Why a Perpetual Purpose Trust Model Works for Sustainable Investing Firms

GreenMoney Journal — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:50:00 -0400

by Carrie VanWinkle, CFP and Sylvia Panek, financial advisor at Natural Investments

Two years ago, Natural Investments became the first U.S. financial advisory firm to convert into a Perpetual Purpose Trust. This was more than a legal milestone — it was an ethics-driven decision about leadership, equity, and mission in an industry struggling to align growth with values.

A Perpetual Purpose Trust (PPT) is a non-charitable, irrevocable trust created to steward a business in service of a clearly defined purpose. In our case, the newly formed Natural Investments Purpose Trust purchased the firm from six senior advisors who had owned the business under a traditional partnership model. From that moment forward, the company ceased to be something that could be bought and sold on the open market. Instead, it became permanently held in trust for its mission.

For a firm focused on sustainable, responsible investing, this mattered. We hired legal and financial consultants to help us navigate the complexities of creating the trust, rewriting our bylaws, and restructuring governance. Internally, a cross-functional governance committee worked for months to shape the trust agreement and operating framework. Sylvia served on the governance committee, while Carrie was elected to the first Trust Steward Committee — the leadership body of the new trust — and each of us has come to appreciate just how much time, emotional labor, and organizational commitment this transition truly requires. It has been demanding work. It has also been some of the most meaningful leadership work of our careers.

Read their full article here - https://greenmoney.com/why-a-perpetual-purpose-trust-model-works-for-sustainable-investing-firms

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Guiding Customers on Their Net Zero Banking Path

GreenMoney Journal — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0400

Article and Interview by Amanda Theisen of Sunrise Banks

Laura Wildenborg’s background in environmental sustainability takes center stage in her current role as VP of Strategic Lending at Sunrise Banks, a values-based community bank with locations in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She is the driving force behind the company’s Net Zero Banking program, an innovative way for customers to use their accounts to positively impact climate change.

Over the last several years, Wildenborg focused on developing a strategy for the bank to reach net-zero carbon emissions across the company by 2050. She recently stated “I analyzed the financed emissions of our loan portfolio, which highlighted the critical role of decarbonization in climate action. That work helped me see how the relationship between deposits and lending could be leveraged to support our customers’ carbon reduction efforts while advancing our bank’s own net zero goals.”

Her ideas for Net Zero Banking go even further. With Net Zero Deposits, customers can direct their money towards Net Zero Financing loans for climate-friendly projects, such as energy-efficient building upgrades, electric vehicles, or solar panel installations.

Read the full interview and listen to the Social Currency podcast here - https://greenmoney.com/how-laura-wildenborg-is-guiding-customers-on-net-zero-banking-path

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CVS Health: Thank You! Gussie Belle Commons Grand Opening Salem, Oregon

CVS Health — Thu, 9 Apr 2026 08:30:00 -0400

On March 11, 2026, CVS Health proudly celebrated the Grand Opening of Gussie Belle Commons in Salem, Oregon, alongside our valued colleagues, local leaders, community organizations, development partners, and residents. The event marked the opening of a new community featuring 120 intentionally designed affordable housing units for families earning up to 30% and 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI).

Co-developers Home First and Green Light Development have created a beautiful and welcoming community for families, offering energy-efficient apartments and a wide range of amenities. These include a clubhouse with a kitchen, a playground, courtyards, on-site parking with EV charging, bike storage, and on-site management and supportive services. Resident services, provided by Seed of Faith Ministries and the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, are designed to support long-term housing stability by connecting residents to employment opportunities, benefits, and resources that promote overall well-being.

It was truly inspiring to celebrate this achievement with everyone who helped bring this vision to life, including CREA, Home First, Green Light Development, Seed of Faith Ministries, the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, First Commercial Real Estate, the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department, and our dedicated colleagues from CVS Health and Aetna.

Additionally, in the days leading up to the Grand Opening, volunteers creatively wrapped useful household items and distributed them to the residents of Gussie Belle Commons in beautiful welcome home baskets.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating this milestone. We deeply appreciate these moments and are grateful to all who contributed to making the Grand Opening possible. This achievement reflects the unwavering commitment and collaboration of our colleagues across CVS Health and Aetna.

KeyBank Foundation Supports EMMA and Beechwood Businesses with $300,000 Investment in Connected Communities

KeyBank — Wed, 8 Apr 2026 14:00:00 -0400

The KeyBank Foundation is investing $300,000 in Connected Communities to support small businesses and commercial property owners located in the EMMA and Beechwood neighborhoods through its Small Business Fund.

Supporting small businesses through targeted investment

The Small Business Fund, a new project within Connected Communities’ Economic Empowerment pillar, provides grants to support capital improvements, including façade upgrades, lighting, signage, interior repairs, accessibility enhancements, and safety improvements—immediately enhancing the appearance, functionality, and walkability of the corridors. Grants will range from $2,500 - $10,000. Participating businesses will engage in peer support through Founder’s Tables at the Connect Lab, along with connections to additional funding opportunities and business resources.

This neighborhood corridor approach helps drive improvements that lead to measurable business stability, increased customer activity, and stronger commercial presence for locally owned enterprises.

Building economic momentum in EMMA and Beechwood

“Local small businesses create jobs, energize neighborhoods, and keep commercial corridors active,” said Vince Lecce, KeyBank Rochester Market President. “This investment pairs targeted capital improvements with hands-on guidance so entrepreneurs can strengthen operations, attract more customers, and remain rooted in EMMA and Beechwood. It’s an approach designed to build business stability today and economic momentum for the community tomorrow.”

At the community level, the fund will help reduce vacancies, activate storefronts, and improve safety and visibility along key blocks. By investing directly in existing businesses—and pairing that investment with practical guidance, partner support and warm handoffs—the project builds a self-sustaining network of entrepreneurs who can grow, collaborate, and remain rooted in place. This work helps lay the foundation for long-term economic vitality and positions Connected Communities as the community quarterback guiding equitable commercial revitalization in EMMA and Beechwood.

Connected Communities’ Place-Based Approach

As the Community Quarterback, the organization builds on neighborhood strengths and partners with residents to implement the Comprehensive Neighborhood Plan—advancing cradle-to-career education, mixed-income housing, community wellness, and economic empowerment so families and businesses can thrive.

“This investment from the KeyBank Foundation allows us to strengthen the small businesses that make our neighborhoods vibrant and economically resilient,” said Dr. LaShunda Leslie-Smith, Executive Director of Connected Communities. “This program aims to stabilize and revitalize neighborhood corridors while reinforcing the role of small businesses as anchors of community life. By supporting physical improvements and providing hands-on technical assistance, we are helping local entrepreneurs build businesses that are visible, welcoming, and positioned for long-term success. When our neighborhood storefronts thrive, the entire community benefits—businesses grow stronger, more resources become available to residents, and aesthetic improvements help enhance the value and appeal of surrounding homes.”

“This investment reflects KeyBank’s commitment to locally led, place-based solutions,” said Chiwuike Owunwanne, KeyBank’s Corporate Responsibility Officer in Rochester. “By pairing capital with technical support through trusted community partners, we’re helping small businesses in EMMA and Beechwood strengthen their operations and remain anchors in their neighborhoods for the long term.”

Building Impact Across Rochester

This effort builds on KeyBank’s broader history of community-driven philanthropy, economic mobility initiatives, and inclusive banking investments. Since 2017, KeyBank has invested more than $1.2 billion in Rochester, supporting affordable housing, small business and home lending, and transformational philanthropic initiatives.

Learn more about how KeyBank helps clients, teammates, and communities thrive by making meaningful investments in the places it’s proud to call home.

Mastercard: A Billion Connected: How We’re Empowering Even More People on the Road to Financial Health

Mastercard — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 10:30:00 -0400

Originally published by Mastercard

By: Jon Huntsman, Vice Chair and President, Strategic Growth, Mastercard

Jorn Lambert, Chief Product Officer, Mastercard

Over the past decade, nothing has reshaped the global economy more than digitalization. Nearly 80% of adults worldwide now have a bank or mobile money account, and 84% of adults in low‑ and middle‑income countries have a mobile phone, according to the 2025 World Bank Global Findex. Millions of people and small businesses are part of the digital economy today who weren’t a generation ago — with new ways to earn, pay, save and grow.

These gains matter. But they also contain a lesson: Access alone doesn’t create stability.

Even as connectivity has expanded, more than two billion people remain underbanked or unbanked. And for many who have entered the formal financial system, financial resilience is still fragile. In emerging economies, only slightly more than half of adults could reliably come up with extra money within 30 days to handle an emergency like a job loss, illness or natural disaster, the Findex found. At the same time, cyber threats, scams and fraud are rising, undermining confidence and potentially limiting participation, especially for the small businesses that are the beating heart of their communities.

The digital economy only works when people and businesses feel safe participating — and confident it works for them every day.

Where we've been

More than ten years ago, Mastercard set an ambitious goal to bring 500 million people previously excluded from the financial system into the digital economy. In 2020, amid a rapidly shifting global landscape, we doubled that commitment.

Today, we’re proud to share that Mastercard has helped connect one billion people and more than 65 million small businesses to the digital economy. That reflects a decade of innovation — in how we drive access to financial products, such as debit and prepaid cards and expand our acceptance network, in the way we design digital products and programs for maximum impact, and in the creative partnerships we forged with governments, NGOs, fintechs, telcos and community organizations to bring these innovations to market.

Those efforts brought people into the system, but they also showed us something important: While access remains critical, lasting impact requires helping people move beyond access toward consistent, confident use of digital tools that can create greater financial health.

Our next commitment

That’s why Mastercard is now committing to connect and protect 500 million more people and small businesses on their pathways to financial health by 2030.

Financial health doesn’t happen all at once. It’s a journey, from obtaining a payment credential and building transaction history to accessing more advanced services like credit, loans or insurance that help people absorb shocks and manage risks. Paths may differ, but secure infrastructure, confident digital engagement, and an expanding credit profile are what make financial resilience possible.

This shift reflects what is continuing to unfold in the world today: more digital participation alongside rising cyber risks. It also reflects what we’ve learned: consumers who actively use digital financial tools are more likely to adopt additional products, build resilience and engage more deeply in the formal economy.

Small businesses are central to this commitment. They are engines of growth and inclusion yet are increasingly targeted by cybercrime. When they can participate safely and confidently, they strengthen the communities they serve.

Expanding access with purpose

For many people, the first step into the digital economy isn’t a full‑service bank account. It’s a simple, secure way to receive money and pay for everyday needs. That’s why we designed Essential Debit and Essential Prepaid programs for underbanked and unbanked consumers, with the flexibility to handle everything from wages and government disbursements to daily purchases securely backed by the trust and reach of Mastercard’s global acceptance network. These programs are already live in Nigeria and Colombia, with more countries coming online in the months ahead, to help move people from occasional participation to confident, consistent use.

Supporting confident, everyday usage

Access delivers its greatest impact when digital tools are practical and trusted in daily life. People who move from basic access to consistent use generate significantly more economic activity — 342% more, according to one Mastercard study in the Philippines — and are far more likely to adopt multiple products over time. And by enabling acceptance and expanding issuance for small businesses and supporting a growing network of digital wallets and partners, we are building ecosystems where digital participation feels intuitive, not intimidating.

Strengthening security, vital to resilience

For small business owners, a cyber incident is more than a technical dilemma — it can mean lost revenue, broken trust or even the end of their entrepreneurial dream, which can be fatal to their financial health. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, Mastercard is scaling partnerships, capabilities and tools that help small businesses better understand and manage cyber risk, build awareness and foster a culture of cyber readiness.

Advancing financial health through collaboration

Moving beyond access requires shared insight and collaboration. That’s why Mastercard recently launched the Global Financial Health Coalition, bringing together financial institutions, NGOs, telecommunications companies, wallet providers and other industry leaders to turn knowledge into action. Guided by principles of connection, protection and empowerment, the coalition focuses on advancing healthy financial behaviors, improving how financial health is measured, and supporting long‑term resilience for consumers and small businesses across regions.

Why this work matters more than ever

Make no mistake: The digital economy is the global economy, and opportunity depends on secure, trusted participation. Without trust, people and businesses slow down. With it, innovation compounds and opportunity travels farther.

The goal isn’t simply a larger digital economy. It’s one people can rely on — where participation is safe and progress is possible, even probable, because trust is built into every step. Our role is to build the road that makes the digital economy work for everyone by leveraging our innovation, network, partnerships and convening power.

Reaching one billion people showed what collaboration and purpose could achieve. The work ahead is about going further — helping the next 500 million people and small businesses build confidence, stability and opportunity.

Continue reading here.

Follow along Mastercard's journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.

CVS Health: Thank You! City Hall Place Grand Opening Kansas City, Kansas

CVS Health — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 08:30:00 -0400

On March 12, 2026, CVS Health proudly celebrated the Grand Opening of City Hall Place in Kansas City, Kansas, alongside our valued colleagues, local leaders, community organizations, development partners, and residents. This event marked the opening of a new community that blends new construction with the adaptive reuse of the former Kansas City Hall, offering 104 thoughtfully designed affordable housing units for families earning up to 40% and 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI).

Developer Eagle Point Development created a high-quality, dynamic, and affordable housing community that honors the historic legacy of the former City Hall while introducing modern design elements and amenities. Residents have access to a business center, community room, picnic and barbecue area, storm shelter, on site laundry, playground, and bike parking. City Hall Place is centrally located and connects residents to walkable amenities that support community engagement, growth, and opportunity.

It was inspiring to celebrate this milestone with the many partners who helped bring this vision to life, including WNC, Eagle Point Development, Sugar Creek Capital, the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation, our dedicated colleagues from CVS Health, Aetna, and Oak Street Health, as well as giveaways from the NWSL's Kansas City Current.

The day before the Grand Opening, we assembled and distributed 104 Welcome Home gifts for residents of City Hall Place, each including a stainless-steel cooking pot with a Walmart gift card inside. A huge thank you to all of our colleagues who volunteered. This effort would not have been possible without you!

Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating this important milestone. We value these moments and are grateful to all who contributed to making the Grand Opening a success. This accomplishment reflects the strong commitment and collaboration of our colleagues across CVS Health, Aetna, and Oak Street Health.

Q1 2026 Newsletter: What Small Businesses Are Telling Us About The Economy

GoDaddy — Fri, 3 Apr 2026 13:10:00 -0400

Read the full report from GoDaddy's Small Business Research Lab
Newsletter originally published on GoDaddy LinkedIn

Subscribe Today for Quarterly Insights That Power Small Business Growth.

In the fourth quarter of 2025, GoDaddy’s Participation Index rose year-over-year, capturing renewed growth in digital small business activity nationally. Historically, increases in the index have been associated with stronger payroll employment growth and declines in unemployment within three to four quarters.

We’ve always known small businesses are the backbone of the economy. What’s new is evidence that small business formation, especially the rise of digital entrepreneurship, may also help anticipate where parts of the economy are headed.

The report, “What Small Businesses Tell Us About The Economy That Wall Street Can’t,” analyzes national data from 1990–2025 and incorporates real-time digital entrepreneurship data from GoDaddy. It finds that while stock market returns are statistically linked to economic outcomes, those relationships are relatively modest. By comparison, small business formation shows a stronger relationship with GDP growth, payroll employment, and unemployment — and often appears earlier in the data.

"This report is an important contribution to how we understand the real economy because it shines a spotlight on where Main Street employers and their employees live and work.

By pairing decades of macroeconomic data with GoDaddy’s real-time view of digital entrepreneurs, these data show what our local chamber of commerce partners see every day: small businesses are one of the most direct and timely signals of economic health in communities across America."

– Curtis Dubay, Chief Economist at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Read the full article and paper

Microbusiness Data Hub: Latest Updates Now Live

Our Data Hub is refreshed through Q4/December 2025 across the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia. The update includes:

Monthly microbusiness density trends
The latest U.S. Microbusiness Activity Index
Global e-commerce sector rankings by country

Below, you’ll also find the top five e-commerce industries by country:

To take a look at the newest findings and see what’s shifting: Download the full dataset

In the News

United States

The Real Reason Entrepreneurship Is Booming Right Now – Inc.

Entrepreneurship is accelerating as more people seek flexibility, autonomy, and purpose in their work. Inc. highlights a broader shift away from traditional career paths, with individuals leveraging digital tools and changing economic conditions to start and sustain their own businesses. https://www.inc.com/victor-w-hwang/the-real-reason-entrepreneurship-is-booming-right-now/91297540

Meet The Small Business Savant Mixing Art And Commerce – Forbes

Forbes spotlights Alexandra Rosen, global head of GoDaddy’s Small Business Research Lab, explaining today’s entrepreneurship surge. Alexandra frames the boom as a shift toward passion-led and accessible business creation, where founders are increasingly turning personal interests into income-generating ventures. https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevebaltin/2026/02/27/meet-alex-rosen-the-small-business-savant-mixing-art-and-commerce/

United Kingdom

A Pint Down The Pub Inspired Me To Make A Life Changing Decision – Mirror

New research reveals that nearly one in five Brits have come up with a business idea while at the pub, with many turning those casual conversations into real ventures. Younger generations are especially likely to translate social moments into entrepreneurial action, reinforcing the role of community spaces as informal startup incubators. https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/a-pint-down-pub-inspired-36716262

How The [TV Show] Traitors Has Inspired A Surge In Small Businesses In The Scottish Highlands – This Is Money

A surge in small businesses across the Scottish Highlands is being linked to the cultural impact of The Traitors. GoDaddy data shows microbusiness density rising sharply in areas where the show is filmed, with some regions seeing growth of over 70%. https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/smallbusiness/article-15635503/How-Traitors-inspired-surge-small-businesses-Scottish-Highlands.html

Pricing Water Risk and Scaling Climate Resilience

NatureVest — Wed, 1 Apr 2026 16:15:00 -0400

How are investors rethinking opportunity as water and climate dynamics reshape real‑asset markets?

A new episode of Bloomberg Intelligence’s ESG Currents Podcast explores this question with Cat Burns (NatureVest, The Nature Conservancy), Alyssa Go (RRG Capital Management), and host Melanie Rua. The discussion explores incorporating water risk, climate constraints, and natural‑system resilience into decision‑making across agriculture and other real‑asset portfolios.

Highlights include:

The market is starting to catch up to what’s already happening on the ground. Climate shocks and material shifts in growing conditions like temperature and water availability aren’t theoretical, they’re hitting yields, operations, and bottom lines in real time.
Water security is emerging as one of the most critical issues for producers. How water is valued (and managed) is changing quickly.
“Nature as infrastructure” isn’t just a concept. From groundwater recharge to healthy soils, natural systems can reduce risk and stabilize returns in very tangible ways.
With the right structure, investing in resilience can drive financial performance and better outcomes for communities and ecosystems.

Listen to the episode:
Apple: https://lnkd.in/eZZm4hdy
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gfiJPgGE

This conversation offers a timely look at how the investment community is beginning to more consistently assess, price, and manage water‑related risk, and how science‑driven, resilience‑focused collaborations like this can help bridge the gap.

About NatureVest:

NatureVest is the impact investing and nature finance team of The Nature Conservancy (TNC), one of the world’s leading environmental organizations. The team designs and executes innovative financial products and provides advisory services that align private capital with measurable conservation outcomes. Since its founding in 2014, NatureVest has helped mobilize over $4 billion in committed capital for projects that address climate change, biodiversity loss, and community resilience. Across more than 25 countries, these projects have collectively avoided or sequestered 5.1 million metric tons of CO₂e, improved management on over 8 million acres of land, and protected 172,000 square miles of ocean. For more information, visit www.naturevest.org.

CVS Health Foundation Invests $2.24 Million To Strengthen Community Health in Charlotte’s Historic West End

CVS Health — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 08:30:00 -0400

Originally published on CVS Health Company News

Charlotte, N.C., March 30, 2026 — The CVS Health Foundation recently announced the launch of its Health Zone in Charlotte with a $2.24 million investment in the Westside Wellness Collab, led by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Charlotte to expand access to health care, healthy food and chronic condition support in Charlotte’s Historic West End.

“Families deserve access to quality care, healthy food and the support networks that make long‑term wellness possible,” said Jenny McColloch, President of the CVS Health Foundation. “Our support helps strengthen the Historic West End’s existing network of trusted organizations and gives residents connected care that is accessible, community‑centered and designed around their day-to-day needs."

What is a Health Zone

By bringing together local health care providers and trusted community organizations, CVS Health Foundation’s Health Zones make it easier for residents to get connected to primary care, nutritious food, chronic‑condition support and other essential services – all in one coordinated effort. The goal is to meet people where they are, address the real‑life challenges that affect their health and help individuals get the care, resources and stability they need to live healthier lives.

Why this support matters for the community

The Historic West End is a strong and vibrant community, but it continues to face some of the most significant health and social challenges in the region:

Chronic conditions remain widespread, with nearly half of U.S. adults living with high blood pressure, according to the CDC — a challenge reflected across North Carolina and Mecklenburg County
Several west‑side neighborhoods in Charlotte are designated by the USDA as low‑income, low‑access areas, meaning many residents live more than ½ mile from a full‑service grocery store – a key indicator of limited food access in urban communities.
Older adults are a fast‑growing population in the Charlotte region. According to the North Carolina Office of State Budget & Management, Mecklenburg County’s 65+ population is projected to nearly double – from 138,129 in 2021 to 262,579 in 2041- reflecting a significant increase in aging residents across the area.

These realities make it harder for families to stay healthy and highlight the need for coordinated, community‑based support to improve access to health care, expand healthy‑food options and help residents manage chronic health conditions.

How the model works

The $2.24 million investment will help power the work of LISC Charlotte and provide program funding for Care Ring, Charlotte Community Services Association (CSA) and Deep Roots Community Planning Solutions (Deep Roots CPS Farm). It will also support food‑access efforts, mobile clinic operations and the day‑to‑day administrative needs that make the collaboration run smoothly.

Together, through the Westside Wellness Collab, families in the Historic West End will have easier access to mobile health screenings, healthy food, and chronic‑condition support – all in one coordinated place. LISC Charlotte, Care Ring, Charlotte Community Services Association (CSA) and Deep Roots Farm Foundation will work side by side to offer a connected set of health and social‑service programs, including:

A centralized hub model for co‑located community services located at Charlotte CSA, First Baptist Church West, 1801 Oaklawn Ave., Charlotte, NC 28216
Mobile health clinics offering screenings, preventive care and follow‑up support
Fresh food distribution and community‑based nutrition education
Workshops and trainings to build long‑term food‑access solutions
Care coordination to help residents navigate medical, behavioral and social needs
Support for partners to strengthen staffing, operations and long‑term program sustainability
Integrated service delivery designed to improve continuity of care across providers

“We’re proud to have helped secure this transformative investment from the CVS Health Foundation and grateful for their partnership in advancing health and well-being in the Historic West End,” said Ralphine Caldwell, Senior Executive Director of LISC Charlotte. “We also appreciate Care Ring, CSA and Deep Roots for their community leadership and collaboration to implement this work over the next three years, strengthening access to coordinated care, healthy food and essential services for individuals in our community.”

Expected Impact

Together, this collaboration of organizations will provide comprehensive services to Historic West End residents who face challenges that may prohibit them from accessing services, such as transportation needs. The Westside Wellness Collab aims to:

Reduce preventable hospitalizations
Improve key health outcomes, including blood pressure, cholesterol and BMI
Connect residents to integrated medical, nutrition, and social services
Decrease food insecurity in the Historic West End (HWE)
Expand access to preventive care through mobile health clinics offering screenings and referrals
Increase community knowledge with on‑site health screenings and nutrition education
Strengthen the coordination and resilience of the regional food system

“Improving access to quality health care for our residents is one of Mecklenburg County’s top priorities, and partnerships like this play a critical role in advancing that mission, because we cannot be successful without the contributions of our corporate and private sector partners,” said Mecklenburg County Manager Mike Bryant. “When trusted organizations, like the CVS Health Foundation and LISC Charlotte come together with our local nonprofits, we’re not just addressing challenges; we’re opening doors to opportunity, stability and long-term wellness. This investment has the potential to yield significant dividends for our Historic West End community.”

CVS Health’s Commitment to North Carolina

The launch of the Charlotte Health Zone builds on CVS Health’s long‑standing investment in communities across North Carolina. Today, CVS Health operates more than 360 locations statewide and employs more than 10,000 colleagues in North Carolina, serving communities across urban, suburban, and rural areas.

CVS Health’s operations generated an estimated $4.9 billion in economic impact in North Carolina in fiscal year 2024, supporting more than 25,000 jobs statewide through direct employment, supply chain activity, and related economic activity. In addition, CVS Health supported $350 million in state and local taxes, helping fund essential public services across the state. Beyond economic impact, CVS Health contributed over $22 million to community initiatives in North Carolina and supported local causes through thousands of volunteer hours by colleagues, reinforcing the company’s commitment to building healthier, more resilient communities.

Recognizing that stable housing is foundational to health, CVS Health also invests in solutions that strengthen community well-being. Recently, the company celebrated the grand opening of Trella Uptown, a mixed income community located in the center of Charlotte’s business district. Through CVS Health’s over $15 million investment in the property, Trella Uptown will enhance quality of life for essential workers and promote upward economic mobility by enabling residents to live near where they work. The investment in Trella Uptown builds on the company’s long history of community support in North Carolina, with CVS Health having invested $56 million in affordable housing across the state, helping to create, preserve and renovate 2,505 housing units.

The company also offers free health screenings to individuals nationwide through its Project Health initiative. Last year, CVS Health hosted 42 Project Health events, which saw over 1,440 participants and provided 6,203 screenings in North Carolina.

Together, these investments reflect CVS Health’s integrated approach to improving health outcomes, strengthening economic mobility and building healthier, more resilient communities across North Carolina.

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About CVS Health Foundation

The CVS Health Foundation has a proud history of supporting local communities across various regions throughout the United States. The Foundation is dedicated to uniting communities to address health challenges in collaboration with a wide range of nonprofit grantees. The Foundation collaborates on programs that enhance health outcomes, with focus areas including mental well-being, healthy aging, maternal health, health impacts from extreme weather and chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It also helps lay the groundwork for a healthier future by assisting organizations that address food security and promote educational opportunities. Additionally, the CVS Health Foundation supports CVS Health colleagues by backing the causes that are most meaningful to them through its Matching Gifts, Volunteer Challenge Grants and Children of Colleague Scholarship programs.

About LISC

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is a 40-year Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) committed to comprehensive community development, including investing capital and resources into small businesses, economic development, affordable housing, health & safety, sports & recreation, and education, as well as building the capacity of non-profit partners. LISC Charlotte brings together resources from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to strengthen Charlotte’s economy and expand opportunities for all residents to thrive. We build partnerships and forge alliances that unite community efforts, drive change and promote lasting prosperity and well-being across the city. Since opening its office in March 2019, LISC Charlotte has invested over $106 million in Charlotte. For more, visit www.lisc.org/charlotte.

Media Contact

Courtney Tavener
401-712-3698
Courtney.Tavener@CVSHealth.com

KeyBank & CEI Partnership Brings Growth to Maine

KeyBank — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 09:15:00 -0400

Small businesses are the backbone of Maine’s rural economy. For many local entrepreneurs, the path to capital and sustained growth begins with trusted community organizations like Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI), a Maine-based Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) dedicated to building an economy that works for everyone. CEI’s integrated model combining financing, business advising, and policy solutions helps entrepreneurs access the resources and guidance they need to thrive, particularly in rural markets and among founders who face barriers to traditional capital.

KeyBank is proud to support CEI’s mission through significant multiyear investments that strengthen its capacity to serve entrepreneurs statewide. This work builds on a $450,000 multiyear commitment (2017–2020) that supported CEI’s small business lending and advisory services, driving business growth and job retention in rural communities. In 2025, that partnership was further advanced when CEI was selected as Maine’s recipient of the KeyBank Foundation Bicentennial CDFI Grant ($200,000), expanding free and low-cost business advising to help entrepreneurs prepare for capital, build sustainable operations, and create jobs.

“As a trusted CDFI partner in Maine, CEI is building sustainable pathways to capital and job creation, work that aligns closely with KeyBank’s commitment to inclusive economic growth,” said Eric Fiala, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer and President of the KeyBank Foundation. “By pairing capital with coaching, CEI prepares entrepreneurs for long-term sucess.

“We focus on the entrepreneurs and organizations that benefit most from targeted investment,” said Betsy Biemann, at CEI. “This partnership is helping us meet people where they are and grow stronger local economies in the process.”

Small businesses play an outsized role in Maine’s resilience. By pairing accessible capital with technical assistance, CEI increases approval readiness, reduces risk for founders and lenders, and supports durable, well-run businesses. KeyBank’s investments help ensure that more neighborhoods within Maine, especially those in rural or historically under-served communities, have a real shot at turning ideas into income, jobs, and generational stability.

Sheconomy: What Happens When Women’s Financial Power Shapes the Economy

GreenMoney Journal — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:00:00 -0400

By Janine Firpo Invest for Better and Sheconomy

What happens when women shape capital at scale? We are living through the largest intergenerational wealth transfer in history. Over the next two decades, an estimated $84 trillion will change hands. A defining feature of this transition is that women are expected to control a majority of that capital through inheritance, earnings, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

At the same time, the global economy is confronting climate instability, widening health gaps, and technological disruption. The systems we depend on are under pressure. The question is not simply how much capital is moving, but what that capital will prioritize.

For most of modern financial history, women had limited influence over capital allocation, not because of a lack of capability or ambition, but because of structural exclusion. Representation in venture capital, corporate boards, asset management, and economic policy has improved, but remains uneven. Markets evolved largely without women’s full economic voice. That absence shaped outcomes.

Today, the landscape is changing. Women are inheriting wealth, founding companies, leading institutions, and participating more actively in investment decisions. Yet global economic equality remains far from guaranteed. Economic equality will not arrive automatically. It must be built, and that is precisely why this moment matters.

Read Janine's full article here - https://greenmoney.com/sheconomy-what-happens-when-womens-financial-power-shapes-the-economy

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How the Cuban Missile Crisis Sparked a Career in Sustainable Investing: A Conversation With Cheryl Smith

GreenMoney Journal — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:30:00 -0400

An interview by Lisa Hayles of Trillium Asset Management

For decades, Cheryl Smith has been a leading voice in sustainable finance — shaping strategies that align investment returns with social and environmental impact. As an economist and portfolio manager at Trillium Asset Management, she has championed the integration of ESG principles long before they were mainstream. In this conversation for GreenMoney’s Women & Sustainable Investing issue, Cheryl reflects on her journey from academia to advocacy, what sustainable investing critics get wrong, and why values are never absent from investing.

Get true insights into Sustainable Investing with Cheryl's answers to questions like:

• Sustainable investing has faced increased attacks in recent years. What are critics missing?

• How do you approach concerns about performance or the value of sustainability analysis?

• After such a long view of the industry, what excites you most about the next decade of sustainable investing?

• If you could offer one prediction, or one hope, about the future of responsible investing, what would it be?

Read the full interview here - https://greenmoney.com/how-the-cuban-missile-crisis-sparked-a-career-in-sustainable-investing-a-conversation-with-cheryl-smith

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KeyBank Foundation Invests $240,000 in YWCA North Central Indiana to Support Women’s Education and Economic Advancement

KeyBank — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

The KeyBank Foundation announced an investment of $240,000 in YWCA North Central Indiana’s Strengthening Communities Initiative, a comprehensive program designed to enhance the social and economic well-being of survivors of abuse and other economically disenfranchised community members — both those residing in YWCA emergency shelters and individuals served throughout the broader community.

The initiative provides education, workforce training, individualized support, and advocacy that help build resources, strengthen confidence, and assist individuals in transitioning from crisis to long-term self-sufficiency.

The program will evaluate participant progress through clearly defined short-term, intermediate, and long-term outcomes across four core areas: financial literacy, empowerment coaching, securing and keeping a job, and the “Bridges Out of Poverty” framework. Outcomes are evaluated using both participant self-reporting and objective data, including budget completion rates, verified credit reports, and employment documentation.

Across all measures, the program’s impact has been significant: 86% of clients report steady progress toward personal goals and the development of stronger, more reliable support networks. These results are reflected not only in data but in the lived experiences of participants — clients who have secured safe, stable housing; transitioned into full-time employment; reduced debt; and even begun saving toward homeownership. These personal stories demonstrate how the Strengthening Communities Initiative fosters lasting financial independence, increased stability, and long-term personal growth for individuals and families across the region.

“Survivors of domestic violence often face overwhelming economic barriers,” said Amy Hill, YWCA North Central Indiana CEO. “Disrupted employment, damaged credit, limited access to childcare, and financial dependence trap them in abusive relationships. We are so grateful for KeyBank Foundation’s generous investment, which gives survivors hope and support, helping them regain independence, rebuild their lives, and create lasting stability for themselves and their families.”

“The YWCA’s Strengthening Communities Initiative delivers the type of transformational support that creates lasting pathways to stability and economic mobility,” said Yvonne Harrington, KeyBank Corporate Responsibility Officer. “At KeyBank, we’re committed to investing in programs that aim to remove barriers, expand opportunity, and empower individuals to build brighter financial futures for themselves and their families. We are so proud to partner with the YWCA to help more individuals across Northern Indiana thrive.”

News Coverage:

KeyBank grants $240K to YWCA of North Central Indiana for women’s financial literacy program | WNDU-TV

KeyBank Foundation invests in YWCA of North Central Indiana | WSBT-TV

YWCA receives donation to support women's economic advancement | ABC57

ABOUT KEYCORP
KeyCorp's roots trace back more than 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $184 billion at December 31, 2025.

Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 950 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications, and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC.

ABOUT KEYBANK FOUNDATION
KeyBank Foundation is a nonprofit charitable foundation that supports organizations and initiatives aimed at improving financial wellness, education, and community development. Through strategic philanthropy, KeyBank Foundation works to create thriving communities and drive meaningful, lasting change.

ABOUT YWCA NORTH CENTRAL INDIANA
YWCA North Central Indiana (YWCANCIN), a long-standing nonprofit based in South Bend, Indiana, is dedicated to empowering women, promoting justice and dignity, and strengthening families and communities. It is part of the historic YWCA movement, the oldest and largest women’s movement in the U.S., and has been serving the local region since 1903. YWCANCIN operates two domestic abuse emergency shelters and provides a comprehensive continuum of support for adults and children affected by violence, poverty, and crisis. For more information, visit www.ywcancin.org

CVS Health Marks Milestone With Groundbreaking of The Moreland Phase I in Phoenix, Arizona

CVS Health — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0400

March 13, 2026 /3BL/ - CVS Health recently celebrated the groundbreaking of The Moreland Phase I in Phoenix, Arizona, alongside valued colleagues, local leaders, community partners, development stakeholders, and neighborhood representatives. This milestone marks the beginning of a transformative affordable housing development that will deliver 131 new affordable units as part of the broader HUD Choice Neighborhoods Initiative to support revitalization efforts in the Edison Eastlake community.

Developed by Brinshore Development, The Moreland will provide high quality, affordable housing for households earning 30%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of the Area Median Income ("AMI").

Designed to foster connection, accessibility, and resident well-being, The Moreland will feature a wide range of amenities including community gathering spaces, a fitness center, computer room, teen development area, and on-site management. Residents will also have access to supportive services delivered in partnership with Family Scholar House and the City of Phoenix Homeless Supportive Services, helping connect individuals and families to resources that promote stability and success.

It was inspiring to come together to mark this important step forward with everyone helping bring this vision to life, including development partners, public sector supporters, community organizations, and dedicated colleagues, all committed to expanding affordable housing and strengthening neighborhoods across Phoenix.

CVS Health deeply appreciates these moments and is grateful to all who contributed to making the groundbreaking a success. This truly reflects the unwavering commitment of our colleagues across CVS Health, Mercy Care, Banner Health, Oak Street Health & Aetna.

Learn more about how CVS Health improves the health of the communities it serves.

Watch the Groundbreaking ceremony below, with CVS Health’s remarks at 14:26.

Read about the Groundbreaking from the media:

Ericsson and Mastercard Enhance Global Digital Money Movement and Accelerate Digital Financial Inclusion

Mastercard — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Originally published by Mastercard

March 12, 2026 /3BL/ - Ericsson and Mastercard announced a collaboration to reshape how money moves across the world. By integrating the Ericsson Fintech Platform (Mobile Financial Services) with Mastercard Move, Mastercard’s portfolio of money movement solutions, the collaboration will empower telecom service providers, banks and fintechs to expand digital wallet capabilities, launch new payment services and reach unbanked or underbanked communities.

Ericsson’s pre-integrated application programming interfaces (APIs), cloud-native deployment and compliance-ready infrastructure simplifies fintech connectivity to Mastercard Move.

These capabilities reduce technology complexity, lower operational barriers by simplifying integration, deployment and compliance, and accelerate time to market for new payment services — all aimed at catalyzing innovation and growth in the sector.

The Ericsson-Mastercard collaboration transforms how financial services are built, delivered and scaled. It creates new revenue streams and strengthens digital ecosystems across emerging and developed markets.

Financial inclusion and accessibility are key focuses of the collaboration. Mastercard Move enables money movement across more than 200 countries and territories, connecting more than 17 billion endpoints, and supporting transactions in 150 currencies.

Ericsson’s fintech platform operates in 22 countries, serving more than 120 million active users and processing more than 4 billion transactions every month across digital wallets, payments, remittances, lending and loyalty services — all backed by enterprise-grade security.

Mastercard Move’s integration into Ericsson’s Fintech Platform aims to accelerate the adoption of digital payments and expand participation in the digital economy.

The global rollout will begin in the Middle East and Africa, where demand for mobile money, remittances and interoperable payment services is particularly strong.

“Mastercard Move empowers payment service providers to shape the future of money movement — delivering fast, secure and transparent transfers for individuals and businesses worldwide,” says Pratik Khowala, global head of Transfer Solutions, Mastercard. “By integrating with Ericsson’s fintech platform, we’re opening new pathways for telecom operators, financial institutions and fintechs to scale innovative payment services, reach underserved communities and unlock fresh revenue streams. This collaboration not only meets the rising demand for digital cross-border payments, but also accelerates progress toward a more connected, inclusive and dynamic global digital economy.”

“Joining forces with Mastercard marks a bold step toward the future of money movement,” says Pavan Bachwal, head of Mobile Financial Services, Ericsson. “Combining Ericsson’s trusted, scalable platform with Mastercard Move enables our customers to launch secure and efficient payment solutions faster than we ever have before. Together, we are driving financial inclusion, accelerating innovation, and creating new growth opportunities across the globe.”

Media contact

Giang Nguyen, Mastercard
Giang.Nguyen@mastercard.com

About Mastercard

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a resilient economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

www.mastercard.com

About Ericsson

Ericsson’s high-performing, programmable networks provide connectivity for billions of people every day. For 150 years, we’ve been pioneers in creating technology for communication. We offer mobile communication and connectivity solutions for service providers and enterprises. Together with our customers and partners, we make the digital world of tomorrow a reality. www.ericsson.com

MORE INFORMATION AT:
Ericsson Newsroom
media.relations@ericsson.com (+46 10 719 69 92)
investor.relations@ericsson.com (+46 10 719 00 00)

Continue reading here.

Follow along Mastercard's journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.

CVS Health Deepens Commitment to Nashville With $120,000 Investment in Cul2vate’s “Roots and Roofs” Initiative

CVS Health — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Originally published on CVS Health Company News

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health® (NYSE: CVS) in collaboration with Elmington Capital and Cul2vate recently announced a further investment of $120,000 in Cul2vate’s Roots and Roofs initiative, a program designed to connect affordable, stable housing with food security and workforce development in Nashville, Tennessee.

This latest commitment builds on CVS Health’s initial investment in the development of 101 Factory, an affordable housing property that supports individuals and families earning up to 30% to 70% of Area Median Income. Now, CVS Health is expanding on its investment to help ensure residents of 101 Factory and surrounding communities have access to fresh food, workforce training, and the holistic support they need to live healthier lives and reach their full potential.

The Roots and Roofs initiative, powered by Cul2vate, will deliver:

Food distribution via The Ark: Healthy food boxes delivered to residents identified through surveys and signups, in partnership with The Ark in Pegram, Tennessee.
Pop-up farmers markets: Seasonal markets at 101 Factory offering farm-grown produce, simple recipes, and nutrition education.
You-Pick Farm Day: A summer 2026 event where residents are introduced to the farm, engage in hands-on activities, and fill their own boxes with hand-picked produce at Cul2vate’s Buxahatchee Farm.
Workforce and life transformation: Training and mentorship for individuals overcoming barriers such as homelessness or incarceration, with employment opportunities on the farm and beyond.
Workforce collaboration with CVS Health: Integration with CVS Health’s Career Skills Lab and Tennessee Department of Labor programs to support pre-apprenticeship and reentry pathways.

This collaboration further demonstrates CVS Health’s commitment to supporting communities across Tennessee. To date, CVS Health has invested more than $36 million in affordable housing across the state, helping to create, preserve and renovate over 2,700 housing units.

“Access to safe, high-quality affordable housing and food stability go hand in hand to impact an individual’s overall health and are essential building blocks in fostering a healthy community,” said Keli Savage, Head of Impact Investments at CVS Health. “This initiative is about more than funding; it’s about showing up, listening, and helping create lasting change where it’s needed most. Through our continued collaboration with Cul2vate, Elmington Capital and local organizations, we’re helping to build a foundation for healthier lives and stronger futures.”

Joey Lankford, Executive Director of Cul2vate said, “I'm excited about this partnership specifically because it allows us to connect the dots with the housing, food and education components of our ministry. It gives us a base for connecting local agriculture production and quality food with affordable housing and employment to create a fundamental holistic way to serve our neighbors in need.”

###

About CVS Health

CVS Health® is a leading health solutions company building a world of health around every consumer, wherever they are. As of June 30, 2025, the Company had approximately 9,000 retail pharmacy locations, more than 1,000 walk-in and primary care medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 87 million plan members, and a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than 800,000 patients per year. The Company also serves an estimated more than 37 million people through traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including highly rated Medicare Advantage offerings and a leading standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. The Company’s integrated model uses personalized, technology driven services to connect people to simply better health, increasing access to quality care, delivering better outcomes, and lowering overall costs.

Media Contacts
Rebecca Ferrick
FerrickR@CVSHealth.com

How the “Universal Language” of Impact Accounting Can Integrate Sustainability With Finance

Everpure — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 14:30:00 -0400

Previously published by Trellis

By Jim Giles

Key Takeaways:

Impact accounting uses “valuation factors” to convert enviornmental metrics into dollar numbers.
Proponents say it provides common ground in discussions between different business functions.
Everpure is rolling out an impact accounting dashboard.

Around three years ago, Charles Giancarlo, CEO of data platform Pure Storage, came back from Davos and asked his sustainability team to look into an idea he’d encountered at the meeting: Impact accounting, a method for integrating emissions and other externalities into company balance sheets.

The idea had been slowly picking up adherents in Europe for around a decade, but Pure Storage, which rebranded this month to Everpure, would go on to become the first U.S. company to join the Value Balancing Alliance (VBA), a group of 30 or so companies developing the approach. Trellis checked in last week with Everpure and the VBA for an update.

How does impact accounting work?

At the heart of the approach are a set of “valuation factors,” developed by third-party experts, that are used to convert activity data for emissions, water use, air pollution and other externalities into dollar figures that can be integrated into balance sheets. In the case of emissions, for example, the VBA uses $220 per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent, a figure based on the estimated social impact of rising greenhouse gases levels.

At Everpure, one long-term goal is to have cost centers be aware of the dollar impact of relevant externalities. After an initial focus on identifying and collecting the most material data, the team is now rolling out a dashboard containing several years of impact accounting numbers.

“It’s catered to different personas,” explained Adrienne Uphoff, Everpure’s ESG regulations and impact accounting manager. Finance was an initial use case, with product managers also on the roadmap. “You can compare it to financial numbers to really understand the impact intensity.”

What value does the approach bring?

“The essence of impact accounting is that you’re translating all these different metrics in the sustainability space into the language the decision makers understand,” said Christian Heller, the VBA’s CEO. “Everyone understands what you’re talking about, and you get a sense of the magnitude of your impact and the risks and opportunities.”

This has allowed Everpure to calculate what Uphoff called the “environmental costs of goods sold” and to estimate the impact of circular strategies, such as refurbishing hardware. The analysis reveals “impact savings across the full value chain across five different environmental topics all in a single dollar unit,” she said.

Analyses like that can then be shared with customers and used to distinguish Everpure from competitors. “The long-term winners in this space are going to be those that can perform against sustainability goals,” said Kathy Mulvany, Everpure’s global head of sustainability. “Impact accounting gives us a way to bring comparability, so companies can understand how they’re truly stacking up.”

What does it take to implement impact accounting?

A great deal of technical work goes into creating valuation factors, but the system is designed so that outside experts create the numbers and hand them to sustainability professionals for use. Still, not every company will have the in-house environmental data that is also needed. Many companies have been collecting emissions data for five years or more, for example, but detailed datasets for water use are less common.

Internal teams also need to be familiar with the concepts. “One of the key learnings from our impact accounting implementation is that the socialization curve is longer than you expect,” said Uphoff. “Attaching monetary values on externalities introduces new metrics and mental models, and that can naturally make people a little nervous at first. It takes time and dialogue for teams to build confidence in how to interpret this new lens on performance.”

What’s next?

In the early days of impact accounting, companies and consultancies worked independently on different methodologies. Now that work is coalescing, said Heller. The International Standards Organization is expected to start work on a standard this summer, he added, and the VBA, working with the Capitals Coalition, another nonprofit, is having conversations with the IFRS Foundation, which creates international financial reporting standards.

The approach may also be integrated into mandatory disclosure standards. Heller noted that the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive mentions the potential benefits of companies putting a dollar figure on some environmental impacts. “It’s the next evolutionary step of any kind of sustainability disclosure regulations,” he said.

Continue reading here.

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CVS Health: Strengthening Health Through Housing

CVS Health — Fri, 6 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0500

Originally published on CVS Health Company News

At CVS Health® we know that housing is health care. That’s why we’ve invested $2.1 billion to create, preserve and renovate 118,000 affordable housing units in more than 1,400 neighborhoods nationwide. By addressing social determinants of health and providing families with safe, stable homes, we’re making it possible for thousands of people to succeed in life. Keli Savage, AVP of Impact Investment Strategy, is at the heart of it as she works to ensure our philanthropic and business commitments come to life in the communities we serve.

Press play: Watch as we visit a beautiful New Orleans apartment complex, a CVS Health investment, and meet an 80-year-old grandmother and former nurse, to learn firsthand how her new home has brought her security and joy after a lifetime of public service.

Every member of #TeamCVS contributes to a greater sense of purpose. If you're looking for a workplace that values patient care, embraces mentorship, and champions your professional development, then CVS Health may be the right place for you.

KeyBank Invests $500,000 in Say Yes Niagara Falls to Expand Higher Education Access

KeyBank — Tue, 3 Mar 2026 17:10:00 -0500

KeyBank, through the KeyBank Foundation, has announced a $500,000 investment in Say Yes Niagara Falls, marking the latest milestone in the bank’s long-standing commitment to expanding educational opportunity and strengthening communities across Western New York.

The funding will support the Niagara Falls Scholarship Endowment Fund, helping remove financial barriers for students in the Niagara Falls City School District pursuing college, certificate programs, or apprenticeship‑aligned credentials. As the largest contribution to the endowment to date, the grant moves the program significantly closer to its $20 million goal — ultimately establishing a “forever fund” for local students.

Empowering Niagara Falls Students for Generational Success

“This remarkable investment from KeyBank reflects a shared belief in the potential of Niagara Falls students,” said David Rust, CEO of Say Yes Buffalo. “This support brings us closer to our vision of creating a permanent endowment that ensures graduates of Niagara Falls High School have access to the opportunities they deserve.”

The Say Yes Niagara Falls partnership, modeled after the successful Say Yes Buffalo framework, is focused on creating a sustainable support system that increases high school and postsecondary graduation rates and equips students with the tools to build meaningful futures.

Strengthening the Region’s Talent Pipeline

KeyBank leaders emphasized the importance of investing in local talent and reducing financial barriers to higher education.

“Removing financial barriers so students can pursue college and career training is central to our mission of helping the communities we serve thrive,” said Michael McMahon, KeyBank Buffalo Market President.

“Every Niagara Falls student who dreams of college deserves the chance to say ‘yes.’ We’re honored to support Niagara Falls students and families as they turn aspiration into achievement,” added Chiwuike Owunwanne, KeyBank Buffalo Corporate Responsibility and Community Relations Officer.

A Legacy of Impact in Western New York

This effort builds on KeyBank’s broader history of community-driven philanthropy, economic mobility initiatives, and inclusive banking investments. Since 2017, KeyBank has invested more than $1.7 billion in Buffalo and Western New York, supporting affordable housing, small business and home lending, and transformational philanthropic initiatives.

Learn more about how KeyBank helps clients, teammates, and communities thrive by making meaningful investments in the places it’s proud to call home.

AllianceBernstein | Proxy Voting Outlook: Spotlight Turns to Governance in Transition Year

AllianceBernstein — Mon, 2 Mar 2026 08:55:00 -0500

Bob Herr| Director of Corporate Governance

What you need to know

The agenda is being reset for US shareholder meetings in 2026. Regulatory shifts have led to a steep decline in overall shareholder proposals while governance issues are becoming the biggest battleground. As companies gain new power to block shareholder proposals, investors may turn to other routes to make their voices heard. Research-driven independence and a focus on governance fundamentals can guide investors through a changing environment.

–36% decline in total shareholder proposals for S&P 1500 companies in 2025
41% rate of support for shareholder proposals on governance issues in 2025
14% rate of support for shareholder proposals on environmental and social issues in 2025

Change is in the air as the 2026 US proxy voting season begins. Regulatory shifts and new voting dynamics will challenge investment firms to remain principled in their approach to stewardship.

The proxy pendulum is swinging. After several years in which environmental and social issues gained prominence, governance matters such as director elections and executive compensation have reentered the spotlight.

This year, ballots will be cast amid significant regulatory and legal moves. Proxy advisory firms are under intense scrutiny while state and federal laws and enforcement actions have added layers of complexity to governance decision making. We believe investment firms should enter proxy season with eyes wide open: aware of what’s changing yet guided by a materiality-based framework to vote independently with conviction.

Regulatory and Legal Landscape Is Evolving

From 2020 to 2024, the number of shareholder proposals increased steadily, fueled by growing interest in the ‘E’ and ‘S’ issues of the environment, social and governance (ESG) mix. This year’s proxy season begins after a whirlwind 2025, driven by a series of moves impacting shareholder proposals.

Perhaps the most significant regulatory move will empower companies to have more control of the agenda. During 2025, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued new guidance and decisions that alter the dynamics of the proxy voting process. First, the SEC said it would allow issuers to more easily exclude shareholder proposals—including those in the “ordinary business” bucket. In other words, if a company says a certain shareholder proposal is really a matter of day-to-day business, it will have much more latitude to exclude it from the agenda.
oward year end, the SEC expanded that guidance, and now it may decline to express a view on certain no-action requests. As a result, it has effectively left it to companies to determine whether to exclude a proposal.

Shareholder proponents may be further constrained by another recent regulatory shift. In January, the SEC narrowed the use of exempt solicitation filings, saying it will no longer accept voluntary filings from shareholders with less than $5 million ownership. This will make it harder for smaller proponents to post supporting materials on EDGAR, limiting a channel often used to amplify arguments behind shareholder proposals or to organize vote‑no campaigns. We expect this change to reduce the volume of publicly filed support materials in proxy season and to dampen vote‑no campaign activity. Proponents may increasingly turn to press outreach and direct engagement with investors, raising cost and coordination hurdles required to be heard.

Companies may also benefit from technical adjustments designed to boost retail voting participation. For example, the SEC allowed ExxonMobil to implement a voluntary program enabling retail investors to opt into automatic proxy voting aligned with management recommendations, which has the potential to bolster management support.

Advisory Firms Under Pressure

Meanwhile, enhanced scrutiny on proxy advisory firms is in full swing. Regulators and lawmakers are investigating firms like Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and Glass Lewis over potential conflicts of interest, particularly regarding ESG issues. Attorneys general in Florida, Mississippi and Missouri have led the charge, while Texas has introduced new disclosure requirements for advisory firms and is stepping up oversight and enforcement. President Trump, too, issued an executive order to federal agencies, including the SEC and the Federal Trade Commission, to reevaluate regulatory treatment of proxy advisory firms and market practices.

In response, some large firms have stopped using third-party advisors for US proxy research, opting for alternatives including AI-based solutions. Proxy advisory firms are adapting by offering more customized research options, while new entrants are challenging the dominance of established players.

Shareholder Proposals Go Back to Governance Basics

These dynamics have already prompted shifts in voting trends, which are likely to continue in 2026.

Fewer shareholder proposals reached ballots in 2025, and average support levels declined across major categories. The number of proposals dropped by 36% to 295 across topics, with governance accounting for nearly half of all issues (Display). Governance proposals received 41% support on average—eclipsing support for environmental and social proposals.

It’s true that support for environmental and social proposals has been declining for several years. Now, lower expectations for these initiatives to succeed—along with lower barriers for management to exclude proposals—may discourage proponents from raising them in the first place. In cases where companies face significant environmental and social controversies, we expect shareholders to start exploring other avenues to affect change, for example, through director election votes.

Governance Fundamentals in Focus

Corporate governance doesn’t typically grab headlines. Yet these issues—from board composition and independence to responsiveness to shareholders—are at the heart of how businesses run and can have a material impact on companies’ financial performance.

Director elections, for example, are a powerful tool for investors to weigh in on ineffective boards. In our experience, shares of US companies with boards that we’ve supported have outperformed firms that didn’t meet our governance expectations.

On the governance menu, executive compensation will remain a hot topic. Median total compensation for S&P 500 CEOs reached $17 million in 2024, representing a 5% increase over the prior year, according to Pay Governance. This growth was primarily driven by larger long-term equity grants, which were buoyed by strong equity performance during the period.

The tech titans have been in the compensation spotlight since Tesla awarded unprecedented pay packages to Elon Musk in 2018 and 2025; both were large long-term equity grants with ambitious performance hurdles. We anticipate an increase in these types of CEO packages, which may appear on proxy ballots more frequently in the future.

Beyond the high-profile compensation stories, we expect an increased focused on core governance issues such as board accountability and risk oversight. For example, “common sense” governance proposals are rising, including simple majority vote requirements, the right to call special meetings and board declassification. Proposals like these passed most often in 2025, signaling continued investor support for improved shareholder accountability despite elevated scrutiny of ESG practices.

AB’s Proxy Voting Principles: Materiality and Independence

While the industry grapples with multiple transitions, we believe that our longstanding proxy voting framework continues to provide a strategic path forward. Our approach focuses on issues that are material to business and investors, backed by a willingness to vote independently.

Maximizing shareholder value is the primary goal of our votes. That’s why our positions are rooted in thorough research and engagement, designed to fully understand the material impact of any proposal on a company’s business—and our clients.*

Translating those positions into effective votes demands independence.

In 2025, we voted against management at least once in 57% of shareholder meetings in which we participated (Display). We also voted contrary to ISS recommendations in 45% of meetings.

We stood against management proposals on director elections and compensation 20% and 17% of the time, respectively (Display). And we voted in support of approximately 36% of all shareholder proposals.

AB’s investment stewardship approach is rooted in a partnership with our sector analysts and portfolio managers, which enables us to take industry—and company specific considerations into account to make more informed voting decisions. For example, in the healthcare sector, we’ve found that sound compensation practices can make a meaningful difference to long-term investor outcomes.

Shaping the Norms of Responsible Stewardship

As the 2026 proxy season unfolds, investment firms have a responsibility to lead with clarity and a disciplined focus on what drives long‑term value. While the regulatory environment may generate headlines and can be confusing for investors, we think the renewed focus on governance will provide shareholders with ample opportunities to weigh in on an array of issues that can materially affect business success and shareholder outcomes.

Entering the season with well‑defined principles, rigorous research and a readiness to vote independently of management or proxy advisors will be essential—especially as governance issues become the primary arena for impact.

Landon Shea, Investment Stewardship Associate and Research Lead, and Cole Moore, Investment Stewardship Analyst and Engagement Lead, were instrumental in the research supporting this blog.

*AllianceBernstein (AB) engages issuers where it believes the engagement is in the best financial interest of its clients.

The views expressed herein do not constitute research, investment advice or trade recommendations, do not necessarily represent the views of all AB portfolio-management teams and are subject to change over time.

Learn more about AB’s approach to responsibility here.

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Media contact

CVS Health Deepens Commitment to Nashville With $120,000 Investment in Cul2vate’s “Roots and Roofs” Initiative

How the “Universal Language” of Impact Accounting Can Integrate Sustainability With Finance

How does impact accounting work?

What value does the approach bring?

What does it take to implement impact accounting?

What’s next?

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KeyBank Invests $500,000 in Say Yes Niagara Falls to Expand Higher Education Access

AllianceBernstein | Proxy Voting Outlook: Spotlight Turns to Governance in Transition Year

What you need to know

Regulatory and Legal Landscape Is Evolving

Advisory Firms Under Pressure

Shareholder Proposals Go Back to Governance Basics

Governance Fundamentals in Focus

AB’s Proxy Voting Principles: Materiality and Independence

Shaping the Norms of Responsible Stewardship

Listen to the episode:
Apple: https://lnkd.in/eZZm4hdy
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gfiJPgGE