U.S. Chamber Foundation Names Winners of 15th Annual Corporate Citizenship Awards

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 21, 2014 /3BL Media/ - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center last night recognized eight companies for their accomplishments in corporate citizenship during the 15th annual Corporate Citizenship Awards. The awards program honors businesses for their significant positive impacts in communities around the world.“The winners of this year’s Citizens Awards illustrate how every day businesses serve as a powerful force for good,” U.S. Chamber Foundation President John R. McKernan said. “It’s an honor to recognize these exceptional companies as we celebrate 15 years of corporate citizenship excellence.”The Chamber Foundation presented awards in eight categories:

• Best Corporate Steward – Large Business: UnitedHealth Group – A commitment to creating a brighter future for healthcare permeates the company culture at UnitedHealth Group. In 2013, 81 percent of employees and 98 percent of executives performed community volunteer work, for a total of 430,000 hours. Annually, the company also gives more than $60 million to support philanthropic and charitable work around the world. 
• Best Corporate Steward – Small and Mid-Market Business: Constant Contact — With the Cares4Kids program, all of the company’s paying customers may sponsor a youth-focused nonprofit to receive a Constant Contact account, free of charge. Last year, the company contributed more than $3.5 million through Cares4Kids. 
• Best Commitment to Education Program: The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. — In 2004, PNC launched PNC Grow Up Great and PNC Crezca con Éxito (GREAT), a bilingual initiative to help prepare children for success in school and life. GREAT has served more than 2 million children, provided professional development to 138,000 teachers, and awarded more than $73 million to nonprofit organizations. 
• Best Community Improvement Program: Capital One Financial Corporation — Since Hurricane Katrina, Capital One Financial Corporation has helped to improve Gentilly, La., a community of the New Orleans area that was hit hard by the disaster. The company partners with 29 local organizations to grow small businesses, create affordable housing, and provide financial education. 
• Best Disaster Response and Community Resilience Program: Cornerstone OnDemand, Inc. — Recognizing the need for accessible, affordable, high-quality training in disaster response, Cornerstone OnDemand created an online platform, DisasterReady.org, to provide sector-specific training in areas including Humanitarianism, Programs/Operations, Protection, Staff Welfare, and Management and Leadership. To date, more than 30,000 people have used the site. 
• Best Economic Empowerment Program: Entergy Corporation – Twenty percent of qualifying workers don’t file for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). To help eligible customers file for and receive the refunds they have earned, Entergy sponsors Super Tax Day Events. In 2013, the company helped more than 13,000 individuals obtain refunds. 
• Best Environmental Stewardship Program: Siemens Foundation – The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, created in 2008, is the premier national sustainability competition that empowers K-12 students to develop environmental solutions that can help change the world. Nearly 100,000 students have participated in the Challenge, with numbers rising each year. 
• Best Health and Wellness Program: Walmart – In 2010, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation launched “Fighting Hunger Together”—a $2 billion commitment to fight hunger in America, through donations of packaged goods and produce. Since its conception, the campaign has given $260 million in cash and $2.6 billion in in-kind donations, delivering on its commitment one year ahead of schedule.

“This year’s winners join a legacy of excellence 15 years in the making,” said Marc DeCourcey, executive director of the Corporate Citizenship Center. “Their work shows the many ways that businesses help create a better world for all.”

Additionally, the Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America (AACCLA) presented the Western Hemisphere Corporate Citizenship Award, which recognizes companies, trade associations, and American Chambers of Commerce with exemplary models of social and civic leadership in Latin America and the Caribbean. This year, AACCLA honored ExxonMobil de Colombia S.A. for its commitment to addressing the key challenge of sustainable development – balancing economic growth, social development, and environmental protection. By designing an approach to corporate citizenship around these three key focus areas, ExxonMobil contributes to broader sustainability objectives and manages the impact of their operations on local economies, societies, and the environment.

The 2014 Citizens Awards ceremony took place at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. More information on this year’s winners is available on the Chamber Foundation’s website.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness by addressing developments that affect our nation, our economy, and the global business environment.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.