  4. Environmental Sustainability
    As sustainability leaders, we implement our sustainability strategy across all company activities along the entire value chain, from raw materials to...
  5. Corporate Social Responsibility
    Corporate Social Responsibility
  6. International Paper | HEALTHY & ABUNDANT FORESTS
    Vision 2030 Goal: Lead forest stewardship efforts globally
  7. Sustainability Report
    Our latest Sustainability Report highlights recent accomplishments and progress toward achieving goals in the environmental, social and governance...
  8. Social Impact at Mastercard
    At Mastercard, we’re powering economies and empowering people, building a sustainable economy where everyone prospers.
  9. Kingfisher Around the World
    The SCS Kingfisher certification mark is showing up on an increasing number of products around the world. It differentiates companies that are making...
  10. License to Operate
    Corporate governance, risk management, operational integrity, and regulatory compliance are demanding challenges that companies face in today’s ever...
  11. IWBI | WELL Building Standard
    Our built environment can shape our habits and choices, regulate our sleep-wake cycle, drive us toward healthy and unhealthy choices, and passively...
  12. Leading ESG & Sustainability Stewardship
    The new CNH continues on its longstanding path of excellence in sustainability, which is recognized by the foremost authorities.
  13. Green Mountain Energy Commitment to Sustainability
    At Green Mountain Energy Company, we share our customers’ commitment to the environment and sustainability. We are inspired by the success that we...
  14. KeyBank's Community Investment
    In states where Key has a presence, there are approximately 1.7 million low- to moderate-income (LMI) households. Many LMI individuals don’t have bank...
  15. GoDaddy | Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
    Diverse teams build better products — period. At GoDaddy, we make apps and services that our worldwide community of entrepreneurs can relate to. Our...