News from Leading Brands

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

Focus for maximum impact

Focus™ is 3BL’s premier product, a comprehensive suite of proprietary tools and expertise to optimize your impact programs with precision and purpose.

Discover Focus

Smarter impact communications

Power your message with data, insights and confidence

Find out more at 3BL.com

Education

Unlocking the Passion and Potential of the World’s Youth

Through our Youth Learning program, Dell is working with nonprofit partners worldwide to give underserved youth better access to technology and education. Going beyond access, we’re also creating a culture of inclusion, wherein science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning is seen as being for everyone — boys and girls, rich and poor. And we’re teaching youth of all backgrounds how to be persistent and work though challenging problems.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The Lasting Impact of Comcast Cares Day in Santa Rosa

Last year’s wildfires were devastating for our area. As one of the most destructive wildfires in state history, they destroyed at least 8,400 homes and buildings and killed 22 people. In our district, about 800 students and 90 staff members lost their homes. The fires also destroyed one of our elementary schools and a high school farm.

When faced with unimaginable tragedy, this community came together, and we truly felt the support that came in from around the world. Comcast NBCUniversal, with over 500 employees in the local area, was intimately aware of the devastation and jumped in to help.

Research, Reports & Publications

Duke Energy Releases Updated Environmental, Social and Governance Reporting Template for Investors

Duke Energy, a recognized leader in transparent environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting, is participating in an innovative industrywide approach to better communicate progress on ESG and sustainability issues.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Book Excerpt—The Challenge for Business and Society: From Risk to Reward

Stan Litow’s new book, The Challenge for Business and Society: From Risk to Reward published by John Wiley & Sons, presents a fact-based assessment of the role that corporations have played in society both historically and currently and perhaps most important, offers a road map for a more promising future.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Las Vegas Sands Teams up to Build Wellness Kits for Community Preparedness

Las Vegas Sands is collaborating with social enterprise Clean the World and humanitarian organization American Red Cross for a property-wide hygiene and comfort kit build to support disaster and social relief efforts. This will be the company’s first build with American Red Cross and its fifth annual effort to build a total of 80,000 hygiene kits worldwide that will improve the health and well-being of populations in need with Clean the World.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Always Be Prepared: How to Plan Your Disaster Relief Strategy

When news of natural disasters pop up in people’s news feeds, they feel compelled to give immediately and will often approach their CSR leaders with hundreds of “what are we doing about this?” questions—unless you have a plan. Download our practical guide to help create a solid disaster relief strategy, so you’re ready to respond quickly and confidently the next time disaster strikes.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Quick Consult: Getting Past the Myth of "Not Enough Time"

One of the most common concerns companies share when thinking about developing a pro bono program is that their employees are strapped for time. What they find, though, is that smart pro bono program design can go a long way to address this concern.

Education

TCS Partners with Discovery Education for Innovation Student Challenge

Tata Consultancy Services and Discovery Education today announced the launch of the TCS Discovery Education Ignite Innovation Student Challenge. The brand-new competition gives young innovators an amazing chance to win $10,000, receive virtual mentorship from a TCS technology expert and bring a winning idea to life.

Innovation & Technology

The Unanticipated Benefits of California’s Water Policies

Just as California's climate policies have driven innovation in energy efficiency, renewable energy and battery storage – creating 500,000 new jobs – many of the state’s recently enacted bills are beginning to drive innovation in water technology. State policymakers should take note.

Environment

eBay | Supporting World Elephant Day

In celebration of World Elephant Day, August 12th, eBay is raising awareness and support for actions that help conserve elephants by eliminating illegal trade in ivory and elephant-related products. Unfortunately, poachers kill about 20,000 elephants every single year for their tusks, which are then traded illegally both on and off line throughout the world.

Innovation & Technology

Creating Smarter, Healthier Cities

Air pollution kills 4.5 million people a year and costs the world $225 billion a year in economic damages. Recent studies show that air pollution varies as much as eight times within one city block. The good news is we are on the cusp of generating widespread hyperlocal insights into air pollution. Understanding for the first time at a local, personal level where pollution is, where it comes from, and its impacts could shine a spotlight on the problem and increase the urgency and motivation for action.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

A Deeper Look at CECP's Investing in Society: People

Investing in Society, CECP’s recently launched compendium of data, research, and case studies illustrates innovations in corporate efforts to solve the world’s most pressing problems. Divided into five sections – Priorities, Performance, People, Planet, and Policies – the collection of insights offers a far-reaching assessment of what leading companies are doing in each of the five focus areas.

In the People section, CECP asks, “How can large corporations maximize societal impact and outcomes through employee engagement and purpose?”

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Hallmark's Elizabeth Bordenave Utilizes Skills-Based Volunteering for Nonprofits

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

The 25 Most Generous Philanthropists in America Today

America's wealthiest people donated $14.7 billion in 2017 to causes, alma maters, foundations, and charities — more than doubling the amount given away in 2016. For 18 years, The Chronicle of Philanthropy has published an annual round up of the top-50 philanthropists in America by calculating their yearly donations. In 2017, the individuals and couples on the list donated a median of $97 million, doubling the giving amount from the first list published in 2000.

Environment

HP Works to Reduce the Environmental Impact of Its Worldwide Operations

In early 2018, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced that independent analyses conducted by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) show that 2017 was the second warmest year on record globally.
That warming trend has continued, as the latest research by NOAA predicts that 2018 is on pace to be the fourth hottest year on record – with only 2015, 2016, and 2017 being warmer.

Research, Reports & Publications

CMS Energy Releases Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) and Sustainability Report

CMS Energy is participating in a voluntary industry initiative, coordinated by the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), to provide the public, our customers and investors with uniform and consistent ESG and sustainability-related metrics. This report supplements our existing disclosure on these issues, including the 2018 Sustainability Report.

Research, Reports & Publications

New Sustainability Reporting Tools to Save Sweat Equity and Costs

Energy and sustainability expert Schneider Electric today announced new external reporting features in the company's cloud-based enterprise software platform EcoStruxure™ Resource Advisor. The updates will enable organizations to turn sustainability disclosure into an ongoing process and better use data collected throughout the year, reducing the stress and associated expense of reporting season.

Environment

Practitioner Spotlight--Phil Gilchrist

Antea Group spotlights Phil Gilchrist, its environmental remediation consultant based in California.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Billy Cable - 2018 Aflac CSR Hero

One year ago, Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, Texas, and led to historic flooding. Lisa Bates, an independent agent licensed to sell Aflac products, and her family – including her 10-month-old daughter – were stranded and in need of help.

Sustainable Development Goals

Coffee Entrepreneur: How Ne​scafé Helped Wasiu Get Started

Nescafé is helping thousands of young people in Central and West Africa by allowing them to run their own street vending business.

If a vendor wants to become an operator, Nescafé provides training on how to run a business, teaching the sellers about management, hygiene, quality and safety, as well as helping them to secure access to a supply of clean boiling water.

Environment

Great Plains Grassland Loss Slows Overall, While South Dakota Conversion on the Rise

Last year, 1.7 million acres of grasslands were lost across the Great Plains to crop production, according to new research from World Wildlife Fund (WWF). While stark, this number represents an overall decrease in conversion from 2016, with 800,000 less acres plowed, benefiting the critical ecosystems, wildlife habitat, and rural communities who rely on these intact grasslands. However, the region of South Dakota that was once hit hardest by the Dust Bowl has experienced a dramatic increase in plow-up over the past year.

Environment

World Water Week: Companies Must Look Beyond Own Operations to Enhance Water Stewardship

The cornerstone for effective water management is to know one’s impacts. GRI has released an updated standard on water and effluents, with an emphasis on water stewardship. Developed with a working group of highly accomplished water experts, the standard has a basis in the Sustainable Development Goals and represents the best practice in reporting on water across the value chain.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Bacardí se une a Lonely Whale para erradicar uso de plástico

Como parte de su compromiso con la sociedad, Grupo Bacardí se une a Lonely Whale, la galardonada organización sin fines de lucro dedicada a presentar ideas que impacten positivamente la salud de nuestros océanos, anunciando la campaña internacional de concientización social #TheFutureDoesntSuck o #ElFuturoNoSorbe en español.

Green Infrastructure

Thailand Kicks Off WELL Journey with Strong Market Traction for Healthy Buildings

The International WELL Building Institute celebrated the most recent stop of its WELL Journey in Bangkok, Thailand, with much fanfare by bringing together a diverse group of local stakeholders committed to promoting healthy buildings and healthy communities in the country.

Social Impact & Volunteering

President and Mrs. Carter in Indiana to Build New Habitat for Humanity Homes Alongside Future Homeowners and Hundreds of Volunteers

President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter have donned their hardhats and lifted their hammers for their 35th work project with Habitat for Humanity. Building alongside volunteers and future homeowners, the Carters are helping to build 22 new, affordable homes this week in what will become an all-Habitat neighborhood in Mishawaka. With additional construction projects throughout the year, a total of 41 homes will be built, renovated or repaired in Mishawaka and South Bend as part of the 2018 Carter Work Project.

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...