ESG News from Leading Brands

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Wells Fargo Announces California CRA Rating of Outstanding

May 4, 2020 2:00 PM ET

Wells Fargo & Company today announced that its most recent Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) rating for California is Outstanding.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Wells Fargo Announces Minnesota, Twin Cities CRA Rating of ‘Outstanding’

May 4, 2020 1:30 PM ET

MINNEAPOLIS – May 4, 2020 – Wells Fargo & Company today announced that its most recent Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) rating for both the Twin Cities and the state of Minnesota is “Outstanding.” Wells Fargo also received a national rating of “Outstanding” from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) as a result of the company’s strong performance on the exam’s components and the company’s proven commitment to serving low- to moderate-income communities. The bank’s strong performance on the exam’s components reflected positive results in Minnesota and other markets the bank serves.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

National Grid Foundation to Help Communities Address Food Insecurity and Human Services Impacted by COVID-19

May 4, 2020 1:20 PM ET

The National Grid Foundation Board of Directors today announced a $500,000 donation for 45 community organizations across Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island to help support hunger relief and human services.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Wells Fargo Announces Iowa CRA Rating

May 4, 2020 1:15 PM ET

Wells Fargo & Company today announced that its most recent Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) rating for Iowa is “Outstanding.” Wells Fargo also received a national rating of “Outstanding” from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) as a result of the company’s strong performance on the exam’s components and the company’s proven commitment to serving low- to moderate-income communities.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Wells Fargo Announces Colorado CRA Rating

May 4, 2020 1:15 PM ET

Wells Fargo & Company today announced that its most recent Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) rating for Colorado is “Outstanding.” Wells Fargo also received a national rating of “Outstanding” from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) as a result of the company’s strong performance on the exam’s components and the company’s proven commitment to serving low- to moderate-income communities.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Foundations Can Increase Payouts: Here’s How

May 4, 2020 12:50 PM ET

In these times of crisis, foundations have an opportunity to help by increasing their payout. This blog from FSG co-founder Mark R. Kramer explains why it's OK to pay out more than 5%.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Nashville Food Project Provides Groceries, Pay to Hospitality Workers in Need

May 4, 2020 12:25 PM ET

Health & Healthcare

All the Ways to Support COVID-19 Relief on #GivingTuesdayNow

May 4, 2020 12:20 PM ET

Extending its long-standing relationship with GivingTuesday, PayPal has today announced it is supporting #GivingTuesdayNow, a new global day of giving and unity as an urgent response to the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Local CITGO Retailer Offering $0.99 Meals to Children in Need During COVID-19 Crisis

May 4, 2020 12:05 PM ET

A CITGO retailer in Mount Pleasant, Michigan is stepping up to Fuel Good in its local community during the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis. The Pickard Street CITGO is providing $0.99 meals for children unable to rely on school lunches during the statewide stay-at-home order.

Events, Media & Communications

EarthX and The National Geographic Society Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day with Earthx2020

May 4, 2020 12:00 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Bacardi’s Fastest Product Launch? Hand Sanitizers.

May 4, 2020 12:00 PM ET

A project team of 30 at Bacardi Bottling Corporation in Jacksonville, FL worked quickly to source the materials needed, identify shifts on site, and launch in a matter of days – resulting in the fastest product launch Bacardi has ever seen.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Star Rating for Schools: Helping Kids Get to School Safely

May 4, 2020 12:00 PM ET

The Star Rating for Schools journey has been made possible thanks to the generous support of the Founding Sponsor FedEx and the Major Donor FIA Foundation, and the amazing network of SR4S Lead Partners and their invaluable feedback and support from the early conception of the programme to the pilot assessments in preparation for the launch.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Land Betterment Corporation Joins the Indiana Chamber of Commerce

May 4, 2020 11:35 AM ET

Land Betterment an environmental solutions company fostering positive impact through upcycling former coal mining sites to create sustainable community development and job creation, is pleased to announce its acceptance to the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

Health & Healthcare

The Hershey Company Commits $1 Million to Production of Disposable Facemasks

May 4, 2020 11:15 AM ET

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) has announced that it is committing $1 million to acquire, install and staff a new manufacturing line dedicated to the production of facemasks.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Alkermes Launches COVID-19 Relief Fund to Support Innovative Programs Helping Vulnerable Patient Communities

May 4, 2020 10:40 AM ET

Alkermes plc (Nasdaq: ALKS) today announced that the company is now accepting applications for its newly-established COVID-19 Relief Fund, a special edition of the company's signature Alkermes Inspiration Grants® program.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

T-Mobile Donates Half a Million Medical Masks and Invites Customers and Employees to Join in Thanking COVID-19 Heroes for #GivingTuesdayNow

May 4, 2020 10:10 AM ET

T-Mobile goes big every year on Giving Tuesday, a day dedicated to doing good deeds that is typically held right after Thanksgiving. But today, in the midst of these unprecedented times where brave frontline workers are stepping up every day to take big risks to protect us ALL, the world needs a Giving Tuesday NOW.

Innovation & Technology

Black & Veatch, Outside Collaborators at Work Developing Coronavirus Solutions

May 4, 2020 10:10 AM ET

Pressing to expedite solutions that soften COVID-19’s impact on communities, Black & Veatch is at work collaborating with companies, entrepreneurs and a university to find pioneering ways to mitigate the coronavirus outbreak.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Keep America Beautiful Takes the Great American Cleanup Virtual in 2020

May 4, 2020 10:05 AM ET

National nonprofit Keep America Beautiful® is bringing America’s leading volunteer-driven community improvement program, the Great American Cleanup®, directly to people’s homes with today’s kickoff of the Great American Cleanup Virtual Experience.

Events, Media & Communications

Ideagen® TV UK Global Goals 2030 Digital Summit - Monday, May 4, 2020

May 1, 2020 7:05 PM ET

Ideagen TV “Powered By Azure” is dedicated to providing a global platform to foster cross-sector collaboration by the world’s leading Brands, Companies, NGOs and Public Sector to create innovative solutions via collaboration at scale while creating awareness of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Shifting Gears: Helping Furloughed Employees Find New Opportunities

May 1, 2020 6:10 PM ET

The number of job losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic has been nothing short of staggering – with another 3.8 million people losing their jobs in the U.S. last week. While many companies have had to make the difficult decision to furlough employees, other industries are ramping up efforts to deal with increased need. Now, one collaborative effort has created a technology platform to connect companies with talent, and ultimately help more individuals find new roles.

Health & Healthcare

Statement from Alkermes on Response to COVID-19

May 1, 2020 5:35 PM ET

As we work together to navigate the rapidly evolving environment due to COVID-19, our priority continues to be protecting the health of our employees and that of the communities in which we live and work.

Health & Healthcare

United: Continuing to Serve Our Communities

May 1, 2020 5:05 PM ET

Leveraging the full power of our airline to make every action count, click here to see just a few examples of how we’re continuing to contribute in the fight against COVID-19.

Innovation & Technology

HP Life: How to Make Yourself More Valuable while Social Distancing

May 1, 2020 4:30 PM ET

What HP offers isn’t a degree, although you do get a certificate of completion. It is a breadth of basic courses, so you understand how the various parts of any company work.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Service at a Distance: How Virtual Pro Bono Can Help Others Now

May 1, 2020 3:15 PM ET

Just because your programs will look a little different during social distancing doesn’t mean that you can’t provide top-quality pro bono service. As long as you’re thinking critically and being a little creative with design, you can have a real impact on the organizations you serve in their greatest time of need.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Fifth Third Bank Provides 1.6 Million Meals to Fight Hunger Across Bank’s Footprint

May 1, 2020 3:00 PM ET

The meals are being donated to various food organizations in honor of the Bank’s annual companywide community celebration in May, centered on May 3. The date, 5/3 on the calendar, is recognized as Fifth Third Day.