SOURCE:GSK

DESCRIPTION:

There’s no way around it: researching and manufacturing life-saving medicines and vaccines produces waste. At GSK, we are changing our manufacturing processes to cut in half the amount of operational waste we generate by 2020, and shifting our perceptions to see waste as a potential resource.

Around the world

Our global operations produced 137,000 tons of waste in 2016 – 4% less than the previous year and 23% below our 2010 baseline. The majority of this waste (73%) was recycled or incinerated to recover energy, with only 5% sent to landfill. Around 70% of our sites have now achieved zero waste to landfill by repurposing materials that would otherwise go to waste or by using waste-to-energy services.

In the US

In the US, as we deliver on GSK’s global commitments, we are also striving to eliminate the disposal of our operational waste to landfills and improve the amount that is disposed of beneficially.

An example of a beneficial disposal is at our North American R&D hub in Upper Providence, PA (UP). UP labs are outfitted with the latest technology for cutting-edge scientific research and discovery (we call them “SMART Labs”) but these labs create more concentrated amounts of regulated medical lab waste.

Asali, who leads lab services and waste management in the US, helps us think differently about waste and see it as a potential resource. Together with a team, Asali is putting “UP” in UPcycling. Instead of being incinerated, the lab waste stream is now being treated and turned into park benches and bricks.

“At GSK, we think differently about waste and see it as a potential resource. Our medical lab waste at our Upper Providence R&D site is upcycled into park benches and bricks. And our scientists not only help people do more, feel better, and live longer—they also provide a place to relax!” (Asali, Service Owner, Lab Services and Waste Management)

More information

This article is part of a series on our responsible business in the US. 

We aim to reduce environmental impacts across our value chain while extending access to our products for the people who need them – by minimizing our carbon footprint, reducing local water impacts and cutting operational waste. Learn more about our global commitments and progress for Our Planet

Tweet me:See how Asali helps @GSKUS #upcycle lab waste into bricks and benches. #EarthDay #Reduce, #Reuse, #Recycle http://bit.ly/2ouuxam

KEYWORDS: Environment, Awards, Ratings & Rankings, GSK, GlaxoSmithKline, green living, pharma, social, entrepreneurship, green tech

SOURCE:GSK

DESCRIPTION:

You never know what you might find when you hunt for waste.

In 2010, we committed to reducing our environmental impact by 2020 in the following ways: 

• Minimizing our overall carbon footprint by 25%
• Reducing our water impact across the value chain by 20%
• Cutting our operational waste by 50%

One initiative that helps us deliver on this ambitious goal is our R&D Places Program. This is a multi-year program to establish two global R&D hubs (in Stevenage, UK and Upper Providence, PA). As we unite 70% of our R&D colleagues in improved workplaces, we reduce our operating costs and carbon footprint. 

Carbon reductions

Our cutting-edge global R&D hubs in Stevenage and Pennsylvania have energy efficient LED lighting, low-flow fume hoods and state-of-the-art biosafety cabinets. We have also sold or closed other buildings, eliminating about 35,000 metric tons of CO₂. Overall, through the R&D Places Program, we are saving 50,633,000 kW-hrs and $3.9 million per year (since 2015). That’s enough energy to power 4,683 homes per year.

Waste reductions

As we upgrade to energy-efficient solutions, we donate our used scientific equipment to local high schools, colleges, and universities. We also recycle construction waste and repurpose furniture.

Since 2015, we have:

• Donated 69,000 pieces of lab equipment, consumables and glassware, valued at nearly $300K
• Recycled 4,676 tons of construction waste
• Redeployed $4.76 million worth of lab equipment

US perspective

Nick is our lead for energy and sustainability in the US and UK. He and his team frequently go on “energy hunts” throughout our buildings to uncover wasted energy and water. With clever fixes and reconfiguring, they make our existing systems more efficient and help us realize significant savings and value.

One example of water reduction involves the cooling system at our R&D site in Upper Providence. On hot humid days, the air conditioning equipment cools the air and produces significant quantities of water as it condenses. Nick and his team have installed a water reclaim system which routes this water through pipes so that we can use it in our cooling towers. This creativity has resulted in an average annual reduction of 10 million gallons of water. This is equivalent to more than 15 Olympic sized pools.

“Our R&D Places Program and energy hunts have improved the efficiency and reliability of our sites and led to substantial reductions in carbon emissions, water consumption and utility costs. For me, it’s humbling and meaningful to help GSK be a good steward of our precious natural resources.” (Nick, Global Lead Energy & Sustainability)

More information

This article is part of a series on our responsible business in the US. 

We aim to reduce environmental impacts across our value chain while extending access to our products for the people who need them – by minimizing our carbon footprint, reducing local water impacts and cutting operational waste. Learn more about our global commitments and progress for Our Planet 

Tweet me:Find out what Nick from @GSKUS discovered on the hunt for energy savings. #EarthDay #Reduce, #Reuse, #Recyclehttp://bit.ly/2ocX885

KEYWORDS: Environment, Energy, GSK, GlaxoSmithKline, climate change, alternative energy, green living, Health, pharma, Social Entrepreneurship, green tech

SOURCE:Cox Enterprises

DESCRIPTION:

Originally published on Inside Tucson Business.

Corporate conservation is not just a box that we check. More and more, it is expected. Our nation’s and the world’s resources are increasingly constrained. Companies across the U.S. and here in Southern Arizona must continue to reduce consumption of energy, water and raw materials while reducing industrial byproducts to remain competitive and ensure long-term business success. 

Businesses can create value and demonstrate leadership to customers and employees by developing and deploying a conservation strategy that considers how its operations affect the social, cultural and economic environment. 

When considering how to form a conservation plan for your business, it is important to identify the focus of the program, cost and measurement, and the role that both employees and stakeholders will have in the plan. 

Narrowing your focus on sustainability efforts that are within reach will allow your organization to provide more strategic attention to the areas that matter the most. Cox Communications and its parent company, Cox Enterprises, are celebrating a decade focused on our sustainability program, Cox Conserves, this year. We made it to this benchmark, in part, by focusing on reducing our carbon footprint by 20 percent by 2017. 

Click here to read the article on Inside Tucson Business.

Tweet me:.@CoxComm VP Lisa Lovallo shares how the company invests in #sustainability & #conservation thru #CoxConserves http://bit.ly/2ngww5A

KEYWORDS: Sustainable Development Goals, Energy, Cox Communications, Cox Enterprises

SOURCE:Rebuilding Together

DESCRIPTION:

Thanks to nearly 43,000 volunteers, Rebuilding Together completed over 1,900 home and community projects during National Rebuilding Month in 2016. Be a part of the impact this year! Find out more: http://bit.ly/1Yb8mBa

Tweet me:Last year w/ 43k volunteers, @RebldgTogthr completed 1.9k projects during #RebuildingMonth. Take part this year! http://bit.ly/2ouKCNi

KEYWORDS: Social Impact & Volunteering, Events, Media & Communications, National Rebuilding Month, rebuilding together, Healthy homes, community revitalization

SOURCE:Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

DESCRIPTION:

Happy Earth Day! To celebrate, we're featuring our new, state-of-the art office facility that constructed with collaboration and the environment in mind.

Tweet me:.@BMSNews state-of-the-art Princeton Pike facility built with #sustainability in mind https://youtu.be/QYW0sV9VxcU #EarthDay

KEYWORDS: Environment, Climate Action, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Corporate Social Responsibility, sustainability, earth day

SOURCE:Ingersoll Rand

DESCRIPTION:

In the Business Roundtable’s recent annual report – titled “Create, Grow, Sustain: Delivering Shared Success” – Michael W. Lamach, chairman and chief executive officer of Ingersoll Rand, offered insight into the company’s approach to sustainability and the ways in which collaboration is used to build and share success. In the report he says:

“There’s more to a company’s purpose than generating great financial results. Sustainability at Ingersoll Rand centers on business, social and environmental progress. Through bold initiatives, educational programs, employee volunteerism and corporate donations, our goal is to positively affect society and make communities better places to live and work.”

You can read the full letter from our CEO here http://bit.ly/2prl3jN. You can also read the full Business Roundtable report at http://sustainability.brt.org/

Tweet me:Hear from @IngersollRand Chairman and CEO about our sustainability efforts. Explore more: http://bit.ly/2paGnYg

KEYWORDS: Research, Reports & Publications, Events, Media & Communications, Ingersoll Rand

SOURCE:Points of Light

DESCRIPTION:

During National Volunteer Week, we celebrate volunteers who lend their time, talent, voice and support to causes they care about. Their stories inspire others to take action and discover their collective power to unite in making a difference. Points of Light is recognizing five NFL players with Daily Point of Light Awards; Competitors on the field, these players unite for a common cause as volunteers with the Van Duzer Foundation’s First Step program – acting as mentors and ambassadors of change. Meet honoree Michael Thomas, read his story and nominate an outstanding volunteer, family or organization as a Daily Point of Light.

"I volunteer because I want to see real change in our communities," said Michael Thomas, safety for the Miami Dolphins. Dedicated to giving back, he was one of the first NFL players to participate in the First Step Program – an initiative led by Daily Point of Light Award honoree Scott Van Duzer that gives kids and teens the opportunity to engage with community leaders on a regular basis, coming together for casual pick-up games, mentoring and small group discussions on community issues.

Michael has attended First Step events in the Fort Pierce community in Florida, playing touch football with local kids and speaking to them about relevant social issues, such as communication with law enforcement. “The best thing you can give to these kids in these communities is time,” he said. “To show that you actually care.”

In addition to his work with First Step, Michael is actively involved in several other initiatives that allow him to make a difference. He volunteers with the Boys & Girls Club and, in partnership with the Dreambuilders Foundation, supports mentoring programs in South Florida. Over the last three years, his Dreambuilders program has provided more than $35,000 of funding to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami, which pairs at-risk youth with positive mentors. Michael is heavily involved in the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality, or RISE, and also runs a free youth football camp, which provides an entire day of SAT, ACT and college application prep. Along with fellow NFL players and Daily Point of Light Award honorees Jonathan Meeks and Coty Sensabaugh, he has also partnered with Food for the Hungry, an organization that strives to end human poverty and world hunger around the world, to help provide fresh water systems to communities in Haiti. He is also a recipient of the President's Volunteer Service Award.

“I always said that if I ever made it, I would give back,” Michael told a group of children at a First Step event at King Middle School in Atlanta. “The importance of giving back to your community is just showing those who come after you that I care about this community, I care about you, I want to give my time.”

Meet the other NFL players honored this week for their commitment to volunteerism and the First Step program: Sam Barrington, Jared Cook, Jonathan Meeks and Coty Sensabaugh.

You can help these Daily Point of Light honorees increase the impact of their work! The First Step program has pitched its creative solution to solving community needs to A Community Thrives, part of the USA Today network. Cast your vote to help First Step win a $100,000 grant to expand the program to neighborhoods across the United States. Vote today!

Tweet me:NFL safety @Michael31Thomas gives his time to create meaningful change: http://bit.ly/2oFeM0q #DailyPointofLight #NVW

KEYWORDS: Social Impact & Volunteering, Awards, Ratings & Rankings, Points of Light, NFL, michael thomas

SOURCE:Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable

DESCRIPTION:

April 24, 2017 /3BL Media/ -- The Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) is proud to have been profiled in “Exploring the Case for Corporate Context-Based Water Targets.” This collaborative discussion paper details a new approach for setting corporate water metrics and targets. The paper was jointly authored by CDP, the CEO Water Mandate, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), World Resources Institute (WRI), and WWF.

Over the past eleven years, BIER has promoted the fundamental business imperative of water stewardship. Along with key stakeholders, BIER has developed innovative approaches, tools, and methodologies to addresses water stewardship challenges. By driving business decisions that influence the beverage industry and beyond, these initiatives work toward the achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #6: ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

BIER members joined technical advisors from leading water and environmental organizations to develop a beverage sector perspective on decision making and performance measurement based on local watershed context. BIER’s approach was originally outlined in a Concept Paper and has evolved into the methodology outlined within the recently released CEO Water Mandate discussion paper. “The beverage industry continues to propel water stewardship initiatives with this aggressive transition from a concept to a practical decision support process,” says Nick Martin, BIER Water Working Group Facilitator and Associate Director. “While there are still challenges to collaboratively overcome (data gaps, actionable outcomes, business case), BIER is working to show that context and science-based concepts are directly applicable to business decision making for companies outside the beverage sector.”

BIER strives to be a catalyst for collaboration between the related initiatives and shared objectives of other organizations. “The beverage sector has been a leader in corporate water stewardship and BIER’s Performance in Watershed Context work is one strong example of this leadership - pushing member companies to incorporate watershed-level thinking and analysis into business planning” says Roberta Barbieri, Vice President, Global Water and Environmental Solutions at PepsiCo.  “Collaboration between BIER and the Mandate on this initiative will not only increase our ability to make informed decisions that maximize positive impact at the watershed level but will increase the potential scale of impact beyond the beverage sector.”

The discussion paper is available for viewing or download at http://www.ceowatermandate.org/files/context-based-targets.pdf

About BIER
The Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) is a technical coalition of leading global beverage companies working together to advance environmental sustainability within the beverage sector. BIER aims to affect sector change through work focused on water stewardship, energy efficiency and climate change, beverage container recycling, sustainable agriculture, and eco-system services. BIER members include: American Beverage Association, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Bacardi, Beam Suntory, Brown-Forman, Carlsberg Group, The Coca-Cola Company, Constellation Brands, Danone Waters, Fetzer Vineyards, Diageo, Heineken, Jackson Family Wines, New Belgium Brewing, Molson Coors, Pernod Ricard, Ocean Spray Cranberries, and PepsiCo. For more information, visit www.bieroundtable.com

About CEO Water Mandate
The CEO Water Mandate is a unique public-private initiative that mobilizes business leaders for water stewardship. Established by the UN Global Compact in 2007, the Mandate was created out of the acknowledgement that global water challenges create risk for a wide range of industry sectors, the public sector, local communities, and ecosystems alike. The CEO Water Mandate is rooted in the belief that cross-sectoral collaboration on shared water goals is the most effective path to more sustainable water management and that the private sector can be a critical partner in this effort. For more information, visit http://ceowatermandate.org

Tweet me:.@BIERoundtable collaborates with the CEO #Water Mandate http://bit.ly/2ocGgOx

Contact Info:

Nick Martin
+1 (703) 861-6997
nick.martin@anteagroup.com

KEYWORDS: Environment, Water, water, watershed, bier, Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable, CEO Water Mandate, water stewardship, sustainability, watershed context

Vote for your favorite recipe on Sodexo Insights as finalists vie for top prize in the 2017 Sodexo Future Chefs: Healthy Comfort Food Challenge

SOURCE:Sodexo, Inc.

DESCRIPTION:

GAITHERSBURG, Md., April 24, 2017 /3BL Media/  – Sodexo, the world leader in Quality of Life Services and student nutrition partner to nearly 500 school districts throughout the U.S., today announces the five student finalists in the 2017 Sodexo Future Chefs Challenge. This year, elementary school students from Sodexo-served school districts across the United States were tasked with creating healthy comfort food options that children or adults will enjoy. Beginning today, the public is invited to view student video submissions and vote for their favorite recipe on Sodexo Insights. Voting closes midnight on April 30th.

Now in its seventh year, the Sodexo Future Chefs Challenge encourages healthy eating habits by actively involving students in good nutrition.  Sodexo is renowned for its work in advancing childhood nutrition, health and well-being and understands that engaging youth in the creation of nutritious meals is one of the best ways to improve health, fuel minds and improve academic outcomes.

Out of nearly 2,500 entries from students, the recipes from these five Sodexo Future Chefs:  Healthy Comfort Food Challenge national finalists rose above all the rest:

• Tylee Creps, Academy School District (Colorado) [Recipe: Tylee’s Famous Granola Cups]
• Kayla Kilincoglu, Shelton Public Schools (Connecticut) [Recipe: Zucchini Waffles]
• Greydyn Gildroy, Helena Public Schools (Montana) [Recipe: Pretend Soup]
• Madison Bigej, Canby School District (Oregon) [Recipe: Cauliflower Tots]
• Emily Dustin, Richland School District (Washington) [Recipe: Apple Sushi]

Each of the five finalists made videos of their recipes, which can be viewed and voted on at Sodexo Insights from April 24 – 30th.

Students participating in the program represent more than 1,300 Sodexo-served elementary schools in 256 school districts and 30 states. A panel of judges reviewed the recipes and evaluated them based on the originality, healthy attributes, ease of preparation, kid-friendliness and plate presentation. Programs like the Sodexo Future Chefs Challenge are part of Sodexo’s commitment to health, well-being and support for the school districts and communities in which it serves and operates.

Sodexo is committed to taking measurable sustainable actions that ensure a brighter future in the areas of health and wellness, environmental stewardship and community development. The Future Chefs program is one of the many ways Sodexo shares its health and well-being expertise with the clients, customers and communities it serves. Another example is Sodexo’s use of research-based principles recommended in the Smarter Lunchroom Movement – developed by the Cornell Center for Behavioral Economics in Child Nutrition Programs – to equip primary and secondary school lunchrooms with tools to improve the eating behaviors of children. 

Sodexo delivers more than 100 services across North America that enhance organizational performance, contribute to local communities and improve quality of life. The Fortune Global 500 company is a leader in delivering sustainable, integrated facilities management and foodservice operations.

Learn more about Sodexo at its corporate blog, Sodexo Insights. You can also join the Sodexo Future Chefs social media conversation by using the hashtag #SDXFutureChefs in related Tweets and posts.

Tweet me:Vote for favorite #SDXFutureChefs Healthy Comfort Food recipe http://bit.ly/2oFierU #Sodexo

Contact Info:

Samuel Wells
Sodexo, Inc.
+1 (301) 987-4893
samuel.wells@sodexo.com

KEYWORDS: Education, Health & Healthcare, Sodexo, comfort food, healthy recipies, Future Chefs

SOURCE:3BL Media, LLC

DESCRIPTION:

Ever wonder why everyone agrees that the current US healthcare system is seriously sick, but that nobody seems to agree on the remedy? A commentary by the editorial director of Modern Healthcare, Merrill Goozner, lays out a diagnosis and the prescription for a cure in direct terms.

The ailment as Goozner sees it, is the current system’s goal of profit maximization, based on the traditional fee-for-service model. He notes, “The U.S. is not unique in using fee-for-service to reimburse providers. But other countries tightly regulate prices and utilization, either through a single-payer insurance system or with powerful regulators utilizing tools like use limits, price controls, bundled payments and global budgets.” The Affordable Care Act, while working around the single payer issue, has set in motion several initiatives using those tools.

Any proposed replacement of the ACA must include these ideas in some form, argues Goozner. I’m John Howell for 3BL Media.

Video source: A Prescription for a Sick Healthcare System

Tweet me:Is this the right prescription for the US Healthcare system? #CSRminute @3blmedia http://bit.ly/2oFFXb8

KEYWORDS: Health & Healthcare, CSR Minute

SOURCE:Rebuilding Together

DESCRIPTION:

Rebuilding Together affiliates preserve existing affordable housing for low-income homeowners and revitalize communities across America. National Rebuilding Month will culminate on National Rebuilding Day, Saturday April, 29 and will engage volunteers in a concerted effort to complete repairs on homes, nonprofit facilities and community spaces to bring immediate, transformational change to communities across America on the same day. Affiliates across the U.S. will host rebuilding events and educational workshops to promote safe and healthy housing. Find out more: http://bit.ly/1Yb8mBa

Tweet me:#RebuildingMonth will end on Saturday when @RebldgTogthr volunteers will repair homes across America on the same day http://bit.ly/2ooK0ge

KEYWORDS: Social Impact & Volunteering, Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, volunteer, rebuilding together, National Rebuilding Month, Healthy homes

SOURCE:Cone Communications

DESCRIPTION:

Today marks the beginning of Fashion Revolution Week remembering the Rana Plaza factory collapse, which many deem the deadliest disaster in the history of the garment industry. The tragedy, which took place on April 24, 2013, brought the fashion industry’s supply chain issues to light and sparked a global conversation between companies, consumers and workers. Over the past four years since the factory collapse, all players within the fashion industry have joined the conversation about improving working conditions and supply chain transparency. Here are a few highlights from the last 12 months:

Building on the success of its #InsideOut campaign, Fashion Revolution is enlisting the power of influencers to spread its message of the true cost of fashion. Earlier this year, the nonprofit wrote an open letter inviting fashion and beauty influencers to approach fashion in a different way. The #haulternative guide serves as a replacement for popular haul videos in which vloggers share their recent large clothing purchases with viewers. Instead of sharing new purchases from brands with vague sustainability commitments, influencers were encouraged to swap clothing with other YouTube stars, go thrifting, patch up a broken but loved item, or simply embrace the worn wear look. Several vloggers including CutiePieMarzia (over 7M subscribers) and Grav3yardgirl (over 7.9M subscribers) have already embraced the effort.

To continue reading, please click here.

Tweet me:4yrs after the #RanaPlaza collapse, consumers, workers, & companies continue to develop #supplychain transparency http://bit.ly/2oFdlyY

KEYWORDS: Supply Chain & the Circular Economy, Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Rana Plaza factory, Bangladesh factory collapse, fashion industry, circular fashion, apparel supply chain

Benevity clients embrace democratized programs that build employee engagement with diverse workforces

SOURCE:Benevity

DESCRIPTION:

CALGARY, AB, April 25, 2017 /3BL Media/ – In recognition of National Volunteer Week taking place April 23-29, Benevity shares that Spark, its market leading cloud solution for workplace giving, grantmaking and volunteering was used by enterprise clients to achieve record growth in volunteering, helping to drive employee engagement and skills development, while making a positive social impact in their local communities.

Together, Benevity clients continue to experience triple digit year-over-year increases in corporate volunteer hours as they leverage Spark’s easy-to-use, mobile-friendly volunteer sign-up, time tracking and rewards capabilities to give time and expertise to causes that matter to them. Bryan de Lottinville, founder and CEO of Benevity, attributes the record growth to a shift in the way companies are designing their employee volunteer programs.

“We’re seeing more companies move away from traditional month-of-service programs with high barriers to entry towards a more inclusive, year-round volunteer experience for their people,” says de Lottinville. “Today’s corporate volunteer programs must be flexible enough to accommodate a broad spectrum of ages, abilities, interests, skill sets and lifestyles to help engage an increasingly diverse workforce. Companies are recognizing that democratized Goodness programs are powerful levers in creating a common sense of purpose, a compelling workplace culture and are an important vehicle for companies to contribute positively to their local communities. This is especially important as corporations look to attract, retain and engage today’s socially-conscious 21st century workforce, from boomers to millennials.”

Benevity also noted the positive correlation between volunteerism and other giving back behavior, with 70% of volunteers also donating money through workplace giving programs - almost double what non-volunteers give. This highlights the power of integrated strategies and intuitive software to support CSR and employee engagement leaders in meeting their goals. “We are helping our clients move away from a purely transactional focus for corporate and workplace giving programs to one that meets people (and companies) where they are and assists them along a spectrum of involvement that leads to broader co-creation and co-ownership of outcomes,” says de Lottinville. “There is tremendous business and social impact in a grassroots approach.”

Benevity client, Blue Shield of California, is a case in point. With a nonprofit, mission-driven health plan, Blue Shield saw significant growth in volunteering last year, noting it as a way to drive employee well-being and engagement.

“Creating a healthier California begins with creating an exceptional employee experience,” says Antoinette Terrana, Director of Corporate Citizenship at Blue Shield of California. “Since launching Spark at Blue Shield in 2014, we’ve partnered with Benevity to create flexibility and convenience in our program and significantly increase volunteer hours from 2015 to 2016 by 173 percent.” 

Blue Shield of California enhanced their culture of volunteerism and giving back this past year through Spark’s highly configurable volunteer module, enabling them to create focused campaigns and more structured volunteer opportunities throughout the year. “Benevity’s easy-to-use and flexible software has helped us support our community involvement initiatives and enhance our employee experience,” continues Terrana. “And when our employees are actively involved in volunteerism, it leads to a deeper connection and commitment to advancing our company’s mission.” 

About Benevity
Benevity, Inc., a certified B Corporation, is the global leader in online workplace giving, matching, volunteering and community investment software. Many of the world’s most iconic brands rely on Spark, Benevity’s award-winning Cloud solution, to power corporate “Goodness Programs” that attract, retain and engage today’s diverse workforce by connecting people to the causes that matter to them. With software that is available in 15 languages, to several million users around the world, Benevity processed over a billion dollars in donations to more than 100,000 global charities last year. Learn more at www.benevity.com.

Media Contact
Sona Khosla 

403.909.3112
skhosla@benevity.com


Tweet me:How does Volunteering drive #EmployeeEngagement? Find out how @benevity’s software can help.#NationalVolunteerWeek. http://bit.ly/2pXTsUZ

KEYWORDS: Social Impact & Volunteering, Diversity & Inclusion, workplace culture, giving back, grassroots, Blue Shield, benevity, national volunteer week

SOURCE:America's Charities

DESCRIPTION:

Snapshot 2017, the latest in America’s Charities’ research series on employee giving and engagement trends, closes this Sunday, April 30. If you are interested in participating in this year’s groundbreaking research and advancing the field of employee giving and engagement, CSR, and corporate philanthropy, the time to act is now!

We have heard from more than 1,500 donors so far nationwide. With only a handful of days left to participate, our window for soliciting your feedback is quickly closing. Please lend your voice now by taking the Snapshot 2017 survey.

As a thank you for participating in our research study, participants will receive a complimentary copy of the final report, due in September. We will learn about what employees value, how they make decisions about charitable giving and volunteering, and how their giving impacts their relationships with their employers.

Be a part of something great – help us understand the evolving role of employee giving and engagement. Click here to take the survey!

How to Participate

Snapshot 2017 provides an opportunity for donors, volunteers, employees, employers, and nonprofits alike to participate (reminder, all responses are confidential and anonymous):

• Donors, Volunteers, and Employees: No matter your level of giving or volunteering, or position within an organization, this research is all about YOU. What matters most to you? What makes a good volunteer experience? What do you expect from your organization? Your voice matters! Share your feedback in this short survey, consisting of 10 multiple choice questions.
• Employers: Want to build better trust with your employees – and therefore a better relationship? Research shows that you have a big opportunity to do so. This survey can help. Distribute the survey to your employees and use this as your employee listening exercise. Upon request we can provide you with a unique survey URL, so you will have your organization’s full dataset to benchmark against the larger field’s response. Email Lindsay Nichols at lnichols@charities.org for your unique link.
• Nonprofits: Donor retention is far more important than donor recruitment – and this survey provides you with an easy opportunity to listen to your donors and volunteers. Share the survey with your donors and volunteers and use this as your donor listening exercise. Upon request we can provide you with a unique survey URL, so you will have your organization’s full dataset to benchmark against the larger field’s response. Email Lindsay Nichols at lnichols@charities.org for your unique link.
• Funders of CSR, Corporate Philanthropy: Sponsor this valuable research and help improve the practice of employee giving and engagement, CSR, and social impact. More details here.

Employee donors raise $4 billion for nonprofits and causes annually. Snapshot 2017 is our opportunity to learn from the people at the heart of this social change. Please join us in advancing the field by taking the survey and sharing it among your network!

My sincere thanks to my Snapshot 2017 team members, Steve Greenhalgh, Senior Advisor to America’s Charities, and Peter Panepento, Philanthropic Practice Leader of Turn Two Communications, as well as to our sponsors –Causecast and PwC – and our 2017 Advisory Commitee.

Tweet me:Last Chance to Participate in Nationwide #WorkplaceGiving #CorporatePhilanthropy Study http://impact.ac/2opiuiq @AmerCharities #Snapshot2017

KEYWORDS: Events, Media & Communications, Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives, America's Charities, Snapshot 2017, CSR Strategy, Corporate Social Responsibility, Fundraising, charitable donation processing, employee benefits, employee giving, employee perks, workplace giving, corporate philanthropy

SOURCE:Antea Group

DESCRIPTION:

EHSxTech, April 25, 2017 - a workshop where the brightest EHS minds in tech meet for a day of collaboration, best practice sharing and insight gathering on the complex challenges of managing EHS across global operations. EHSxTech, presented by Antea Group and hosted by Salesforce, will feature special presentations from Microsoft, Autodesk, and Salesforce. 

About Antea Group

Antea Group is an international engineering and environmental consulting firm specializing in full-service solutions in the fields of environment, infrastructure, urban planning and water. By combining strategic thinking and multidisciplinary perspectives with technical expertise and pragmatic action, we do more than effectively solve client challenges; we deliver sustainable results for a better future. With more than 3,000 employees in over 100 offices around the world, we serve clients ranging from global energy companies and manufacturers to national governments and local municipalities. Learn more at http://us.anteagroup.com.

Tweet me:.@AnteaGroup Tech Leaders to Come Together To Discuss Global EHS Challenges and Opportunities http://bit.ly/2o4I6B0

Contact Info:

katie.nordenson@anteagroup.com

KEYWORDS: Environment, tech industry, ehs, tech company, EHS challenge, tech regulations, antea group

SOURCE:Bloomberg

DESCRIPTION:

NEW YORK (AP) — New York billionaire Michael Bloomberg urged world leaders not to follow President Donald Trump's lead on climate change and declared his intention to help save an international agreement to reduce carbon emissions.

Bloomberg, who considered a presidential bid after serving three terms as New York City's mayor, addressed his intensifying focus on climate change in an interview with The Associated Press. He said there was no political motive tied to last week's release of his new book, "Climate of Hope: How Cities, Businesses, and Citizens Can Save the Planet," co-authored by former Sierra Club executive director Carl Pope.

"I'm not running for office," the 75-year-old Bloomberg said.

Instead of helping to re-ignite his political career, he said the new book offered a specific policy objective: To help save an international agreement, negotiated in Paris, to reduce global carbon emissions.

To read the full article, click here. 

Tweet me:Bloomberg to world leaders: Ignore Trump on climate @mikebloomberg @bloomberg #climatechange #climateofhope http://bit.ly/2onk0lf

KEYWORDS: Environment, Energy, Bloomberg, climate, Mike Bloomberg, Donald Trump, President Trump, climate change, climate of hope, Paris Agreement

SOURCE:NRG Energy

DESCRIPTION:

NRG is proud to support the next generation of bright minds and the amazing things they will create. Learn more about our work with FIRST at nrg.com/first.

With our diverse portfolio of traditional and renewable energy solutions, we deliver reliable power to nearly three million customers across the U.S. While we're rooted in the realities of today, we're driven by the possibilities of tomorrow. In fact, we set an ambitious sustainability goal to reduce our carbon emissions 90% by 2050. Our renewables portfolio – from community solar and wind farms, to projects in a number of professional football stadiums – gets us closer to our goals, and helps us realize the potential of energy together.

Visit NRG’s Website: http://www.nrg.com
Find NRG on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NRG/
Find NRG on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nrg-...
Find NRG on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nrgenergy/
Find NRG on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nrgenergy
Find NRG on Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/114644045...

Tweet me:#video: FIRST Robotics & @nrgenergy http://bit.ly/2ooS7ck supporting the next generation of bright minds #innovation

KEYWORDS: Innovation & Technology, FIRST Robotics, NRG Energy, sustainability, STEM

Plus, brands like Patagonia and Obey rally to support Fair Trade.

SOURCE:Fair Trade USA

DESCRIPTION:

Article by Fashionista

These are the stories making headlines in fashion on Monday. 

Pharrell's Chanel ad for the Gabrielle bag has dropped
The musician joins Kristen Stewart, Cara Delevingne and Caroline de Maigret in representing the French label's newest bag. Directed by French filmmaker Antoine Carlier, the ad follows Pharrell as he turns an empty concert hall into a playground — all while wearing a Gabrielle bag, of course. "My character... just didn't want to take the...

Continue reading on Fashionista 

Tweet me:.@FairTradeUSA's 'We Wear Fair Trade' campaign made headlines in fashion this week http://bit.ly/2oIJp52

Contact Info:

Elise Segars
Fair Trade USA
esegars@fairtradeusa.org

KEYWORDS: Events, Media & Communications, Awareness Day, Fair Trade USA, fair trade, Fashion Revolution, We Wear Fair Trade, patagonia, Obey, Pharrell, Chanel, Fashion, Gabrielle bag

SOURCE:21st Century Fox

DESCRIPTION:

Tweet me:Xploration Station, Fox's 3-hour block of teen #STEM programming, launches 3rd #StudentAstronaut contest: http://bit.ly/2osAIjn @21CF_Impact

KEYWORDS: Education, STEM, 21st century fox, xploration station, emily calandrelli, philippe coustea, xploration outer space, student astronaut, NASA, exploration, video, students, space, Mars

SOURCE:Keystone Human Services

DESCRIPTION:

Our voices have made a difference! On April 4, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted to pass the state budget with all of the increased funding for intellectual disability and autism services.

Thank you to everyone who contacted their state legislator to share how important this increased funding is for intellectual disability and autism services!

This is the first time in ten years that the proposed PA budget has included funding for across the board rate increases. This budget also calls for increased community-based services and waiting list initiatives.

The next step is for the PA Senate to discuss and vote on the budget, which will happen in the coming weeks. If the intellectual disability and autism portion of the budget remains intact, the budget will increase our ability to address direct support professional compensation, and decrease vacancies and turnover, as well as continue to improve the services we provide to the people we support.

Right now, I ask you to do two things:

• Thank your PA Representative for being part of the House that passed a budget bill that invests in intellectual disability and autism services. Even if your Representative did not vote for the budget, it’s important to let them know that you appreciate the House’s action to support intellectual disability and autism services.
• Contact your PA State Senator and advocate for the intellectual disability and autism funding to be included in the Senate budget bill at the same funding levels as the Governor’s proposed budget and the current House budget.

You can use this link to find your PA Representative and your PA Senator.

Highlights from the proposed PA budget (both the Governor’s and the House’s) for intellectual disability and autism services include:

• $54.7 million to provide for rate increases from the renewal of the waiver program;
• $109.7 million to provide for increases in utilization and costs;
• $15.4 million for the Community Living Waiver to create a new program for family caregivers to ensure 1,000 individuals currently on the waiting list can continue to live at home;
• $8.5 million to expand services for individuals with disability to provide home and community-based services for 820 students graduating from special education—a figure that is projected to cover every such student this coming year;
• Funding to begin to transition individuals from the Hamburg State Center to home and community-based services;
• $9.3 million for new community participation services from the renewal of the waiver program; and
• $642,000 in Autism Intervention and Services for home and community-based services for 50 additional adults with autism spectrum disorder.

We will continue to share updates about the PA budget and intellectual disability and autism services. Please join our mailing list if you would like to receive regular updates like this from Keystone Human Services.

I also encourage you to follow Keystone Human Services on our Facebook Page and Twitter for additional updates and information.

Charles J. Hooker III
President and CEO, Keystone Human Services

Tweet me:PA House of Representatives Passes Budget with Increased Disability Services Funding (via @chooker3 of @Keystone_KHS) http://bit.ly/2oJczB3

Contact Info:

Charles Hooker
Keystone Human Services
+1 (717) 232-7509
chooker@keystonehumanservices.org

KEYWORDS: Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment, Health & Healthcare, Pennsylvania budget, Advocacy, disability, autism, funding, Keystone Human Services, Charles J. Hooker III