Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Making Good Happen at Work on #GivingTuesday

Dec 4, 2018 10:05 AM ET

The Common Impact team had the pleasure of spending #GivingTuesday in Boston with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation for the first-ever Making Good Happen at Work conference in Boston. The conference brought together leaders from the corporate, nonprofit and public sectors for an interactive conversation on creating and tending an effective employee service and giving program.

Energy

VIDEO | Mohawk Group and Groundswell Unveil smartflower™ Solar Energy Unit in Eden, NC

Dec 4, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Mohawk Group and nonprofit Groundswell have teamed up to locate a new smartflower™ solar energy unit near three Rockingham County Schools in North Carolina—a project that will bring the benefits of clean solar power to the area, create educational opportunities for students and also contribute to Mohawk’s sustainability efforts to leave more handprints than footprints. The smartflower technology was unveiled on Nov. 29 at a special event in Eden, N.C., which is also the home of Mohawk’s historic Karastan woven carpet plant.

Environment

Practitioner Spotlight--Todd Gift

Dec 4, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Antea Group highlights Todd Gift, its environmental remediation consultant based in Austin, TX.

Education

PNC Bank and Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts Reveal the PNC Grow Up Great Gallery

Dec 4, 2018 9:55 AM ET

The new art installation in the Kauffman Center’s Plaza Lobby showcases hundreds of handprints created by local pre-school students at Growing Futures Early Education Center in Overland Park, Kan. and United Inner City Services St. Mark Center in Kansas City, Mo. PNC Bank created the gallery in partnership with the Kauffman Center and the two early education centers, as part of an effort to inspire great futures for local children through memorable arts experiences.

Energy

Podcast: Clean Energy is the Future and National Grid is Ready to Lead us There Today

Dec 4, 2018 9:55 AM ET

John Pettigrew, CEO of National Grid PLC, is focused on transforming utilities to become greener, more efficient, and technological to prepare for an uncertain future of climate change, customer needs, and an uncertain political environment. National Grid, which operates electric and gas utilities in the United States and Great Britain, is driving the conversation around carbon usage and the implementation of clean energy technology.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Corporate Social Responsibility: Being a Force for Good in an Era of Employee Activism

Dec 4, 2018 9:50 AM ET

Social activism has transformed America over the past two years. From the Women’s March to the NFL; from Net Neutrality to hurricane relief. And the sort of activism Americans are demonstrating has moved beyond marches, social media hashtags, and town hall meetings—it has entered the workplace.

Diversity & Inclusion

Tonya Berry Named VP of Operations Performance at Consumers Energy

Dec 4, 2018 9:45 AM ET

Consumers Energy, a public utility that provides natural gas and electricity to 6.7 million people in Michigan, named Tonya Berry as its new vice president of operations performance. Starting on Nov. 16, 2018, Berry will be responsible for improving work management processes within the gas and electric groups.

Health & Healthcare

VIDEO | My Special Aflac Duck​™ Brings Smiles and Laughter to Children's Hospital

Dec 4, 2018 9:35 AM ET

The room was filled with smiles and laughter during the My Special Aflac Duck​™ delivery at Palmetto Health Children's Hospital​ in Columbia, South Carolina. The delivery followed more than 18 months of child-centered research aimed at creating a caring companion for children with cancer.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Quincy Girl Scouts Troops Recycle, Earn Bronze Award

Dec 4, 2018 9:35 AM ET

Two Quincy Girl Scouts troops have been working on their Bronze Award, completing their Girls Scouts Journey; making a “Take Action” plan, and executing the project.

Diversity & Inclusion

New Paper Outlines Paths to Promote a More Inclusive Society Through Corporate Social Engagement

Dec 4, 2018 9:25 AM ET

CECP: The CEO Force for Good today published a new white paper exploring how companies are integrating diversity and inclusion (D&I) into their corporate citizenship and responsibility priorities, Diversity & Inclusion in Corporate Social Engagement. With support from the Walmart Foundation, CECP led this year-long inquiry with the goal of identifying and sharing actionable insights and best practices that corporate leaders can learn from and apply in their own companies. CECP is a coalition of more than 200 companies and CEOs that believes that a company’s social strategy--how it engages with key stakeholders including employees, communities, investors, and customers--determines company success.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sands Cares Honored with Governor’s Award in Nevada

Dec 4, 2018 9:05 AM ET

The Venetian Resort Las Vegas was recognized for their community service through Sands Cares, the company’s corporate giving and Team Member engagement program, at the 2018 Governor’s Points of Light Awards in October. Sands Cares integrates the company’s philanthropic work worldwide including financial giving, Team Member volunteerism, and in-kind support while making an impact in the areas we care about most: our people, planet, and communities. Seven awards were given out by Lieutenant Governor Mark Hutchison at the annual awards ceremony including Sands Cares in Las Vegas for the Corporate and Business Volunteer Program.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Q&A with Mark Almeida of Bureau van Dijk

Dec 4, 2018 9:05 AM ET

For me, the way to think about Moody’s is that we’re an information company. No matter how you slice what we do, we’re all about providing information and insight to as many people as we possibly can.

Environment

Business Calls for Strong Guidelines and Increased Climate Ambition at COP24

Dec 4, 2018 9:00 AM ET

At COP24, business is calling on government to create a just transition to net zero, participation in the Talanoa Dialogue, and strong Paris rulebook guidelines.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Humana Foundation Contributing More Than $2 Million to 30+ Organizations Through New Louisville Community Relations Program

Dec 4, 2018 9:00 AM ET

The Humana Foundation, philanthropic arm of Humana for the past 37 years, is awarding grants to 30+ nonprofit organizations in Louisville as part of the foundation’s new Community Relations program. The $2 million in grants is in addition to $7 million the Humana Foundation is contributing to other organizations in seven cities, as part of its new Strategic Investing initiative.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

VIDEO | Hanes' Partnership with Invisible People Brings Comfort to America’s Homeless

Dec 4, 2018 8:55 AM ET

Mark Horvath, founder of Invisible People, explains why he believes a simple pair of white socks can make a dramatic difference in the lives of the estimated 3.5 million men, women and children that sleep in shelters, transitional housing and public places not meant for human habitation.

Research, Reports & Publications

Video: David Taylor, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, Perspective on P&G Citizenship Efforts

Dec 4, 2018 8:45 AM ET

We made significant progress in each area of P&G’s Citizenship work in fiscal year 2018, and we continue to actively build Citizenship into how we deliver our business results.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

12 Ways to Give Back This Giving Tuesday on eBay Through December 6th

Dec 4, 2018 8:05 AM ET

Through December 6th, shoppers can visit ebay.com/GivingTuesday and make an impact through a variety of inventory and experiences, including signed sneakers from NBA superstars such as Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant, an autographed photo by Blake Shelton and a signed skateboard by the late iconic American comic book writer Stan Lee. All proceeds will go back to charity.

Education

Sparks of Change: Gildan Recognizes Young Leaders in Their Communities

Dec 4, 2018 8:00 AM ET

Gildan recognized six young student-athletes during the annual Foundation of Athletes for Excellence in Quebec (FAEQ) gala on November 29. The outstanding student athletes achieved strong athletic performance and outstanding academic results while demonstrating strong eadership in their communities. This year, the Gildan Leadership Category bursaries totalling $12,000 were presented to university students to support their continued academic and athletic endeavours.

Media & Communications

Crystal Valley Foods Miami Operation Earns Organic Handler Certification

Dec 4, 2018 7:00 AM ET

Crystal Valley Foods (Crystal Valley) has received the organic handler certification at its warehouse and distribution center in Miami Florida. The certification was issued by SCS Global Services (SCS).

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Shire Recognized for Environmental Leadership

Dec 3, 2018 5:05 PM ET

On November 14, 2018, Shire was honored with the 2018 SEAL Environmental Initiative Award for its leadership and commitment to sustainable business practices. The SEAL (Sustainability, Environmental Achievement & Leadership) Awards celebrate companies that embrace ethical responsibility to drive environmental leadership and change. The 2018 Award specifically recognized companies for their environmental impact, innovation, investment, and insight.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

In a New Economic Era, Workforce of Future Requires Companies to Rethink Employee Experience

Dec 3, 2018 4:15 PM ET

According to a new report Making work more meaningful: Building a fulfilling employee experience, published by CECP: The CEO Force for Good, Imperative, and PwC, the early days of a “Fourth Industrial Revolution” require a new standard for the employee experience around higher meaning and fulfillment at work. A staggering majority of employees believe that achieving fulfillment at work is possible – 96% of those surveyed.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank Enables the Rehabilitation of Affordable Seniors Housing in Puyallup, WA

Dec 3, 2018 2:30 PM ET

KeyBank provided and arranged both construction and permanent financing to support the Senior Housing Assistant Group (SHAG) with the acquisition and rehabilitation of Sunset Garden Apartments, an affordable seniors housing property serving those aged 62 or older in Puyallup, WA.

Education

"Let’s Train Humans First….Before We Train Machines"

Dec 3, 2018 2:05 PM ET

We humans are at the absurd stage in our technological evolution when we seem to have abandoned our common sense. Billions are spent by governments, corporations and investors in training computer-based algorithms (i.e. computer programs) in today’s mindless rush to create so-called "artificial" intelligence, widely advertised as AI. Meanwhile, training our children and their brains (already superior to computer algorithms) is under-funded, schools are dilapidated, sited in run-down, often polluted areas while our teachers are poorly paid and need greater respect. How did our national priorities get so skewed?

Diversity & Inclusion

Scotiabank Video: Today is International Day of People with Disabilities

Dec 3, 2018 2:05 PM ET

Environment

Ray C. Anderson Foundation's Grant to Emory University Supports Statewide Climate Consortium Co-Founded With the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech

Dec 3, 2018 1:45 PM ET

As many nations are meeting about climate impacts in Katowice, Poland, for COP24, and just over a week after the release of the U.S. National Climate Assessment Report, nonprofits and university leaders in Georgia are choosing not to take the "wait and see" posiiton. Instead, they are forging ahead to ensure that Georgians are educated on the issue and provided with the best tools and research to take the lead in climate action.