Impact & Sustainability News From Leading Brands

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank Provides $17.4 Million in Total Financing for Construction of Affordable Senior Housing in Florida

Jun 4, 2018 6:05 PM ET

KeyBank Community Development Lending & Investment (CDLI) has provided $17.4 million in total financing for the construction of Hammock Ridge II in Spring Hill, FL. Key provided a $13.7 million construction loan and a $3.7 million Freddie Mac Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Forward Commitment.

Social Impact & Volunteering

With Surgery and Modern Technology, Operation Smile Gives Hope and Dignity to Children

Jun 4, 2018 5:10 PM ET

Kids in the Philippines threw rocks and slurs at a 6-year-old boy when he tried to go to school. In Madagascar, an 8-year-old girl was shunned by her village and abandoned by her mother, who couldn’t overcome the stigma of her daughter’s condition. In Morocco, a 12-year-old girl hid in shame at home, so no one could see her face. All three children had a cleft condition, a birth defect that disfigures one in every 500 to 750 babies worldwide. They endured cruelty and isolation for years until a surgery by Operation Smile profoundly changed their lives.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

GLAM4GOOD Mobilizes Influential Brands to Continue Disaster Relief Efforts for Sick Children and Their Families Still Recovering from Hurricane Maria

Jun 4, 2018 4:35 PM ET

GLAM4GOOD, the award-winning, empowerment platform and non-profit organization, headed to Puerto Rico last week to hold an emergency aid initiative in San Juan on Wednesday, May 23rd. This event was planned in response to a request from San Jorge Children’s Hospital to bring help, happiness, and hope to children who are not only dealing with critical illness, but also with the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

U.S. EXIM Bank: A Champion for Jobs

Jun 4, 2018 4:30 PM ET

Brendan Bechtel, chairman and CEO of Bechtel, joined American business leaders in championing a fully functioning Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) to support maintenance and creation of U.S. jobs. After speaking at the 2018 EXIM Conference in April, Brendan Bechtel penned an op-ed for The Hill, an online news source for policy and political views.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Revealing Food's Hidden Costs: New Framework for Food and Agriculture

Jun 4, 2018 4:20 PM ET

A new report released today offers a ground-breaking platform to evaluate the real costs and benefits—including environmental, health, and social impacts—of our agriculture and food systems. This Scientific and Economic Foundations Report provides the basis for a major paradigm shift in how we view and manage our agriculture and food systems, demonstrating how to evaluate not just the visible but also the hidden costs and benefits.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

‘Decision Critical’ – Four ESG Themes Investors Should Be Aware of Right Now

Jun 4, 2018 4:15 PM ET

We’re often asked about the most important ESG themes that investors should consider. As bottom-up, active managers, we unsurprisingly tend to focus on those issues that are most material for each investment case. That said, there are several overarching ESG topics that we believe are increasingly important for investors to be aware of right now.

Diversity & Inclusion

An Important Dialogue: Community Investment Has a Role to Play in a Diversity & Inclusion Strategy

Jun 4, 2018 4:10 PM ET

Are you joining us tomorrow for the 2018 LBG Canada Western Conference, generously hosted by Imperial? Panelists include leaders influencing corporate thinking on abilities, LGBTQ inclusion, Action 92 and Indigenous inclusion and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Diversity & Inclusion

13 Organizations Awarded $12.1 Million From Wells Fargo to Support Diverse Small Businesses

Jun 4, 2018 4:00 PM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

CIT Kicks Off Nationwide Volunteer Month

Jun 4, 2018 3:45 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

New Epsilon Bulk Repack Room Dedicated at Food Bank’s West Suburban Center

Jun 4, 2018 3:10 PM ET

On May 31, Northern Illinois Food Bank dedicated the Epsilon Bulk Repack Room, celebrating its ongoing, generous partnership with Epsilon, an Alliance Data company.

Research, Reports & Publications

Nielsen Is Redefining Value

Jun 4, 2018 3:00 PM ET

Nielsen is a leading global provider of information and insights about consumers and markets worldwide, fusing science and data so that its clients—manufacturers and retailers of consumer goods, media companies and advertising agencies—can understand what’s happening today, what will happen tomorrow and how to act on this knowledge to efficiently deliver results that matter. Through this report, Nielsen directly links the importance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations to its critical business issues, ensuring that this alignment inspires continuous improvement and positive change over the long-term.

Innovation & Technology

Amgen Foundation and Harvard Team up to Offer Free Online Science Education Platform

Jun 4, 2018 2:40 PM ET

The Amgen Foundation and Harvard University today announced plans to launch a free online science education platform uniquely designed to level the playing field for aspiring scientists. The LabXchange platform, which will launch with a focus in biology, will offer digital instruction and virtual lab experiences to high school and college students, enabling them to gain meaningful exposure to the scientific process. It will also include online networking focused on collaboration and mentoring.

Diversity & Inclusion

AEG Releases "Infinite Diversity" Video to Support Pride Month

Jun 4, 2018 1:40 PM ET

In support of LGBT Pride Month, AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company, is creating awareness around diversity and inclusion with the release of its “Infinite Diversity” video that underscores the organization’s belief in unity and diversity www.aegbetterasone.com. Launching today, the campaign encourages employees and fans to view the video and share it on their social channels via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #BetterAsOne.

Media & Communications

Food & Ag Sector – Sustainability Is in Focus From Farm-to-Table As Companies Make Progress / Stakeholders Say “More”

Jun 4, 2018 1:00 PM ET

Hey, a Cuppa Joe – the morning treat for many people around the world. That first hot cup of dark coffee can set the tone for us for the day. And when our spirits (and energy) may lag, the cuppa joe can perk us up again for a while at any time of day. But – how many of us give thought to how that wonderful dark liquid arrived in our grocery stores, at the local Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts or other coffee counters? The Ecologist took a close look at the business of coffee recently and their commentary (and report on the industry) is our Top Story for you this week.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The Wendy's Way: Supporting National Foster Care Month

Jun 4, 2018 12:25 PM ET

When some people think of May, their minds are immediately drawn to Cinco de Mayo, or a timely Star Wars joke on May Fourth. However, while we love a good fiesta and we’re no “wookies” when it comes to making a pun – see what we did there? – we think the most important thing about May is that it’s National Foster Care Month: a month where we focus even more than usual on driving positive change within the foster care system through activities that support the adoption journey.

Health & Healthcare

Watch | Meet Josh Sundquist: Cancer Survivor, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Ambassador, and Supporter of the My Special Aflac Duck

Jun 4, 2018 12:05 PM ET

Education

Illinois High School Students Showcase Robust STEM Knowledge for U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos During 2017-2018 School Year

Jun 4, 2018 12:00 PM ET

Canton, Illinois, is leading the way with science, technology, math and engineering curriculum. Thanks to a grant from Project Lead The Way (PLTW) made possible by Astellas USA Foundation, teachers in Canton High School are changing the shape of STEM education for the next generation. With hands-on and real-world curricular programming and teacher training, students have better access to the tools needed to fuel their imaginations and pursue STEM-related careers.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Green Mountain Energy Sun Club Celebrates Nine Nonprofit Projects With Cross-Country Summer Road Trip

Jun 4, 2018 12:00 PM ET

Green Mountain Energy Sun Club is charging up and setting out on a cross-country trip to celebrate the completion of its nine new projects. The nonprofit organization will be unveiling $1.3 million in innovative sustainability-related donations to nine nonprofits located across Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.

Media & Communications

The Hershey Company Joins Ceres Company Network

Jun 4, 2018 12:00 PM ET

The sustainability nonprofit organization Ceres announced today that The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) has joined the Ceres Company Network. As a new member of the Ceres Company Network, Hershey joins more than 50 companies, including dozens of other Fortune 500 firms that recognize the benefits of integrating sustainability into their core business strategies to drive innovation and build long-term resilience.

Innovation & Technology

SoftBank and GM Join Forces on Large-Scale AV Deployment

Jun 4, 2018 11:45 AM ET

In the next critical move toward the commercialization of autonomous vehicles, this week General Motors announced an historic deal with SoftBank Vision Fund. The world’s largest tech and ridesharing investor will invest $2.25 billion in GM Cruise, our recently formed majority owned subsidiary. With the addition of $1.1 billion from GM, the funds will drive large AV commercialization beginning in 2019.

Innovation & Technology

Multipliers of Prosperity: Status Quo or Game Changer?

Jun 4, 2018 11:35 AM ET

The financial technology, or fintech, revolution is gaining momentum in the MENA (Middle East/North Africa) region. Fintech investments in MENA totaled $18 million in 2016. In 2017, that figure was surpassed by a single $20 million round raised by the payment platform Paytabs, leading to heightened interest among investors: Wamda Research Lab, for example, puts total 2017 fintech investments in MENA at more than $50 million, a 270 percent year-over-year increase.

Events, Media & Communications

Taproot Foundation Appoints Lindsay Firestone Gruber as President and CEO

Jun 4, 2018 11:30 AM ET

The Taproot Foundation Board of Directors announced today the appointment of Lindsay Firestone Gruber as the organization’s new President and CEO. Gruber has been on staff with Taproot for 14 years and has served as the organization’s Chief Program Officer since 2016.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

The Impact of Las Vegas Sands and Sands Bethlehem's Investment in Workforce Development

Jun 4, 2018 11:25 AM ET

Sands Academy integrates best practices and the most successful training programs for implementation throughout our regions, creating a standard of excellence across the company. In the United States, one new program exemplifying our dedication to Team Member advancement in the hospitality industry was the new “Leadership Fundamentals” course as part of the Sands Academy Elevate Series, a leadership development program designed for managers and supervisors at The Venetian, The Palazzo, and Sands Expo & Convention Center.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Six Homes for 6-year-old Boy in Foster Care

Jun 4, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Aiden was just 6-years old and had already been in six different foster homes. That’s when he met a counselor named Craig. Craig could see that Aiden was lacking the love and attention that he needed to thrive. He knew that he and his husband Edward could provide that safe, supportive and loving home. This past April, the family celebrated the one year anniversary of Aiden’s adoption.

Environment

INFOGRAPHIC | Learn About Parks for Pollinators

Jun 4, 2018 10:25 AM ET

To address the critical need to increase pollinator habitat for beneficial insects, such as honey bees, monarch butterflies and others, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) have teamed up on a new “Parks for Pollinators” campaign aimed at raising public awareness of pollinator health and encouraging local action through public parks and pollinator gardens.