MetLife Supports Climate Innovation Through the Strauch Cleantech to Market Program, Advancing Sustainable Solutions

MetLife — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:05:00 -0400

Congratulations to all The Strauch Cleantech to Market Program (C2M) students who presented at the 2025 Climate Tech Summit at the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business.

This marks MetLife’s fourth year supporting the program and announcing “MetLife Climate Solutions Awards” to teams that delivered the most compelling findings for how their startup can strengthen the resilience and well-being of people and the planet, determined by a panel of independent judges. 

A big thank you to the 40 MetLife employee volunteers worldwide who dedicated their time and expertise to help students advance impactful climate technologies. 

Learn more about the The Strauch Cleantech to Market Program

Modern Social Impact Conferences Need a New Playbook

Engage for Good — Thu, 9 Apr 2026 11:05:00 -0400

Recently, Angela Parker, Co-Founder and CEO of Realized Worth posed a sharp question on LinkedIn: what is the point of a conference anyway?

For years, the standard CSR conference playbook was built around a familiar formula: strong production, polished panels, practical takeaways, sponsor visibility, and enough inspiration to send people home feeling energized. But Angela is right, at a time when many professionals are navigating fatigue, fear, scrutiny, and real uncertainty about how to lead, it is not enough.

Across industries, people are not showing up to gatherings simply looking for content. They are showing up carrying tension. They are asking harder questions about what leadership requires now, what courage looks like inside institutions, and how to move forward when the old scripts no longer fit. Conferences are out of touch when they ignore that reality.

As an organizer of one of the largest corporate social impact events in the U.S., the Engage for Good Conference, here are three shifts I believe every modern impact-focused gathering must make.

1. Name the real tension in the room

Too many conferences still operate as if their role is to smooth over discomfort.

Whether the issue is political backlash, economic pressure, public mistrust, burnout, shifting stakeholder expectations, or internal misalignment, attendees can feel the gap between the world they are living in and the one being presented from the stage. When that gap is too wide, even the most polished programming loses credibility.

Leaders build trust by naming and acknowledging the tension. It requires courage, and event organizers should model it and set the tone that this is where uncomfortable truths are welcome.

A conference earns relevance when it reflects reality. Conferences need to create space for all of us to witness how the current moment is being experienced from managers and leaders to executives and team members.

2. Design for candor, not just content

For years, success in many conference settings has been measured by the quality of the speaker lineup or the polish of the stage. Big titles and celebrity speakers draw attendees, but they also are bound by what their PR and legal teams allow them to say publicly.

In the age of AI, information is not scarce anymore. Insight is.

People can access thought leadership anywhere. What they cannot easily access is a room where leaders speak honestly about tradeoffs, failures, risks, and decisions still in motion.

That kind of candor has to be built into the foundation of an event.

It means speakers should go beyond case study generalities and talk about what made the work difficult. It means talking about failures, accountability, and responsibility. It means asking better questions. It means creating smaller spaces for meaningful exchanges. It means building time for attendees to pressure test assumptions, compare notes, and wrestle with complexity alongside peers. It means debate that thrives on healthy friction.

A polished keynote may inspire people for an hour. A candid conversation can change how they lead for the next year.

3. Activate the head and the heart

The best gatherings reconnect people to purpose.

In social impact, we spend a lot of time focused on: strategy, measurement, stakeholder management, execution, and navigating constant change. While this work matters, the strongest leaders also make space for the heart work. They remember what brought them to this work. They reconnect to the communities they care about, their guiding values, and the deeper reason they continue to lead through difficulty.

The most valuable gatherings offer rigorous thinking and evoke genuine emotion. They help people sharpen their judgment, but they also help them reconnect to conviction. Because in moments like this, people need more than new ideas–they need the courage to keep going.

Many of us chose this work because we believed we could help build something better for our communities and for the world around us. A truly meaningful conference should help people remember that and return to their work with both greater clarity and deeper resolve.

The old conference model was built for a different era. Today’s leaders need something more honest and more useful.

They need gatherings that can hold complexity and invite candor. Gatherings that help people do the heart work alongside the hard work. Gatherings that do not just inform, but reconnect people to purpose.

That is the point of a conference now.

Muneer Panjwani is CEO at Engage For Good.

Note: This previously appeared in Fast Company on March 25, 2026.

Helping Students Understand AI in the Classroom

Gen Digital Inc. — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 10:30:00 -0400

by Kim Allman | Head of Corporate Responsibility and Public Policy

Gen Blog | Community

Every year on March 27th, National AI Literacy Day brings together educators, students and families to explore how to prepare learners for an AI-enabled world. Organized by the EDSAFE AI Alliance, aiEDU, Common Sense Media and The Tech Interactive, the day combines professional development opportunities for teachers with resources and hands-on activities for students that help demystify AI and support responsible use of this rapidly evolving technology.

At Gen, we believe helping young people understand technology is key to building a safer digital future, and we’re excited to join in this day of action.

Together with Discovery Education, a global leader in standards-based curriculum for K-12 learning, we created “Think Smart: Exploring AI and Staying Safe Online.” This new video series is designed to help children and young people understand AI works and how to use it responsibly. The videos introduce key concepts such as where AI appears in everyday life and how to recognize potential risks. The series is available free to educators, students and families through My Digital Life, a multilingual education platform developed by Discovery Education and Norton, part of the Gen family of brands.

Supporting Educators with AI Literacy Resources

Norton has partnered with Discovery Education and National AfterSchool Association on My Digital Life since 2023. The platform provides teachers around the world with standards-aligned instructional resources that help students develop essential digital citizenship skills.

Lesson plans, interactive activities and videos for students in grades 3-8 explore topics such as cyberbullying, misinformation and protecting personal data. Norton’s technical expertise helps ensure the content remains accurate and reflects the latest developments in the digital landscape.

The new AI video series builds on this foundation. Through animated storytelling and relatable scenarios, it explores how artificial intelligence intersects with online safety and everyday digital behavior. The lessons encourage students to think critically about technology while developing the skills needed to use AI responsibly.

Since launching, My Digital Life resources have reached nearly 490,000 young people globally. These materials are currently available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Hindi, French and German, helping bring digital education into classrooms across multiple regions.

Expanding Access to AI Education

Our collaboration with Discovery Education is part of Gen’s broader effort to expand access to digital safety and AI education for young people.

We also partner with World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), a global movement reaching millions of girls and young women. In 2025, new AI education modules were added to Surf Smart 2.0, a nonformal digital safety education program developed by WAGGGS and Norton that has reached more than 850,000 participants worldwide. Through the program, students explore how AI appears in their daily lives, from chatbots to content recommendations, and learn how to set thoughtful boundaries with emerging tools.

Gen also supports Discovery Education’s Digital Citizenship Initiative, which helps students build the skills needed to create a more respectful and responsible online world. The initiative includes multiple resources on AI literacy, helping middle and high school students better understand how AI shapes their online experiences.

Additionally, we participated in “Teaching AI with Confidence: Skills and Strategies for AI Literacy Day,” a free panel discussion for educators to help strengthen AI‑ready instruction across grade levels. Gen’s Head of Corporate Responsibility & Government Affairs joined the panel, which highlighted practical, age‑appropriate strategies for teaching AI and digital citizenship. Check out the full recording.

By working with educators, nonprofits and technology leaders, we aim to ensure that young people not only understand the tools affecting their digital lives but also feel empowered to use them safely and responsibly.

To learn more about Gen’s digital education and training efforts, explore our latest Social Impact Report.

These grants were awarded from the Gen Foundation, a corporate-advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

From Digital Skills to Digital Advocacy: Empowering Girls to Lead Online

Gen Digital Inc. — Fri, 3 Apr 2026 16:10:00 -0400

by Kim Allman | Head of Corporate Responsibility and Public Policy

Gen Blog|Community

Every year on March 8, International Women’s Day invites us to celebrate the long history of women’s social, economic and cultural progress while recognizing the work still ahead — including in the digital world.

Technology has opened new doors for connection, learning and opportunity. Yet it has also introduced new risks. According to UN Women, technology-facilitated violence against women and girls is on the rise, with studies showing that as many as 58% have experienced forms of digital abuse, including hacking, stalking, and online harassment.

At Gen, we believe the internet should be safe for everyone. That belief drives our partnership with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), a global movement reaching millions of girls and young women.

Together with WAGGGS, Norton, part of the Gen family of brands, codeveloped Surf Smart, a nonformal education program that has reached more than 850,000 girls and young women worldwide with digital safety resources to date. In early 2026, WAGGGS launched the next evolution of this work: Advocacy for Generation Digital.

Moving From Education to Action

Advocacy for Generation Digital builds on Surf Smart 2.0 and helps girls and young women transform knowledge into leadership. The curriculum supports participants as they identify digital issues that matter most to them, strengthen research and communication skills and design advocacy campaigns that promote safer and more inclusive online spaces.

The program offers learning pathways for elementary, middle and high school students and can be adapted to local contexts. It is available in English, French, Spanish and Arabic. WAGGGS also provides advocacy grants to Member Organizations, helping bring youth-led projects to life in communities around the world.

The impact of youth advocacy is already clear. In 2023 and 2024, young women in 10 countries launched campaigns addressing digital inclusion and online safety. Some organized public panels. Others engaged local media. Sophia Nabbale and Ronah Akatukunda from Uganda presented at the United Nations Civil Society Conference 2024 in Nairobi, highlighting the intergenerational digital divide and the fight against online violence.

“Gen and WAGGGS share a vision for digital life," said Leena Elias, Chief Product Officer at Gen. "We believe the internet can be place where young people learn, connect and express themselves safely. Advocacy for Generation Digital is another step toward bringing that vision to life, empowering girls and young women to shape digital spaces that reflect their needs and aspirations.”

Preparing the Next Generation for an AI-Driven World

Our partnership continues to evolve with technology. In 2025, Surf Smart 2.0 was updated to include new modules on artificial intelligence. Participants explore how AI shows up in their daily lives, from chatbots to content recommendations, and learn how to set responsible boundaries with emerging tools.

Throughout 2026, Gen and WAGGGS are also amplifying the voices of program participants — sharing firsthand accounts from Smart Surfers and Advocacy Champions about what they’ve learned and how they are leading change in their communities.

Digital Freedom depends on more than protection. It requires participation, confidence and leadership. By investing in youth-led advocacy, we are helping ensure the next generation is not only prepared to navigate the digital world safely — but ready to shape it.

To learn more about how Gen supports digital education and training around the world, explore our latest Social Impact Report. 

These grants were awarded from the Gen Foundation, a corporate-advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

3M Volunteers Advance Hands-On Stem Learning

3M — Thu, 2 Apr 2026 15:55:00 -0400

Originally published on 3M News Center

As part of a continued effort to inspire the next generation of scientists, 3M is partnering with DoSomething and Amazon MGM Studios to launch Project STEM Heroes, a nationwide program encouraging young people to explore STEM careers and recognize the mentors who sparked their curiosity. Aligned with the release of the science fiction film “Project Hail Mary,” the initiative invites youth to submit videos sharing their passion for STEM and the teachers who shaped their journey, with the opportunity to earn a scholarship.

Representatives from 3M and DoSomething, a leading hub for youth-centered leadership and service, attended the world premiere of “Project Hail Mary,” joined by a 3M scientist and a group of students and teachers, including two Project STEM Heroes scholarship recipients. While in St. Paul, Minnesota, 3M also hosted a volunteer event with STARBASE Minnesota Inc., an organization that inspires creativity and hands-on learning for students, where 3M employees supported programming designed to empower students in their STEM exploration.

“Project STEM Heroes inspires young people to discover and unlock their passion for STEM, while celebrating the educators who sparked their passion,” said DeNora Getachew, CEO of DoSomething. “Partnering with 3M to honor these students and teachers at the ‘Project Hail Mary’ premiere highlighted real stories of curiosity and mentorship. Together, we’re helping the next generation to see themselves as innovators and problem solvers.”

Encouraged by the message of Project STEM Heroes, nearly 300 3M volunteers partnered with STARBASE to take action by assembling hands-on STEM materials that will reach more than 19,000 students.

As part of a continued effort to inspire the next generation of scientists and impact communities, 3M employees exceeded their 2025 goal of contributing 100,000 volunteer hours globally, reaching over 144,000 hours. As community needs persist, the company’s goal this year is to achieve 160,000 volunteer hours.

From building 780 model rocket engine mounts to preparing thousands of STEM kits, these efforts will help bring lessons like rocket launches and missions to Mars to life.

“Our decades-long partnership with 3M is invaluable, and events like this are among the highlights because they allow us to engage directly with dedicated 3M volunteers,” said Melanie Peters, Executive Director of STARBASE Minnesota Inc. “Our programs serve fifth‑grade students – an age when many begin to decide whether they see themselves as ‘STEM students’ or not. It’s critical for us to reach them at this stage with a high-impact experience that builds confidence and sparks curiosity.”

Together, these efforts reflect 3M’s ongoing commitment to empowering the next generation of innovators and providing youth around the world with meaningful STEM education experiences.

Sustainability in Focus: DP World in Peru

DP World — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Across DP World’s Peru operations, sustainability comes to life through the people, communities, and innovations shaping everyday impact — from cleaner port operations and renewable energy to education, workforce development, and community resilience.

These moments reflect a broader commitment to building more inclusive, low-carbon supply chains while creating lasting value where we operate.

Aflac 2025 Agents of Care Prove the Power of Compassion in Action

Aflac Incorporated — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 09:20:00 -0400

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

Quiet acts of service often speak the loudest, and that kind of generosity can ripple outward to help strengthen entire communities.

At Aflac’s annual sales conference, six independent Aflac sales agents were recognized for their community efforts that reflect a deep commitment to helping others through support for local families, disaster relief, youth programs and other grassroots initiatives. Each of these Agents of Care winners were nominated by their peers and received a $10,000 contribution from Aflac to further the causes they champion.

Below are the heartfelt and impactful ways these Agents of Care help to make a difference in their communities.

Leading with compassion in times of crisis

Aflac District Sales Coordinator Tamara “Tam” King and Agent Sierra Mason have a reputation of leading with intention, empathy and a deep sense of responsibility — both at work and in their community.

When a tornado struck the St. Louis area in 2025, Tam and Sierra pivoted into action, helping to support a grassroots relief effort with the NAACP St. Charles Chapter that raised more than $10,000 for victims. This initiative helped ensure that families facing sudden displacement had the resources necessary to begin rebuilding their lives.

Their commitment to community wellness extends into consistent, long-term support, including a fundraising initiative that raised more than $10,000 in professional haircare products and the personal distribution of more than 150 hygiene packs for underserved communities, in partnership with the NAACP St. Charles Chapter, The Adventist Community Service Center and Our Lady’s Inn.

Community champion helps drive lasting impact

Aflac Regional Sales Coordinator John Karr successfully co-chaired the first two annual American Cancer Society Tulsa Golf Classic and Tee Off Dinners, where his leadership helped raise more than $180,000 for the American Cancer Society (ACS). Beyond his work with the ACS, he has become a fixture in local growth and education initiatives in Bixby, Oklahoma. Through his leadership within the Bixby Metro Chamber of Commerce and participation in the Bixby BBQ'n Blues Festival, he helped raise vital funds for high school scholarships and the local food bank — all while earning a second-place culinary trophy in the process.

A legacy of service, leadership and commitment

John’s commitment to his neighbors is perhaps best seen in his long-standing partnership with the Bixby Outreach Center. To help combat food insecurity during the holidays, he spent several years personally donating and smoking dozens of turkeys to be distributed through a local church for families in need.

Aflac Agent Mark Jurgensen was nominated largely due to a lifetime of service that began with his military background as a combat lifesaver. His foundation led to more than 25 years of service in public safety, including seven years as a volunteer EMT and 17 years as a volunteer paramedic.

His leadership extends into his household, where he helped guide a fundraising initiative alongside his sons for their Eagle Scout projects, ultimately raising $120,000 to create and expand a local veterans memorial in their hometown. To this day, Mark’s family personally maintains the memorial site year-round to help ensure the community’s veterans are properly honored.

In addition to his veteran advocacy, Mark and his wife foster community spirit by hosting a popular annual haunted house, helping to provide a safe and festive Halloween environment for more than 300 local families each October.

The Agents of Care recognition serves as a testament to the exemplary leadership exhibited by these agents who are living Aflac’s mission to be there for their policyholders when they need it most and exemplifying the culture of care that lies at the heart of the organization.

Interested in a purpose‑led career journey? Click here to learn more about Aflac’s sales positions.

Aflac agents and benefits advisors are independent contractors and are not employees of Aflac.

Aflac | WWHQ |1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

Z2600157

EXP 3/27

Beyond the Grant: 14 Years of Leadership Excellence

Motorola Solutions — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:30:00 -0400

From the heat of the fireground to the strategic demands of the command office, fire leaders must seamlessly pivot from tactical action to visionary leadership. Recognizing this vital work, the Motorola Solutions Foundation has partnered with the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and its Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI) for more than a decade, investing in aspiring executive fire chiefs and equipping the next generation of leaders with the tools to navigate increasingly complex challenges.

Impact defined by its leaders

Hawaii County Fire Chief Kazuo Todd, EOW December 14, 2025, a member of the 2022 FSEDI cohort, was a leader whose impact was felt far beyond the islands he served.

He leveraged the strategic training from FSEDI to champion monumental change, securing an unprecedented $30 million funding increase for his department over three years. This crucial investment fueled critical infrastructure upgrades, including new helicopters and ambulances, expanding his department’s ability to respond to emergencies. Beyond these administrative successes, Chief Todd was a pillar of strength during Hawaii’s devastating 2023 wildfires. He was a tireless champion for the next generation, actively mentoring his staff and advocating for state-wide fire safety reforms.

Jason Shaw, Deputy Chief with the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service and a fellow FSEDI alum, described Chief Todd as a visionary who led with "confidence, courage and a servant’s heart." He noted that the FSDEI program gave Chief Todd "the permission to be vulnerable and the space to learn," transforming him into a "big-time" fire chief who changed fire safety for the State of Hawai'i.

It was this profound impact that made Chief Todd’s sudden passing in early 2026 a moment of deep mourning for the fire service community.

“The Motorola Solutions Foundation is deeply moved by Chief Todd’s legacy,” said Wesley Barden Touhy, executive director of the Foundation. “It’s a powerful reminder that when we invest in a leader, we’re ultimately investing in the safety and resilience of the entire community they serve.”

Inspiring the next generation

Chief Todd’s impact and legacy empower the next generation, and the Motorola Solutions Foundation honors the path he forged by supporting those who follow in his footsteps. The latest FSEDI cohort, the 2026 class of fire service professionals, represents the future of public safety across North America, and the Foundation is privileged to support them as they begin this transformative journey.

Subaru and Gifts for Good Celebrate First-year Results of Customer Appreciation Gifting Program

Subaru of America — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 09:02:00 -0400

CAMDEN, N.J., March 10, 2026 /3BL/ - Subaru of America, Inc. and Gifts for Good™ today announced the first-year results of their national customer appreciation gifting program, a key feature of Subaru’s Love-Encore™ vehicle delivery experience. Subaru customers who purchase a new vehicle and return to their participating retailer for a Subaru Love-Encore delivery receive a gift of their choice; each directly benefiting a nonprofit organization or social enterprise that supports people in need, animals, or the environment. The milestone marks a successful first year of transforming customer gratitude into tangible, measurable impact for people, communities, and the planet.

The program launched on March 1, 2025, as part of the complementary follow-up delivery experience, which invites new customers back to the retailer 14 to 45 days after purchase to meet with a dedicated expert who can answer any questions they have about their new Subaru. As Gifts for Good’s largest corporate partner, Subaru introduced values-driven gifts that allow customers to either choose a mission-aligned product or direct the gift’s value to charity. Each physical gift option is a quality, ethically sourced product that comes with a story card so customers can read about the impact the gift selection has made. Customers also have the option to make a difference by redeeming the gift value towards a charitable impact.

IMPACT AT A GLANCE (Year 1)

141,184 gifts redeemed (50% directed as charitable contribution gifts)
54,213 rides to treatment for cancer patients
594,188 hours (about 68 years) of care for rescue animals across America
13,669 U.S. students in need supplied with a year of school supplies
Eight tons of e-waste potentially diverted from landfills
8,368 trees planted through reforestation projects
11,580 meals provided to people in the U.S. facing food insecurity
8,806 blankets provided to American children entering foster care

Jenise Steverding, Chief Impact Officer, Gifts for Good: “One of the best parts of our platform is that it empowers customers to choose a physical gift or give their gift value to charity. With half of all Subaru gift redemptions supporting charitable outcomes, the program clearly resonates—generating real and measurable impact.”

Tim Tagye, Vice President of Field and Distributor Operations, Subaru of America, Inc.: “Gifts for Good understands the intersection of upholding our brand values and our commitment to the customer experience. At Subaru, we look for partners who view impact and engagement as fundamentally linked, and the Gifts for Good platform meaningfully extends the Subaru experience beyond the showroom, creating a lasting impression throughout the ownership journey.”

Corey Gordon, Chief Executive Officer, Kids In Need Foundation: “Thanks to our valued partnership with Gifts for Good and their work with Subaru, essential resources are going directly into the hands of students and teachers who need them most. We’re proud to be part of this shared effort and the meaningful impact it’s making in classrooms and communities across the country.”

Subaru of America, Inc. and Gifts for Good™ have announced first-year results of their national customer appreciation gifting program, a key feature of Subaru’s Love-Encore™ vehicle delivery experience. As Gifts for Good’s largest corporate partner, Subaru introduced values-driven gifts that allow customers to either choose a mission-aligned product or direct the gift’s value to charity.

The gifting experience was designed to reflect what Subaru customers care about—giving back, ethical products, pets, and the outdoors—offering both mission-driven physical gifts and charitable options tied to real outcomes. In the first year, customers sent 34,075 thank-you notes to Subaru through the gifting platform, underscoring the program’s resonance with new owners.

To ensure every eligible customer can participate, Gifts for Good collaborated with Subaru’s IT team to develop a secure VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) – based eligibility validation method at the retailer upon completion of the Love-Encore visit, enabling participation even for customers without email addresses or internet access.

Many of the physical gifts for the Subaru program are picked and packed in partnership with Goodwill Southern California, supporting job creation and workforce training for individuals facing barriers to employment.

Laura Hertz, CEO, Gifts for Good: “Subaru customers have shown that when given the choice, they want their appreciation to do more. Achieving these kinds of outcomes in just the first year proves that a customer experience moment can also be a community impact moment—scaled nationally.”

To explore the Subaru Love-Encore gifting program and Subaru’s commitment to sustainable, ethical gift sourcing, visit: giftsforgood.com/subaru.

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of about 640 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants, including Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise®, which is the company’s vision to show love and respect to everyone and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $340 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged over 115,000 volunteer hours. Subaru is dedicated to being More Than a Car Company® and to making the world a better place. For additional information, visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube.

About Gifts for Good

Gifts for Good is the leading impact-driven gifting technology company that helps businesses create meaningful corporate gifts that give back. Specializing in products made by nonprofit and social enterprise partners, Gifts for Good makes it easy for companies to integrate giving into employee gifts, client appreciation, and branded merchandise. Since 2017, Gifts for Good has partnered with brands such as Google, Microsoft, Zoom and KPMG, benefiting over 3 million people worldwide and contributing over $4.9 million to charity. The company envisions a world where every gift purchased gives back. Learn more at giftsforgood.com.

###

Diane Anton
Corporate Communications Manager
(856) 488-5093
danton@subaru.com

Adam Leiter
Corporate Communications Specialist
(856) 488-8668
aleiter@subaru.com

Judd Watts
Director, Communications & Public Relations
Gifts for Good
marketing@giftsforgood.com

LA Galaxy Dedicates First-Ever Blind Soccer Pitch in Los Angeles Through PlayLA Adaptive Blind Soccer Experience

AEG — Fri, 6 Mar 2026 16:20:00 -0500

AEG’s LA Galaxy, in partnership with PlayLA Adaptive Sports, the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (USABA), and Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), hosted the PlayLA Adaptive Blind Soccer Experience on Wednesday, March 4, at Dignity Health Sports Park, reinforcing the club’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion through sport.

Nearly 60 blind and visually impaired LAUSD students in grades 3 through 12 participated in a hands-on blind soccer clinic led by USA Blind Soccer Men’s National Team athletes and coaches. Students rotated through skill-building stations focused on dribbling, passing, and penalty kicks, followed by a live blind soccer demonstration match.

The event culminated with the dedication of the LA Galaxy’s first-ever blind soccer pitch, a significant milestone in the club’s community efforts and part of a broader movement to expand adaptive sports opportunities nationwide ahead of the LA28 Paralympic Games, where blind soccer will make its Paralympic debut for Team USA.

“Sport has the power to bring people together and open doors that might not otherwise exist,” said Gabe Osollo, Director, Community Relations and LA Galaxy Foundation. “Dedicating our first blind soccer pitch and welcoming LAUSD students to Dignity Health Sports Park reflects our belief that the game should be accessible to everyone. We’re proud to work alongside PlayLA, USABA, and LAUSD to help grow adaptive sports and create more inclusive opportunities for young athletes across Los Angeles.”

USA Blind Soccer Men’s National Team players Charles Catherine, Ethan Kunes, Alvaro Morena, Ricky Castaneda, Oseas De Leon, John Marquez, Noah Beckman, and Brandt Herron were in attendance, along with Head Coach Jorge Polanco and PlayLA Blind Soccer Coach Evelina Cabrera, who guided participants throughout the experience.

The day concluded with a pitch dedication ceremony and community lunch on the stadium concourse. Volunteer support was provided by Anthem Blue Cross associates and local partner organizations, highlighting the collaborative effort behind the initiative.

Through PlayLA and its broader community programming, the LA Galaxy continue to leverage their platform to remove barriers to participation and ensure that youth of all abilities have access to the game and its benefits.

Ontario Reign Celebrate Women in Sports Through Community, Hockey, and Leadership

AEG — Thu, 5 Mar 2026 15:55:00 -0500

AEG’s Ontario Reign reinforced its commitment to inclusion, leadership, and community engagement during its annual Women in Sports Hockey Game on March 1, 2026, at Toyota Arena. The event celebrated the growing influence of women across athletics while creating meaningful opportunities for the next generation of players and leaders.

The day began with a Women in Sports Clinic and Panel hosted by the Hope Reigns Foundation. Designed to expand access to the sport, the program invited girls and women from across the community to engage with hockey both on and off the ice through skill development and career-focused conversations.

Participants first took part in a Learn to Skate session focused on building confidence and accessibility for newcomers. The clinic was followed by a panel discussion featuring LA Kings Scout and Community & Hockey Development Specialist Blake Bolden, Minnesota Frost forward Dominique Petrie of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), and former NWHL player Paige Capistran. Panelists shared insights from their career journeys across professional hockey, scouting, broadcasting, and leadership, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, perseverance, and expanding opportunities for women in sports.

“This event is about creating access and showing girls and women that there is a place for them in hockey—whether that’s on the ice, behind the scenes, or in leadership roles,” said Madelyn Morgan, Community Relations and Events Coordinator for the Ontario Reign.

The celebration continued throughout the evening with ceremonial puck drops and in-game interviews featuring the panelists. The Reign also hosted a Diaper Drive in partnership with the Child Care Resource Center, extending the event’s impact beyond the arena to support local families.

Through its Women in Sports Game, the Ontario Reign demonstrated how sports can serve as a platform for empowerment, community connection, and meaningful social impact—on the ice and beyond.

Relationship Building Key to Impacting Young People As ScottsMiracle-Gro Supports The Legacy Project

ScottsMiracle-Gro — Thu, 5 Mar 2026 10:30:00 -0500

“Relationship building is the key to having any kind of impact on young people,” says Teresa Scott, coach for The Legacy Project.

The Legacy Project is designed to meet underserved students where they are. Through individualized coaching, real-world career exploration and scholarship support, the holistic program empowers students to build the future they want.

This was easy to see when the fifth cohort visited the ScottsMiracle-Gro world headquarters in Marysville, Ohio. Whether they were planting basil seeds, discussing marketing with our associates or handling an African giant millipede for the first time, the goal was clear – to provide the foundation that allows students to forge their own paths to success.

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation is dedicated to partnering with The Hagedorn Foundation this International Day of Education to nurture the potential of these students.

View original content here.

About ScottsMiracle-Gro
With approximately $3.4 billion in sales, the Company is the leading marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden products in North America. The Company’s brands are among the most recognized in the industry. The Company’s Scotts®, Miracle-Gro®, Ortho® and Tomcat® brands are market-leading in their categories. For additional information, visit us at www.scottsmiraclegro.com.

Corporate Volunteering Needs To Change, and It Starts With Us

Benevity — Thu, 5 Mar 2026 10:00:00 -0500

We need to talk about corporate volunteering.
Not the glossy, camera-ready version.
Not the annual “day of service.”
Not the language we’ve lovingly used for decades — language that, if we’re honest, no longer matches reality.

I’m talking about the reality of employee volunteering. The one our data from The State of Corporate Volunteering 2026 report reveals with clarity and a little discomfort.

Despite record participation and surging corporate investment, it’s unclear if volunteering is delivering what we actually need. Participation is up (amazing and worthy of celebration!), but hours per volunteer are at a seven-year low (also worthy of taking a beat!).

Employees want purpose, and they’re choosing bite-sized acts as their preferred method.

Companies want engagement and community impact, but nonprofits need funding and reliable, skilled volunteers to help build their capacity and get AI-ready.

Many C-suite executives want proof of value, and we don’t always have it.

We’re growing, but are we aligning?

We’re doing more, but are we doing what matters?

We’re celebrating participation, but do we also know what the outcomes are?

If many of us were to share our inside voice, we’d admit that while we are celebrating our wins, we are also quietly asking ourselves whether our volunteering strategies are suited to the world we’re living in now. Our intuition is telling us it’s great, but maybe it’s not enough.

That’s the dissonance. And it’s time we confront it.

Employee volunteering isn’t sacred. It’s a system. And systems evolve.

For too long, we’ve treated corporate volunteering primarily as a moral good that gets connected to business outcomes like employee engagement, culture and belonging.

The language we use reinforces this. “Volunteer Time Off” (VTO) implies volunteering is time away from meaningful work, instead of time invested in something that delivers returns to the business. What if we treated VTO as a core component of our work by reframing it as "Skills Development Time," for example?

And what if we started acting like what we know is true — that volunteering is:
A skill-building investment
A training ground for empathy, adaptability and leadership
A mechanism for trust, connection and community among distributed teams
A way for people to grow personally while strengthening the business
Time to innovate new solutions that generate business and social value

If these things are true for business — and we believe they are — then the biggest barrier to unlocking volunteering’s potential isn’t just money, time or interest. It’s our unwillingness to evolve our models. It’s our uncertainty of diving into uncharted territory. It’s a lack of time and energy to think differently (we all know how busy our jobs have been since 2020!). And frankly, it’s our outdated language.

Language shapes behaviour. Behaviour shapes culture. Culture shapes community.
Corporate volunteering doesn’t need to be protected. It needs to be unleashed.

The world is changing. Corporate volunteering needs to catch up.

The reality is that good volunteering requires more than what companies are dedicating to it now. Yes, there is investment. But there is also a growing amount of work and expectations being put on small, centralized CSR teams. Teams that are struggling to scale and tailor their programs to their employees and the nonprofits they want to support. Volunteering requires time, money and better technology, deployed in ways that serve the end goal.

Employees are navigating massive changes in life and work within a volatile economy, high cost of living, geopolitical disruptions and the rapid pace of AI transformation — all of which are affecting job certainty, mental health and wellbeing. The confluence of these changes is leading to competing priorities, higher rates of social isolation and loneliness, and very real financial pressure.

Meanwhile, nonprofits are under extraordinary strain, pushed beyond capacity by rising community needs and shrinking resources, exacerbated in the U.S. by an onslaught of regulatory and political changes that are demanding more investment in legal, marketing and branding. They need deeper support — not just more volunteers.
Despite all of this, we have enormous ambition for volunteering. It is expected to deliver:

Employee engagement
Community impact
Culture and connection
Skills development
Wellbeing
Business resilience

It’s an enormous burden to place on a strained system. This is an inflection point. And it’s also an invitation.

We need experiments, not elegance. Evidence, not assumptions.

If we want to successfully design the next era of workforce volunteering, we need to slow the theorizing and accelerate the experimentation — openly, humbly and collaboratively.

That’s why in 2026, Benevity is committing to a year of experimentation to build a body of evidence around what works. Real programs, with real data, tested hypotheses and shared learnings. And transparently, these insights are needed for us to help build the best practices and technology that delivers on the needs of tomorrow, while we solve for the strain of running corporate volunteering programs today.

Our suggested approach rests on three principles:
‍
1 - Be less precious
Let’s release our grip on the tactics that no longer serve us. We need to build ones that work with how the world works now and in the future.

2 - Invite experimentation
We need a robust body of evidence. Hard data. Comparative insights. In addition to anecdotal success stories, we need to discover how to be uncomfortable, challenge the status quo, test new models, new language and new definitions of value.
What happens if employee volunteering is framed as:

Innovation time?
Professional development?
Skills deployment?
A resilience strategy?
Community co-design?

We don’t know yet. But we will one day if we start experimenting now.

3 - Learn together
This is not a Benevity job. Nor is it a nonprofit challenge. It’s a collective call to action.
We are already partnering across the ecosystem — with nonprofits, researchers, practitioners, impact leaders who are ready to explore new ideas. Together, we will spark conversation, pressure-test assumptions, test, learn and shape the path forward for the future of volunteering.
We’re prepared to share what we learn — even and especially — the uncomfortable parts. And together we will build the proof for what is next.
The sector doesn’t need more polish. It needs progress.

International Volunteer Year — a moment made for reinvention

2026 is the United Nation's International Volunteer Year — a time to celebrate volunteers. It arrives at a time when corporate volunteering is both more essential and more strained than ever. We are being reminded to pay attention.

Employees are searching for meaning, purpose and connection.

Companies are doubling down on volunteering.

It’s time to embrace corporate volunteering as a business investment like any other. As an imperative and a strategic capability. As a lever for creativity, innovation, leadership development and resilience. Now’s our chance to re-invent it. A global moment to shift from intention to innovation.
‍
The invitation — let’s reimagine corporate volunteering

This moment calls for leadership. It calls for courage. And it calls for companies to move beyond what we already know toward a new era of experimentation, collaboration and shared learning.

For as long as I have been in this space, we have focused on driving participation. The good news is that average participation rates have increased 30% over the past six years. This is phenomenal. This proves that what we focus on is where we succeed. So what is our future definition of success?

The volunteering of today is not — and will not be — the volunteering of tomorrow.
To fully unlock the promise of corporate volunteering, we must co-create new models that meet the needs of all stakeholders:

Nonprofits who require deeper, skilled and reliable support
Employees seeking purpose, flexibility and connection
Corporations striving to build resilient businesses with connected cultures
Communities navigating increasing complexity and need

No single organization can solve this alone. Meaningful change requires cross-sector partnership and collective innovation. If you believe volunteering is one of the most powerful engines for human and organizational transformation, join us.

If you think the old models are no longer enough, help us build new ones.

If you want to co-design the future of corporate volunteering — one that is unequivocally a driver of business value and social impact — tell us! Share your commitments and experimentation ideas through this form (kind of old school, but it works!).

And if you disagree with this provocation? Even better. Tell us why. Add your voice. Help us shape what comes next.

Because the future of volunteering won’t emerge on its own. We have to create it together.

Strong Teams Build Strong Communities

Comcast — Tue, 3 Mar 2026 15:30:00 -0500

When communities are tested by tragedy, recovery is not only about rebuilding—it’s about restoring hope, dignity, and a sense of belonging. In Los Angeles County, families impacted by the devastating wildfires of 2025 know this reality all too well. Entire neighborhoods were altered overnight, and for many communities like Altadena, the loss extended far beyond physical structures.

The LA Clippers, Habitat for Humanity, Nike and Comcast NBCUniversal came together to host the final of three home builds for LA County families whose lives were upended by the 2025 wildfires.

At Comcast NBCUniversal, we believe that strong teams build strong communities. That belief guided our partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, NBA, the LA Clippers, and San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity, as we came together to support more than 112 households rebuilding their lives after unimaginable loss.

Kathy Behrens, NBA President of Social Responsibility & Player Programs, kick off the day by welcoming hundreds of attendees and partners.

Our employee volunteers were central to this work. Over several months, and three community build days in October, December, and February, Comcast NBCUniversal employee volunteers worked alongside Clippers teammates and coaches, Habitat experts, and community members to construct homes, frame walls, assemble furniture, and create spaces where families can thrive. This direct hands-on support of families reinforced the idea that recovery is not something we do for communities, but with them. Our volunteers alongside Clippers players, coaches and NBA legends added an inspiring reminder that rebuilding is a shared responsibility, and that community extends far beyond team lines or corporate walls.

Volunteers assembling interior structures for homes.

This effort is deeply connected to Project UP, our comprehensive commitment to build a future of unlimited possibilities. Safe, stable housing is foundational to that commitment.

Dalila Wilson-Scott, Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation President, welcomes attendees and thanks partners for collaborating to make impact in the communities we serve.

The final community build and home unveiling took place at the 18^th Annual NBA Carers All-Star Day of Service in Los Angeles. And two families — one from Los Angeles and one from the San Gabriel Valley — were recognized as the newest recipients of homes built through this effort. Hosting this milestone during a global celebration of sports underscored the spirit of teamwork and unity that defined the entire effort.

A volunteer applies primer to moulding during the rebuild efforts.

Our commitment to Los Angeles County will not end with the final build. Comcast NBCUniversal has a long-standing presence in California, and we remain dedicated to serving the communities where our employees live and work. From disaster recovery to workforce development and community partnerships, we continue to invest in initiatives that create lasting impact and advance opportunity for generations to come.

Local Habitat for Humanity CEOs Erin Rank and Bryan Wong express gratitude for helping Angelenos impacted by the 2025 wildfires.

We are incredibly proud of our employees who volunteered their time, skills, and hearts to this effort. Their dedication reflects the best of Comcast NBCUniversal and our shared values of service, impact, inclusion, and care. When we show up together—across companies, sectors, and communities—we don’t just rebuild homes. We help rebuild lives.

Former NBA Player Joakim Noah helps with painting materials.

Strong teams truly do build strong communities. And in Los Angeles, that strength is rising—one home, one family, and one partnership at a time.

Dalila Wilson-Scott, Chief Impact & Inclusion Officer, Comcast Corporation and President, Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation

Hilary Smith, EVP, Corporate Social Responsibility, NBCUniversal

About Comcast

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

Benevity Impact Labs Releases State of Corporate Volunteering 2026 Report

Benevity — Mon, 2 Mar 2026 10:15:00 -0500

CALGARY, Alberta, March 2, 2026 /3BL/ - Benevity, Inc., the leading provider of global corporate purpose software, today released a new report that reveals a growing tension between corporate volunteering and nonprofit needs as employee volunteering reaches record levels. Benevity Impact Labs’ State of Corporate Volunteering 2026 report highlights continued and significant growth in employee volunteer participation. However, amidst a government funding crisis, a volatile economy and a rapidly changing AI landscape, nonprofit needs are shifting. While volunteering remains a top priority for corporate impact programs, nonprofits list funding as their top strategic priority, which demands that corporate impact leaders re-consider whether their current programs are designed to meet the needs of the future.

As 2026 marks the United Nations’ International Volunteer Year and a global spotlight is placed on volunteering as a driver of social cohesion, the Benevity report surfaces another growing disconnect. While corporate volunteering remains a key driver of employee retention and culture-building, the data reveals a transition toward more episodic employee engagement. This calls for companies to move beyond the optics of high participation and toward a sustainable model that prioritizes more consistent, specialized - including AI-centric - support that nonprofits require to thrive.

“On paper, corporate volunteering has never looked better with record rates of employee volunteerism,” said Sona Khosla, Chief Impact Officer at Benevity. “Since the pandemic, we’ve successfully embedded employee volunteering across the corporate landscape, and companies have increased their investment, but we haven't yet optimized it for the world we live in today. We cannot continue to allow hours to imply impact. When you look closely, you see more volunteers giving less time, nonprofits asking for different forms of support, and very little measurement of actual outcomes. That’s a clear signal the system needs to evolve.”

The State of Corporate Volunteering 2026: A System Ripe for Reimagining analyzes anonymized, aggregated data from the Benevity platform between 2019 and 2025, as well as nonprofit surveys and third‑party research.

Key findings from the State of Corporate Volunteering 2026

The report offers current data and major trends shaping the future of corporate volunteering:

Companies are driving record rates of employee volunteering. Corporate volunteers logged 23.7 million approved hours in 2025, a 175% increase since 2019, while the number of unique volunteers more than tripled to 1.87 million. Average program participation rates rose 30%, from 10.4% to 13.6%.
The depth of employee volunteering is declining. Average hours per volunteer fell from 16.4 to 12.7 per year over the six‑year period.
The phenomenon of “micro‑volunteers” is increasing. Employees contributing fewer than five hours per year now account for roughly 60% of all volunteers, signaling a shift toward short, flexible activities over long‑term commitments.
The gap between corporate priorities and nonprofit needs is widening. Most companies are planning to increase budgets for employee, team and skills‑based volunteering, yet only about 20% of nonprofit leaders say corporate volunteers contribute meaningfully to long‑term capacity. Many nonprofits report difficulty finding volunteers with the right skills or availability during the workday, even as opportunities for service projects are growing.
AI literacy is a critical, unmet need for nonprofits. Data from Benevity partner, Goodera, shows 71% of nonprofits identified the ability to leverage AI for operational efficiency as an urgent priority, from communications and fundraising to impact measurement. Yet Benevity data finds that only 3% of nonprofits are using AI extensively today, with many still experimenting or not considering it at all — creating a major opportunity for skills‑based volunteering.
A measurement gap is obscuring business value and nonprofit impact. The research confirms that employee volunteering drives business value, but most companies are not measuring business outcomes as a result of corporate investments in volunteering.

“The UN’s International Volunteer Year (IVY) comes as corporate volunteering is at an inflection point,” Khosla added. “The next chapter will belong to companies that work deeply with nonprofits to re-imagine volunteering programs with a focus on mutualism for nonprofits and employees, and a move beyond counting hours to achieving higher-level business objectives.”

###

About Benevity

Benevity, a certified B Corporation, is the global leader in enterprise social impact software. Benevity’s all-in-one platform empowers the world’s most purpose-driven companies to seamlessly integrate corporate social responsibility into their core business strategy - driving measurable, scalable, and lasting impact. Benevity has supported more than $44 billion to more than 560,000 nonprofit organizations and enabled over 7.7 million changemakers worldwide since 2008, empowering organizations to build trust, engage employees, boost retention, and drive innovation. Its unified platform supports giving, volunteering, granting, and employee mobilization - backed by intelligent insights and a secure, global infrastructure. For more information, visit www.benevity.com

About Benevity Impact Labs

Benevity Impact Labs is a social innovation lab that brings new data, research and insights to help companies, nonprofits and individuals accelerate their social impact and inclusion efforts. With unparalleled access to the world’s most iconic brands, Benevity Impact Labs combines Benevity’s robust data and insights with third-party research to report on the top trends shaping corporate purpose and to provide measurable proof of the value of social impact. For more insights, visit benevity.com/research.

Motorola Solutions Foundation Invests Over $10 Million to Support First Responders and Future Innovators

Motorola Solutions — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:35:00 -0500

CHICAGO, February 25, 2026 /3BL/ – The Motorola Solutions Foundation, the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI), today announced its significant 2025 impact, including over $10 million in strategic grants and a new company record of more than 125,000 employee volunteer hours. These milestones reflect the Foundation's three core pillars: uplifting the first responder community, empowering the next generation of innovators and inspiring a global employee culture of volunteerism.

Uplifting the First Responder Community

A 2025 report revealed that police officers are 54% more likely to die by suicide than the average civilian, and firefighters remain more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty.

This crisis is more than a statistic; it is a personal battle for those on the front lines. To help address this urgent need, the Foundation supports programs like First Responders’ Bridge, which provides a lifeline to individuals like Sgt. Brandon Qualls, a police officer in Muncie, Indiana.

“I'd decided that I was going to take my life ... it was very soon after that when my wife came to me about the Bridge,” said Sgt. Qualls. “A speaker was talking about the symptoms of PTSD, and I remember thinking that described a lot of what was going on with me. The Bridge, without a doubt, saved my life.”

In 2025, the Foundation awarded over $5 million to first responder programs, including $1.9 million for mental health and wellness, $1.5 million to support the families of the fallen and $1.3 million to programs focused on recruitment and leadership development to counter staffing shortages.

Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators

The Foundation's commitment to innovation directly confronts a critical challenge: students from under-resourced high schools are less than half as likely to complete STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) degrees compared to their peers from higher-resourced schools, according to a 2025 report. To help dismantle this barrier, the Foundation committed more than $5 million to programs providing technology and engineering education.

“This scholarship not only eases the financial burden of college but also motivates me to keep striving for excellence,” said Kang, a recipient of William Rainey Harper College’s Motorola Solutions Foundation Engineering Pathways and Award for Excellence Scholarship. “[The Foundation’s] generosity has made a real impact on my journey, and I hope to one day pay it forward.”

This targeted investment supports students at every stage of their academic journey. From hands-on technology activities and vocational skills to teacher development and scholarships, the Foundation helps convert students’ interests into careers, cultivating a robust pipeline of innovators for the future.

Inspiring a Global Culture of Giving Back

The impact of the Foundation’s strategic grants is amplified by employee commitment. In 2025, Motorola Solutions employees logged over 125,000 volunteer hours in 40 countries, and the Foundation issued over $1.3 million in employee matching donations.

"Giving back is a deeply personal journey, and we are committed to helping our employees translate their passions into lasting legacies,” said Wesley Barden Touhy, executive director of the Motorola Solutions Foundation. “From matching their volunteer hours to connecting them with non-profits that are personally meaningful, we're proud to empower our people in all they do as a positive force for change."

Through the Motorola Matches program, the Foundation amplifies employee engagement by matching both volunteer hours ('Donations for Doers') and financial contributions ('Donations for Donors').

About the Motorola Solutions Foundation

As the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions, the Motorola Solutions Foundation partners with organizations around the world to create safer cities and thriving communities. We focus on giving back through strategic grants, employee volunteerism and other community investment initiatives, and our strategic grants program supports organizations that offer first responder programming and technology and engineering education. The Foundation is one of the many ways in which the company is helping to create safer communities. For more information on Motorola Solutions corporate and foundation giving, visit our website: www.motorolasolutions.com/foundation

Media Contact
Sarah Eckhaus
sarah.eckhaus@motorolasolutions.com
224-329-6600

MetLife Skills in Action: Empowering Non-Profits to Thrive

MetLife — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 14:05:00 -0500

Watch this video to learn how Metlife employee volunteers are using their expertise to help nonprofits thrive.

At MetLife, we believe volunteering can be a powerful force for good. Through our MetLife Skills for Impact program, employees partner directly with nonprofits – bringing their knowledge and experience to help them tackle mission-critical challenges and build solutions that strengthen communities.

Pioneers for Good: Highlights of Voices and Impact in 2025

Henkel — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 10:45:00 -0500

The Pioneering Spirit Across Henkel

At Henkel North America, our pioneers drive meaningful change. They go above and beyond to support their communities, inspire their colleagues, and pave the way for future generations—making a positive difference both within Henkel and in the communities where they live and work.

Together, these pioneers have made a tangible difference by leading the creation and growth of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) within Henkel, fostering inclusion, and creating spaces where employees feel supported and empowered. Beyond Henkel, they’ve championed initiatives that benefit people and our planet—from volunteering and mentoring to organizing events that bring communities together for a greater cause.

Through their collective actions, they are shaping a purposeful future for the next generations, inspiring others to get involved, and reinforcing Henkel’s commitment to be a force for good in the world.

Being a Pioneer for Good

We’re proud to celebrate the efforts and impact of our pioneers for good and share their voices in this video montage. Stay tuned as we continue to highlight the heart and impact of Henkel employees each month.

AB Volunteers Support Munich Young People in Need

AllianceBernstein — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 08:35:00 -0500

At AB, our volunteer program reflects our commitment to serving our local communities. In Munich, our team dedicated two days to organizing and building a workstation while repairing bicycles for Arche Kinderstiftung, an organization that supports children and young people in need. Meanwhile, AB Japan partnered with Katariba to host a financial education event for high school students, where they explored career paths, interviewed employees, and networked over lunch. Our Bernstein West Palm Beach office took on the role of "Chef for a Day" at Quantum House, a nonprofit hospitality home that supports families with children undergoing medical treatment.

AllianceBernstein (AB) is a leading global investment management firm that offers diversified investment services to institutional investors, individuals, and private wealth clients in major world markets.

To be effective stewards of our clients’ assets, we strive to invest responsibly—assessing, engaging on and integrating material issues, including environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations into most of our actively managed strategies (approximately 79% of AB’s actively managed assets under management as of December 31, 2024).

Our purpose—to pursue insight that unlocks opportunity—describes the ethos of our firm. Because we are an active investment manager, differentiated insights drive our ability to design innovative investment solutions and help our clients achieve their investment goals. We became a signatory to the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in 2011. This began our journey to formalize our approach to identifying responsible ways to unlock opportunities for our clients through integrating material ESG factors throughout most of our actively managed equity and fixed-income client accounts, funds and strategies. Material ESG factors are important elements in forming insights and in presenting potential risks and opportunities that can affect the performance of the companies and issuers that we invest in and the portfolios that we build. AB also engages issuers when it believes the engagement is in the best financial interest of its clients.

Our values illustrate the behaviors and actions that create our strong culture and enable us to meet our clients' needs. Each value inspires us to be better:

Invest in One Another: At AB, there’s no “one size fits all” and no mold to break. We celebrate idiosyncrasy and make sure everyone’s voice is heard. We seek and include talented people with diverse skills, abilities and backgrounds, who expand our thinking. A mosaic of perspectives makes us stronger, helping us to nurture enduring relationships and build actionable solutions.
Strive for Distinctive Knowledge: Intellectual curiosity is in our DNA. We embrace challenging problems and ask tough questions. We don’t settle for easy answers when we seek to understand the world around us—and that’s what makes us better investors and partners to our colleagues and clients. We are independent thinkers who go where the research and data take us. And knowing more isn’t the end of the journey, it’s the start of a deeper conversation.
Speak with Courage and Conviction: Collegial debate yields conviction, so we challenge one another to think differently. Working together enables us to see all sides of an issue. We stand firmly behind our ideas, and we recognize that the world is dynamic. To keep pace with an ever changing world and industry, we constantly reassess our views and share them with intellectual honesty. Above all, we strive to seek and speak truth to our colleagues, clients and others as a trusted voice of reason.
Act with Integrity—Always: Although our firm is comprised of multiple businesses, disciplines and individuals, we’re united by our commitment to be strong stewards for our people and our clients. Our fiduciary duty and an ethical mind-set are fundamental to the decisions we make.

As of December 31, 2024, AB had $792B in assets under management, $555B of which were ESG-integrated. Additional information about AB may be found on our website, www.alliancebernstein.com.

Learn more about AB’s approach to responsibility here.

2,000 Volunteers Join Forces to Combat Food Insecurity at 15th Annual Million Meal Marathon, presented by KeyBank

KeyBank — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

On February 10, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the Indiana Pacers and Fever, transformed into a high‑energy meal‑packing operation for the 15th annual Million Meal Marathon, a large‑scale volunteer event led by Million Meal Movement to pack meals for Hoosier families in need. KeyBank proudly sponsored this year’s marathon, with nearly five dozen teammates volunteering their time to pack meals.

In total, 330,000 meals were assembled and prepared for distribution.

“Nearly one in five Hoosiers faces food insecurity,” said Nancy Hintz, Executive Director of Million Meal Movement. “Having Hoosiers come together, work together to make a big impact is incredible to see. We care about one another here in the Midwest and we’re making a difference for the future.”

For KeyBank, the Marathon is more than a single day of service, it’s a valued tradition that brings teammates together around a shared commitment to helping their community.

“We believe in our community and by sponsoring this great event we’re playing a small part in bettering those around us,” said Juan Gonzalez, Market President of KeyBank in Central Indiana. “The best part about this is the visual proof of your work. You can see the packages of food you helped assemble and know immediately that you were part of the solution.”

Meals packed during the Million Meal Marathon will be distributed quickly through Indiana food banks and pantries, continuing Million Meal Movement’s mission of fighting hunger and promoting volunteerism. Since 2007, the organization has provided more than 36 million meals statewide.

KeyBank, Edna Martin Christian Center Team Up to Pack 10,000 Meals to Fight Hunger in Indianapolis | 3BL

News Coverage:

Million Meal Marathon takes place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse | WTHR-TV

Million Meal Marathon takes over Gainbridge Fieldhouse | WISH-TV

Indiana’s Million Meal Marathon aims to combat food insecurity with 1 million meals | WISH-TV

Million Meal Marathon Aims to Pack 1 Million Meals in One Day | WIBC Radio

More than 2,000 Hoosier volunteers take part in Million Meal Marathon | IndyStar

Army of volunteers aim to make one million meals for food banks at annual event | WFYI