Community Development

With a few simple steps, we can help transform an event into a sustainable gathering. Many of our facilities have been awarded third-party environmental certification, providing a robust foundation for a successful sustainable meeting.

Joy Stoddard is the Development and Outreach Director for Whole Planet Foundation, the nonprofit arm of Whole Foods Market. We were lucky enough to have a conversation with Joy about her motivation to give back, stemming from her earliest job as a candy striper to her career with Whole Foods. Joy has traveled the world working with microentrepreneurs and shared her unique perspective of having sought out opportunities to make an impact through for-profit businesses and nonprofit organizations alike.

Meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires coordinated action by local civil society, the business community and international donor organizations. We talk to Anders Gerdin, to understand the perspective of the development agencies and policymakers involved in this effort. ​

On July 7, 2017, approximately 400 participants came out to the Xylem Innovation Official Opening in Montecchio Maggiore, Italy. A Xylem Watermark section of the opening was managed by Xylem volunteers, who were available all evening to answer questions, collect donations and raise awareness of Xylem Watermark.

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, and in keeping with its philosophy of supporting local communities, Subaru of America, Inc. announced today its donation of 50 vehicles to Meals on Wheels America. This fall, 50 new 2018 Subaru Outback vehicles will be donated to select Meals on Wheels programs throughout the county, to be used in the delivery of an estimated 53,000 meals to an additional 3,700 seniors across 39 states. The donation will address the Meals on Wheels network’s growing demand for fuel-efficient, versatile and safe delivery vehicles to enable our nation’s most vulnerable seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity.

The 10K is hosted by Whole Planet Foundation, a nonprofit established by Whole Foods Market. The foundation pledges to give 100 percent of registration fees to “fund microcredit loans to lift entrepreneurs and their families out of poverty in 69 countries.” Many of the entrepreneurs are women in developing countries. Here’s a great infographic that highlights the work of the foundation.

Whirlpool Corporation interns joined employees to volunteer and build homes as part of the company's longstanding partnership with Habitat for Humanity.

A bench created from 500 pounds of recycled plastic caps collected by Essity and Fairview 4H Club members, and sorted by the 4H Club, was recently dedicated to Outagamie County Parks (placed next to the Newton Blackmour State Trail) and in the Village of Black Creek, Wisconsin.

General Motors, The Skillman Foundation and the Cody Rouge Community Action Alliance are collaborating to revitalize and strengthen the Cody Rouge community in Detroit. The groups will amplify collective strengths and capital – both human and financial – to achieve measureable positive change in the neighborhood, which recently announced a strategic, resident-led transformation plan.

UPS (NYSE:UPS) announced that Myron Gray, President, U.S. Operations, is the recipient of the Charles Collins Distinguished Trustee award from the National Urban League for his service and mentorship upholding the work and ideals of the National Urban League.