ESG News from Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Astellas USA Foundation Donates Atrium to the Chicago Botanic Garden’s New Learning Center

Sep 9, 2016 4:00 PM ET

Astellas USA Foundation attended the grand opening of the Chicago Botanic Garden’s new Learning Center, a 26,700-square-foot facility located in the heart of the Regenstein Learning Campus - part of a $2 million grant from Astellas USA Foundation.

Environment

Florida’s S.R. 64 West Palma Sola Scenic Highway Shoreline Restored with Native Plants

Sep 9, 2016 3:35 PM ET

One of the first phases of a Palma Sola Scenic Highway resource protection, preservation and enhancement project will be done in time to celebrate Keep America Beautiful’s National Planting Day on Saturday, Sept. 10, in Bradenton, Florida.

Responsible Production & Consumption

GM’s Environmental and Social Initiatives Land Company on Dow Jones Sustainability Index

Sep 9, 2016 3:25 PM ET

General Motors was again ranked on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for corporate sustainability leadership in the automotive industry. This is the second year GM has been selected as an index component and the company remains the only automaker on the North American index.

Diversity & Inclusion

What Tim Tebow Can Teach Us About Second Careers

Sep 9, 2016 3:10 PM ET

Yesterday the New York Mets announced that they signed Tim Tebow to a minor league baseball contract. It marks a second career for Tebow and it’s just another surprising turn in his unusual sporting history. His story of success, struggles and resilience is one we can learn from in our own careers.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Abbott Named Industry Leader for Responsible and Sustainable Business for Four Consecutive Years on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI)

Sep 9, 2016 3:00 PM ET

For the fourth consecutive year, Abbott (NYSE: ABT) has been named the leading company in its industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), one of the most prestigious global benchmarks for corporate sustainability and responsibility. As the Industry Group Leader in Health Care Equipment & Services, Abbott is one of only two U.S.-based companies of the 24 recognized for leading their respective global industry groups.

Innovation & Technology

CSR Through an Entrepreneurial Lens: Q&A with Andrew Yang, Founder & CEO, Venture for America

Sep 9, 2016 2:30 PM ET

Andrew Yang is the Founder and CEO of Venture for America, a nonprofit program that places our best and brightest at startups in emerging cities, helping build businesses, create jobs, and make an impact. He has worked in startups and early-stage growth companies as a founder or executive for more than twelve years. He was the CEO and President of Manhattan GMAT, a test prep company that was acquired by the Washington Post/Kaplan in 2009. He has also served as the co-founder of an Internet company and an executive at a health care software startup.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Both Investors and Corporate Executives are Seeing That Sustainability Benefits the Bottom Line

Sep 9, 2016 1:55 PM ET

Reports by MIT Sloan Management Review, Boston Consulting Group, and McKinsey & Company, are revealing a trend of both investors and corporate executives realizing that there is a direct link between successful corporate sustainability practices and improved long-term corporate financial performance.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Wells Fargo Expands NeighborhoodLIFT for Jacksonville Homebuyers

Sep 9, 2016 12:30 PM ET

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC), NeighborWorks® America and its network member Housing Partnership, Inc., today announced the NeighborhoodLIFT® program will return to Jacksonville with a $5 million commitment by Wells Fargo to boost homeownership.

Health & Healthcare

CVS Health Increasing Access to Health Care with Annual Project Health Campaign

Sep 9, 2016 12:05 PM ET

In its continuing commitment to help improve access to health care for all Americans, CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) today announced the rollout of Project Health, its annual free health services campaign, at select CVS Pharmacy locations in 10 multicultural communities across the country. Beginning Thursday, September 8 and running through December 18, nearly $8 million worth of free health services will be delivered at more than 500 Project Health events.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Connecting the World, Collaborating for Good

Sep 9, 2016 12:00 PM ET

Environment

TD Bank Becomes First Long-Term Green Sponsor of the New York City High Line

Sep 9, 2016 11:40 AM ET

TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, has entered into a three-year partnership with Friends of the High Line, the nonprofit organization that manages the park and provides 98 percent of its operating budget, to support the park's continued evolution, maintenance and operations.

Education

Meet İsmail Dönmez from Turkey

Sep 9, 2016 10:55 AM ET

İsmail attended an Amgen Teach science teacher training workshop in September 2014, organised by a team from TED University.

Social Impact & Volunteering

CBRE Group, Inc. Kicks Off Seventh-Annual BuildMonth

Sep 9, 2016 9:35 AM ET

CBRE Group, Inc. began its seventh-annual “BuildMonth” on September 1, 2016. BuildMonth, part of the company’s Shelter Program, provides CBRE employees with the opportunity to volunteer for projects in their communities that improve housing options in low-income neighborhoods. The initiative is part of CBRE Cares, the company’s corporate philanthropy program and is the Shelter Program’s signature event each year.

Social Impact & Volunteering

How to Create the Win-Win Scenario for Employee Volunteer Programs

Sep 9, 2016 9:25 AM ET

When corporate social responsibility programs strategically align with the nonprofit they’re serving, the result is meaningful engagement for employees as well as measurable impact for the nonprofit. Companies need to be diligent, do their homework, and require that the nonprofit does the same.

Education

Brazil’s Illiterate Share Their Stories with 'Magic Words'

Sep 9, 2016 9:25 AM ET

In Brazil, there are more than 13 million illiterate people. Since their stories go unwritten, their memories may be lost forever. To ensure that not all these stories disappear, HP teamed up with Brazilian advertising agency AlmapBBDO on a project called “Magic Words.” Through the project, 30 individuals across Brazil had the chance to put their voices and life experiences down on paper.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Ecolab Named to Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index for Second Consecutive Year

Sep 9, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Ecolab Inc., the global leader in water, hygiene and energy technology and services, has been named to the 2016 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) North America index, a comprehensive and highly regarded assessment of leading sustainability-driven companies.

Education

Arrow Electronics Sponsors National Society of Black Engineers STEM Event for Denver-Area Elementary School Students

Sep 9, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Environment

Bacardi Supports the Stockholm Water Prize

Sep 9, 2016 8:55 AM ET

With a strong conviction to drive sustainability and protection of water, Bacardi proudly wears the title of founding member of the Stockholm Water Prize. This global award is presented annually by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) to an individual, organization or institution for outstanding water-related achievements during World Water Week which is celebrated August 28 – September 2.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Points of Light to Commemorate 15th Anniversary of 9/11 Through Community-based Projects on National Day of Service and Remembrance

Sep 8, 2016 7:30 PM ET

ATLANTA, GA (September 8, 2016) – Commemorating the 15th anniversary of 9/11 and as part of the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, Points of Light – the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service – will launch a series of community-based service projects and a storytelling project curating profiles and stories of 9/11 responders and service members. Projects include a mobilization of 15,000 volunteers nationwide to participate in service events involving and honoring members of the military and veterans, a service project at the Washington Monument in the nation’s capital, and packing a half million meals for those in need in New York City.

Education

Qualcomm and Virginia Tech Open Thinkabit Lab in National Capital Region to Bring Hands-On STEM Learning to Students and Training to Teachers

Sep 8, 2016 6:00 PM ET

Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) and Virginia Tech begin a multi-year collaboration this fall with the launch of the Qualcomm® Thinkabit Lab™ at Virginia Tech's Northern Virginia Center in Falls Church.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Ingersoll Rand Selected for the 2016 Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indices for Sixth Consecutive Year

Sep 8, 2016 5:00 PM ET

Ingersoll Rand has been named to the 2016 Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indices for a sixth consecutive year. Continued placement on this index series showcases the company’s position as an economic, environmental and social leader among peer companies.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

GSK Named to Dow Jones Sustainability World Index

Sep 8, 2016 4:00 PM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Finalists Named for Central Florida’s 2016 Cox Conserves Heroes Program, Public Asked to Vote

Sep 8, 2016 4:00 PM ET

WFTV 9 Family Connection and The Trust for Public Land are recognizing volunteers who are creating, preserving or enhancing community outdoor spaces. Jeri Baldwin, Shanta Barton-Stubbs and Eric Gardze have been selected as finalists for Central Florida’s 2016 Cox Conserves Heroes program, and the public is being asked to vote now through September 28. To vote, visit www.9family.com.

Education

Engineers in the Wild – Jennifer Branton, PhD, of Boeing

Sep 8, 2016 3:50 PM ET

Jennifer Branton, PhD, a Materials, Process, and Physics Chemical Engineer, helps get your airplane off the ground.

Education

Rethinking Pathways to Prosperity

Sep 8, 2016 3:35 PM ET

Across the political spectrum, there is wide agreement that strengthening career and technical education is key to improving economic and social mobility.