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Largest to Smallest, Businesses Around the Globe Are Giving Back

This article is more than 10 years old.

The more research I do into corporate social responsibility, the more I find that corporate giving is almost ubiquitous. Everywhere I turn, I find increasing evidence of corporate generosity coming from the largest to the smallest organizations.

Pam Erickson, the Vice President of Community Relations for Raytheon, #351 on the Forbes Global 2000, said, “At Raytheon, we integrate corporate responsibility into everything we do. With global reach comes global responsibility, and we take that responsibility very seriously.” She went on to describe some of the specific projects that Raytheon tackles, including their STEM education initiative, MathMovesU, and various charitable giving programs. She also touts Raytheons commitment to diversity, ethics, good governance, energy conservation and safety. “The spirit and engagement of our 68,000 employees worldwide is astounding. Raytheon’s employees are passionate about volunteerism; each day Raytheon employees are making a difference in their communities —be it, one student, one armed service member or one community at a time,” she said.

While Erickson is enthusiastic about the impact to individuals, the scale of giving that comes from a large corporation like Raytheon is truly impressive. Erickson reports, “Through programs such as MathMovesU, Raytheon and its employees have touched the lives of more than 3 million students, teachers and parents. Since its inception in 2005, MathMovesU has supported tomorrow’s innovators through dedication, inspiration and a financial commitment to STEM education, which has totaled close to $100 million in contributions and grants.”

Erickson noted that, “Good corporate citizenship is good business.” She explained how this works, saying, “As a company of engineers, building the U.S. talent pipeline to support the next wave of technologists and innovators is critical not only for Raytheon’s continued success, but also for that of our nation. Since 2005, MathMovesU has engaged students with the goal of inspiring them to create a new, lifelong relationship with math and science – one that opens a world of possibilities in STEM. Over the years, MathMovesU has grown from a middle-school focus to today when we’re involved in every aspect of the STEM pipeline up through higher education. MathMovesU’s approach is interactive, experiential and exciting, which reflects the scientific and engineering culture of our company and our country. We are proud of our efforts in fostering excitement for STEM education in students who will become our country’s next wave of technologists and innovators – many of whom we hope to employ one day.”

Small firms, too, are engaging actively in social good. Elle Kaplan, the CEO of Lexion Capital Management, says she spends time as a volunteer, teaching high school and college students about the financial markets. She said, “Our mission is to revolutionize Wall Street by making independent, fiduciary-level asset management services accessible.” As examples of giving back to the community, she noted, “Employees are also encouraged to participate in various causes of their choice and passion. Some of which have been organizing empowerment events through WIN NYC (Women's Information Network) and volunteering at local youth empowerment camps such as the NYCRC (New York City Rock Camp.)”

Kaplan says that her mission is the key to the success of the firm, “Lexion Capital was immediately successful, and has continued to grow rapidly since the first day I opened for business. In a highly polluted industry, our unique mission-driven approach resonates significantly with clients, the press, and the public. As a result, we have emerged as a national thought leader in finance. We are able to leverage this success as a platform from which to educate, inspire, and advocate for a better Wall Street.”

Between the scale of giving from the Global 2000 and boutique, we find all a wide range of middle-American companies giving back in meaningful ways.

Bryan Simpson of New Belgium Brewing in Fort Collins, Colorado, reported multi-million-dollar commitments to sustainability and social causes, “As members of 1% For The Planet since 2007 New Belgium Brewing grants upward of a $1million dollars a year in the areas of healthy watersheds, sustainable agriculture and smart transportation initiatives. We have created marquee, in-house events like Tour de Fat, a traveling bike celebration that has raised more than $2 million for bicycle non-profits and Clips Beer and Film Tour that raises money and awareness for environmental groups. Both of these initiatives require teams of 6-8 full time employees. We also have co-created the Save the Colorado campaign which has channeled more than $3 million toward groups raising awareness around the Colorado River's watershed and its need for restoration.”

Simpson went on to say, “We've had several online campaigns including the Glass That Gives that allow consumers to donate a dollar from their purchase of New Belgium glassware to one of four causes we had identified. We've auctioned off many of our custom cruiser bikes over the years, the proceeds going from everything from the local Humane Society fundraisers to Meals on Wheels. Our Bike-in movie series is a fundraiser for a local arts [nonprofit] and a local bike [nonprofit] (they split the shows in the series). All beer proceeds at Tour de Fat and Clips shows benefit local non-profits as well.”

Simpson concluded, “Doing good with what we've been fortunate enough to achieve is what makes our work meaningful every day.”

Desiree Mitchell, Marketing Manager for KRIS Wine, reported, “For the past four years, KRIS wine, one of America’s top selling Italian brands, in partnership with Americans for the Arts, has donated a total of $200,000 to public schools K-12 in support of quality arts education programs.  The annual campaign kicks off September 9 this year and runs through the end of October. “ She added, “KRIS Wine recognized the decline in funding for public Elementary and Middle school arts programs as a national issue. We worked with Americans for the Arts to implement the “Art of Education” program and fill a real need. Art is a guiding principle behind KRIS wines, articulated in the brand’s slogan, ‘Discover the Art of Wine.’ Elementary and Middle school arts programs are where kids first discover art.”

Back at the larger scale of giving, Scott McKee, Director of Public Relations for Kia Motors America, boasted, “In 2012 Kia Motors America (KMA) made a $1million commitment to DonorsChoose.org, the online charity that makes it easy for anyone to help students in need, as part of the citizen philanthropy organization's first-ever national partnership with an automotive brand. Kia's donation launched a Double Your Impact campaign with DonorsChoose.org, meaning Kia matched all donations made to classrooms by citizen philanthropists. The program was designed to fund 50 percent of classroom projects near Kia's network of more than 755 retail showrooms across the country as well as the company's U.S. headquarters in southern California and assembly plant in southwest Georgia. By matching community donations, KMA brought more than 5,700 classroom projects to life through more than $2 million in total contributions.” He added, “In total, to-date the partnership has funded more than 5,726 school projects and impacted nearly 500,000 students nationwide.”

Drew Ungvarsky, CEO and Creative Director for Grow, a creative agency in Norfolk, Virginia, recounts how the firm actively engaged in a unique effort to grow their local community, “Last year we asked entrepreneurs to submit ideas for something unique in a building we were renovating for expansion. The winning pitch turned out to be a restaurant, but we were open to anything with the potential to become a spot where our employees and the general public would love to hang out. We wanted to create the kind of place that would make people say, "That's a reason I want to live in Norfolk.” What we’re doing builds on larger efforts to break the cycle of brain drain in this area and encourage talented people to stay. Because we appreciate the opportunity we’ve had to grow up in Norfolk, we want to keep showing that the grass is greener where you water it.”

Ali Moinuddin, Chief Marketing Officer, at Workshare in London, said, “Workshare is collaborating with charity: water, enabling local communities in developing countries to build and manage sustainable, clean drinking sources. As part of the initiative, Workshare will donate $200 for each person that participates in a one-on-one observation and interview session - which anyone – whether or not they are using Workshare’s applications – can register for today. The findings of the session will be used to develop Workshare’s applications in line with its users’ requirements.” He also noted, “With just 50 participants, Workshare will donate sufficient funds to build one water project that can support 250 people with clean water and save 6,000 hours in water collection per week. According to the World Health Organization, unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation makes countless people seriously ill every year. Women and children usually bear the burden of water collection, walking miles to the nearest source and this directly impacts their education and general wellbeing.”

Nicole Stein, Vice President of Community Responsibility for Umpqua Bank in Oregon, said, “Umpqua Bank looks at community responsibility as an extension of its DNA. The principles of community responsibility and social good efforts are embedded in Umpqua’s culture and drives associates to approach things differently. Umpqua Bank is committed to addressing environmental sustainability; assisting youth development and education, the arts and community development; aiding consumers and small businesses on their path to financial fitness; and running a responsible business to ensure employee and community well-being.”

Stein reported, “Umpqua Bank’s Connect Volunteer Network provides full-time Umpqua associates 40 hours paid time-off each year (20 hours for part-time) to volunteer with youth and community development organizations and schools. In 2012 the Connect Effect was record-setting, with 93 percent of associates volunteering more than 46,000 hours.” She added, “Umpqua Bank aspires to be the World’s Greatest Bank in every sense of the word, and the company’s ongoing commitment to social good is a huge part of the equation and what makes us stand out from competitors. For example, we have been listed on FORTUNE Magazine’s list of the country’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” the past seven years, and the Connect Volunteer Network has been cited as a key factor. Umpqua associates continually rank the Connect program as one of the bank’s most-valued employee benefits.”

Mathilde Thomas, co-founder of Caudalie, explained her company’s commitment to the environment, noting that the company donates 1 percent of global sales to environmental organizations. “We planted 150,000 trees in Peru, 200,000 in Brazil and we are protecting with WWF the island of Sumatra in Indonesia,” she said. She also noted that the company is making efforts to minimize CO2 emissions, reduce waste, increase recycling and to reuse wastewater. In total, she reports donating more than 1 million euros in 2012. “We believe we make a difference,” she said.

Errol Olsen, Chief Financial Officer for Absolute Software, explained, “Absolute employees are compassionate and have supported various social good efforts over the years.  The list of activities include fundraising for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society, United Way, Movember, Earth Day Network and Red Cross blood bank drives.  The first-ever Absolute Chili Cook Off for the United Way was a sold-out event!”  He continued, “Recently, Absolute Software launched an Earth Day Angels campaign to support A Billion Acts of Green. Led by Absolute Software employees, the Absolute Earth Day Angels campaign encouraged people from around the world to pledge an act of green and share it online. Absolute Software donated one dollar to the Earth Day Network for every pledge shared on social media channels.”

Alan MacDonald, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations at Winebow Inc., explained Root:1’s reforestation efforts, “This year we are excited to get consumers directly involved with Root:1's “Help a Forest Take Root” program by voting for the reforestation project where they would like us to direct our funds. With the potential to plant up to 20,000 additional trees, people who visit Root1forest.com can choose one out of seven reforestation projects that is especially relevant to them. Our interactive microsite allows visitors to plant a virtual tree in the location of the project they wish to help, and Root: 1 will donate funds to each project according to consumer’s votes. This year’s reforestation projects are located in National Forests in California, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Virginia and Vermont.”

MacDonald notes that the company’s impact on the environment has a positive impact on the business, “We have planted 40,000 trees over the past four years through American Forests' Global ReLeaf program, which helps improve the environment by planting and caring for trees.  As we continue our commitment to producing a high quality, sustainable wine, new research has shown these attributes are an important consideration during the wine purchase process for both consumers and trade.”

Jay Deutsch, CEO and Co-Founder of BDA, Inc., shared the tragic story that inspired their social responsibility efforts, “Our philanthropic efforts are centered around two main causes – ending domestic violence and finding a cure for ovarian cancer. Our idea of corporate social responsibility changed forever in 2011 when long-time employee and friend, Susan Brockert was murdered in an act of domestic violence during a company trip. Since that tragic day, we established the BDA Cares Foundation and our Susan’s Rock initiative, which is an invitation to Corporate America to take action and help end the abuse against women and children. BDA has also been a partner of the Seattle-based Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research since 2000, stemming from personal family experiences with the disease. Our employees have raised more than $600,000 for the Rivkin Center to date.”

Deutsch explained how the employees drive the social initiatives at BDA, “Through our shared heartbreak of losing Susan, we looked to one another for strength, and as BDA does best, we rallied. Our employees also inspired us to launch our annual Day of Difference, where we partner with charities throughout the greater Seattle-area. BDA employees choose the organizations and plan all of the day’s events. Past activities have ranged from a toy drive for Seattle Children’s Hospital, to running a field day for the Boys & Girls Club, to literally getting our hands dirty at a local urban community farm.”

Paul Capelli, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Community Affairs at QVC, describes how the company implements its CSR efforts in partnership with employees, “We promote employee engagement through our annual workplace giving program, QVC Partners in Giving™. This program offers team members an opportunity to give to eligible charities of their choice and provides a company matching gift incentive.  In alignment with our community involvement goals, QVC also offers an increased match incentive for donations made to QVC’s five featured charities - American Heart Association, Cancer and Careers, Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence, Dress for Success Worldwide, and the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. “

Capelli also noted that their cause marketing efforts have high impact, “Our two longest running cause marketing events, QVC Presents “FFANY Shoes on Sale” and “QVC Presents Super Saturday LIVE”, engage our generous vendor community and entertain and inspire our customers.  Through these programs, over $40 million and $6 million, respectively, have been generated for cancer research and education to date.”

Jimmy McGuire, Director of the Life Time Foundation, explained its work, “Established in 2003, the Life Time Foundation is focused on inspiring healthy people and a healthy planet – one mission at a time. Our current mission is to improve children’s nutrition at school and home. Today, we are working directly with elementary schools to eliminate problem ingredients and highly processed food from the lunch menu. The Life Time Foundation covers the cost between the school’s existing budget and the revised menu without impacting the student school lunch fee. We also are delivering Life Time nutrition and fitness philosophies to elementary school children through our, “Hooray For Healthy,” education program. Because Life Time Fitness, Inc. covers all administrative costs for the Life Time Foundation, 100% of all donations directly serve the beneficiaries of our mission.”

McGuire explained that Life Time Fitness engages its employees in the Foundation’s efforts, “Our employees, 22,000+ across the country, have the opportunity to serve as brand ambassadors for our Life Time Foundation with our members as we work to increase the number of school lunch programs we support.  In addition, we have a payroll deduction program for employees to contribute dollars to the Life Time Foundation and annual fundraising events for employees to support.”

Gerry Ruvo, Chairmand and CEO of Campari America, described the wide ranging social efforts the company is making around the globe, “Gruppo Campari empowers its employees to identify causes and projects that will greatly benefit communities not only within their home countries, but worldwide as well.  These efforts range from large global initiatives to more local causes that give back to the communities that support our brands. For example, we’ve launched a global initiative to help emancipate young people from poverty through education, such as our ‘Hogar Exaltacion’ campaign in Argentina. In the United States, we have partnered with several non-profits that are near and dear to our employee’s and customers’ hearts, including Wild Turkey’s partnership with the Boot Campaign to help increase funds and awareness for the struggles facing veterans returning home.  Our flagship SKYY Vodka brand, launched in San Francisco where Campari America is headquartered, has partered with AMFAR to help raise funds for the fight against AIDS, which is an important issue in the City by the Bay, by developing a limited-time only bottle with a portion of sales going to the charity.”

Will Haughey, Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer for Tegu, a mission driven social enterprise, explained the company’s history, “Tegu is focused on increasing economic development in Honduras and has established a wooden toy factory outside of Tegucigalpa (the capital city) as a vehicle for job creation and innovation.  Tegu operates as a for-profit business, but sought out Honduras as a manufacturing locale after realizing it was the third poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.  It is rich in resources, though, so we started thinking about transforming its beautiful hardwoods into innovative toys for export. Tegu creates jobs as a result, sustainably utilizes local hardwoods, and plants trees (120,000+ to date) for every purchase made.”

As you can see, the range of corporate activities around the globe is inspiring. What once may have been considered a rare activity that helped a company to stand out, is, it seems, increasingly becoming a basic cost of doing business. Customers and employees alike are demanding that corporations operate sustainably, ethically and to be actively involved in building a global community.

Please help me continue this conversation by commenting below, on Twitter at @devindthorpe and on Facebook, Google+ and my personal website yourmarkontheworld.com.