Published
November 19, 2018
Businesses that do well, do good. This is apparent in ways large and small, in communities all across the country, every day. Each year the U.S. Chamber Foundation recognizes a handful of businesses that are making powerful contributions through our Corporate Citizenship Awards. We are proud to celebrate this year’s honorees.
Corporate Stewardship—Large Business: Hilton recently launched its 2030 Global Goals aimed to double its investment in social impact and cut its environmental footprint in half. It is the first major hotel company to institute science-based targets to reduce carbon emissions and commit to stop sending excess soap to landfills.
Corporate Stewardship—Small and Middle-Market Business: Semper Capital Management, L.P. is a private, veteran, and minority-owned investment management firm that focuses its philanthropic efforts on affordable housing and helping veterans transition from military to civilian life.
Community Improvement: General Mills has developed new technology platforms and organizational networks to reduce surplus food waste and make it easier for businesses like grocery stores and restaurants to donate rather than destroy perfectly good surpluses.
Disaster Response and Community Resilience: GSK developed the Resilient Children/Resilient Community initiative, in partnership with the National Center for Disaster Preparedness and Save the Children, to assist populations in the wake of disasters. This initiative supports more than 76,000 children in its pilot communities.
Economic Empowerment: Timberland, in partnership with the Smallholder Farmers Alliance (SFA), helps reforest Haiti while increasing farmland productivity and supply chain accessibility for Haitian farmers. Timberland is also aiming to sustainably source 100% of its apparel cotton by 2020.
Commitment to Education: IBM developed a public-private partnership that links high school and community college curricula with workplace experiences such as mentorships, site visits, and paid internships to better prepare the workforce for middle-skill jobs.
Environmental Stewardship: Ingersoll Rand committed to a 35% company greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint reduction by 2020 through energy reduction, optimization of refrigerant charging, upgrading its fleet to improve gas mileage, and renewable energy. It has surpassed that goal two years early.
Health and Wellness: Abbott and its foundation, the Abbott Fund, worked with the Government of Tanzania to create East Africa’s first-ever ER and emergency medicine residency program. As part of a broader $130 million partnership to strengthen the country’s health care system, the ER provides best-in-class care regardless of ability to pay for more than 60,000 people a year.
To read more about this year’s Corporate Citizenship Award winners, visit: uschamberfoundation.org/citizens-awards.
About the authors
Thomas J. Donohue
Thomas J. Donohue is advisor and former chief executive officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
