We love them, we buy their products, we wear their brands and we remain loyal customers to companies that share our same interests. But in this new era people are looking for something deeper- for companies and brands to share their same values and beliefs. We see how new generations are more invested in following brands that are more socially conscious and companies that give back to the same community that has always supported their business.
In this last year, during the pandemic and civil rights movements many companies made a stand to support their customers, employees, and communities. We chose 10 companies that stood out on their execution to help their communities be resilient during challenging times.
1. Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.
From providing seniors free rides to their stores and to medical appointments, to donating more than 18 million pounds of unsold items to local food banks, Wegman's is showing how a company can help the community in a multitude of ways. Just last year, they donated $30 million for hunger relief.
2. Microsoft
Microsoft employees are some of the most involved employees of any major company in the US. Employees donated $221 million, through the company's matching program, to nonprofits, and volunteered more than 750,000 hours. Microsoft has worked with over 200,000 nonprofits and, as of February 2018, has donated more than $1.4 billion in cash grants and technology, according to Mary Snapp, corporate vice president and lead for Microsoft Philanthropies.
3. Cisco
During COVID-19, Cisco, contributed $227 million to nonprofits that were providing aid to those who needed it most.
The company also opened up its childcare center based at its San Jose, CA Headquarters offering free childcare to frontline healthcare workers, nursing home aides, social workers, nurses and doctors.
4. Otzuka America Pharmaceutical Inc.
Employees of Otsuka, worked and donated to contribute to having damaged homes and buildings restored in Puerto Rico after it was devastated by Hurricane Maria. They packed thousands of meals for people in need as part of Rise Against Hunger's mission to end food insecurity by 2030.
Additionally, the Sozosei Foundation, established two years ago as the philanthropic arm of Otsuka, has committed nearly $4 million to U.S. organizations working to decriminalize mental illness and build resilient communities in six cities across the country.
5. Samsung
Samsung has donated $39 million worth of funds and goods to communities around the world that were affected by COVID-19. A vast number of technologies, like tablets, have been provided to educational institutions so that children can continue to learn outside of the classroom.
6. Starbucks
In 2020, The Starbucks Foundation supported local and global COVID-19 initiatives that extended emergency assistance to those in need. The Starbucks Foundation has also supported emergency preparedness, response and resilience for disasters ranging from the Australian wildfires and port explosion in Beirut to the hurricanes and wildfires in the U.S.
In June 2020, The Starbucks Foundation committed $1 million in Neighborhood Grants to promote racial equity and create more inclusive communities. Since then, The Starbucks Foundation has also offered grants to organizations that are Black-led and/or serve Black and Indigenous communities and are dedicated to promoting economic mobility and opportunity, health and social services and youth.
7. Coca Cola
The Coca-Cola Company is committed to giving back to the community 1% of its year’s operating income annually.
Presently, the Coca-Cola Foundation is providing additional funding and grants to communities and organizations in response to COVID-19. To date, over $55M has been provided to support local organizations and vulnerable communities.
8. Home Depot
The Home Depot Foundation primarily focuses on improving the housing situations and quality of life of U.S. veterans; providing natural disaster relief to communities in need, and education such as transforming individuals into skilled tradespeople and addressing the skilled labor gap.
Their Community Impact Grants award up to $5,000 to 501(c)(3) designated organizations and tax-exempt public service agencies in the U.S. that are using the power of volunteers to improve the community. Grants are given in the form of The Home Depot gift cards for the purchase of tools, materials or services.
9. Airbnb
The company’s powerful OpenHomes campaign provides temporary housing to people who have been displaced by conflict, illness or natural disasters in their home countries. By partnering with nonprofits who work more closely with refugees, AirBnB provides a much needed resource shelter to people who need it most.
10. Patagonia
Patagonia pledges 1% to the planet, meaning that since 1985 the brand has given over $89 million to organizations that support making positive environmental change in local communities. That includes doing things like restoring forests and rivers, helping fight climate change, protecting endangered animals and critical marine and land habitats and supporting local agriculture.
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