Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect over one billion people worldwide. This group of viral, bacterial and parasitic diseases can be found in 149 countries – that’s 76 percent of countries in the world – and most often affects impoverished populations, who lack access to clean water or sanitation and live in close contact with infectious vectors. The effects of NTDs on communities can be devastating – keeping children out of school and preventing adults from going to work or caring for themselves or their families.

Young minds dream big, and when given the opportunity, they have the innate ability to spark change for the betterment of communities large and small. Today, Discovery Education (@DiscoveryEd) and 3M (@3M) announced 10 finalists from across America as part of its Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge (#YoungScientist). This competition recognizes students in grades 6-8 who exude curiosity in the scientific process and inspire peers to solve the biggest challenges of the present and future.

Antea Group facilitated discussions on the circular economy at Silicon Valley Leadership Group’s May 2018 Energy and Sustainability Summit in CA.

Carnival Cruise Line – which has raised more than $16 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital over the past eight years and serves as its Official Celebration Partner – has been named the organization’s “Corporate Partner of the Year” for its outstanding support through innovative fundraising activities and engaging on-site events for patients.

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) proudly announced this week that Braden Milford of Tulsa, Oklahoma has won the 2018 U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP), the nation’s most prestigious youth competition for water-related research sponsored by Xylem. Students from 49 states and Puerto Rico competed for the prize from June 16-17 at University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The SJWP aims to increase students’ interest in water issues, research, and careers, as well as to raise awareness about global water challenges. The competition is open to projects focused on improving water quality, water resource management, water protection, and drinking water and wastewater treatment.

Building on the company’s longstanding commitment to education and continuing its more than 80-year legacy in Brazil, SC Johnson today proudly joined the State of Ceará and the Federation of Industry of Ceará (FIEC) to celebrate the construction of the new Escola Johnson in Fortaleza, Brazil. Through an SC Johnson commitment of $250,000, Escola Johnson will install solar panels that cover 100% of the electrical design of the facility – making it a first-of-its kind sustainable school in the area.

Allstate Foundation Purple Purse, together with program ambassador and tennis champion Serena Williams, today announced a national street art campaign to educate the public about domestic violence and make the invisible weapon of financial abuse visible to all.

What is meant by “enlightened self-interest,” and how does it inform consumer decisions? Shel Horowitz, a profitability and marketing consultant for green and sustainable businesses, thinks that moving forward, more and more of us will be doing our own legwork when it comes to making well-informed purchasing decisions. Furthermore, he thinks that more socially-responsible consumer choices have a hidden bonus: more profit. This week on Sea Change Radio, we speak to Horowitz about the ripple effect of socially-responsible business practices into developing nations, talk about the business edge that comes with being a socially responsible company, and break down the role of the general public in all of this.

Service Unites 2018, powered by Points of Light, convened nearly 2,000 nonprofit, government, business and civic leaders from 38 countries to gain and share the knowledge, resources and connections needed to galvanize the power of people to create change globally. During the three-day Atlanta event, Points of Light recognized four inspiring changemakers by presenting them with Daily Point of Light Awards, a prestigious honor started by President George H.W. Bush during his presidency. Points of Light also announced the 2018 honorees of The Civic 50, a recognition of the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States.

In my 25+ year career, I’ve had the opportunity to help individuals and organizations connected to the causes they care about. As President and CEO of America’s Charities, I also have the vantage point of seeing how employee giving and volunteering has rapidly transformed over the past few years.