Lip-Sticking

Top 7 corporate citizens

By Amanda Ponzar @LivingUnited

Many organizations publish top 100, top 50, top 10 lists. So here are my top 7.

United Way Worldwide –- the largest privately funded nonprofit in the U.S. and the world –- just announced its highest national awards for philanthropy, volunteer engagement and community impact. Companies that are #1 when it comes to corporate citizenship. The awards process is very competitive with corporate judges and local United Ways pouring over detailed applications, reviewing financial numbers and volunteer hours, analyzing the education, income and health impact of the company's partnerships and programs, etc. so this is the real deal.  

Check out the 2013 winners -- 7 top corporate citizens:

3M (NASDAQ: MMM): 3M’s focus is encouraging innovation through STEM (science, technology, engineering, math). In 2012, 3M donated $56.6M in cash and in-kind to education, health and human services, arts and the environment. Education programs supported by 3M reach over 7.6 million young people each year; programs include science fairs and Generation Next that are closing the achievement gap of low-income and minority students. More than 1,700 3M employees volunteer to support education, including 500 employees serving as mentors in the company’s headquarters of St. Paul, increasing graduation rates in focus schools. 3M is the first company to earn an Excellence in Mentoring in America Corporate Leadership Award.

Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK) invested more than $334 million in programs and partnerships in 39 states and Washington, DC in 2012, including $9.5 million of cash and in-kind support to United Way agencies around the country, with $2.5 million in value of in-kind support
airing public service announcements. Last year, Comcast employees volunteered more than 454,000 hours, unleashing another $1.5 million in Comcast Foundation matching funds for nonprofits. One of Comcast’s signature programs is Internet Essentials, the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program, which provides low-cost Internet access, computers and free digital
literacy training to struggling families to help close the digital divide. More than 60 United Ways across the country support this program.

 

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and its employees celebrated a major milestone in 2012:  $1 billion in employee giving and matching funds to more than 31,000 nonprofit organizations around the world since the employee giving program began in 1983. In 2012, Microsoft donated more than $900 million in cash and software to more than 62,000 nonprofits worldwide. Microsoft also provides a $17/hour match for employee volunteer hours –- 450,000 hours logged in 2012 -- generating more than $7.5 million in volunteer matching funds to U.S. nonprofits last year alone. Microsoft’s citizenship focus is creating opportunities for youth through innovative programs that leverage Microsoft’s software and skilled employees. Microsoft YouthSpark is a company-wide global initiative, which aims to create opportunities for 300 million youth in more than 100 countries during the next three years, and includes programs such as Technology Education and Literacy in Schools (TEALS), Partners in Learning, Imagine Cup and more.

 

Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) and its employees raised more than $30.5 million through the United Way campaign, once again as a top 10 national partner. In addition, bank employees volunteered 1.5 million hours globally, including 1,500 employees leveraging their financial expertise at volunteer
tax assistance sites. Since 2006, Bank of America has invested $8 million in Financial Stability grants with United Way, especially around free tax preparation and assistance, and was the first financial institution to nationally support this important work. In 2012, the bank donated $200 million
to nonprofit organizations serving community needs as part of its 10-year $2 billion philanthropic goal. 

 

General Motors  (NASDAQ: GM) -- The GM Foundation in December 2010 pledged $27.1 million to United Way of Southeastern Michigan to create a “Network of Excellence” within seven metro Detroit high schools and increase graduation rates from 50% to 80% over five years. Attendance rates at all seven schools improved last year -- an early indicator for improved graduation rates. Last year, GM employees contributed more than $5.8 million through the company’s United Way campaign, plus teamGM Cares Volunteers provided nearly 1,200 hours of service to the Network of Excellence schools.

 

The Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS), its employees and The Mosaic Company Foundation contributed $25.4 million in community investments worldwide in 2012 -- including in-kind gifts totaling $3.7 million and $4 million raised through the company’s annual United Way campaign. Mosaic employees contributed expertise and volunteer time to execute campaigns across its North American operations. To achieve its mission to help the world grow the food it needs, Mosaic helps farmers worldwide produce more food through crop nutrients and science-based agronomy. Its unique The Mosaic Villages Project also helps smallholder farmers move beyond subsistence farming and improve their livelihoods through increased crop production and sustainable agricultural practices.

 

Wells Fargo (NASDAQ: WFC) is United Way’s #1 national campaign for four years in a row. Team members raised $60.7 million in 2012 — a 23% increase over 2011—resulting in over $75.3 million with the corporate gift. Wells Fargo team members volunteered 1.5 million hours in 2012, plus the company offers a unique Volunteer Leave Program; it awarded fully paid leave to more than 21 team members in 2012 to work on a significant project for up to four months. Wells Fargo also announced a new $5 million national partnership with United Way to provide financial counseling for low-moderate income households. Wells Fargo promotes significant skilled volunteering, through its free Hands on Banking® program, focused on money management. Last year, Wells Fargo invested $315.8 million in 19,500 nonprofits.

 

The Spirit of America and Summit Awards program is United Way’s highest national honor for a corporation, recognizing outstanding United Way Global Corporate Leaders. Join @UnitedWay and congratulate the winners on Twitter: @3Mgiving & @3MNews, @BofA_Community, @Comcastdreambig, @GM, @Microsoft & @msftcitizenship, @MosaicCompany and @WellsFargo.

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Business or Pleasure: When Social Media Personas Collide

by guest blogger, Megan Totka

Small business owners know the importance of utilizing social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and even Pinterest. The relatively small investment of time and money can really pay off. Crowdspring reports that 50 percent of small business owners say they have gained new customers through social media, with LinkedIn and Facebook leading the way. That’s a statistic worth pursuing.

The great thing about social media is the interactive, personal atmosphere it fosters between businesses and consumers. This can be a challenging characteristic for small business owners that are unsure how much personal information really should be part of their professional identity and don’t want to commit one of the 7 deadly online sins. Every industry and business differs, but here are a few ground rules when striking a balance between a business and personal social media presence:

Microsoft lights a fire for youth

By Amanda Ponzar @LivingUnited (Check out the end of this post for FREE Microsoft tools.)

Let’s be clear, I’m a BIG fan of Microsoft. Why? Their corporate citizenship team (whom I’ve worked with for five years) is great. These talented tech experts are committed to changing the world by leveraging Microsoft’s significant resources. I recently attended two Microsoft store grand openings plus their innovative Imagine Cup where students dream up crazy apps or solve major medical mysteries using Microsoft technology. On February 13, I attended Microsoft’s YouthSpark event, their newest powerhouse initiative designed to “close the youth achievement gap in education, employment, and entrepreneurship” (Twitter: @msftcitizenship & @MicrosoftIPC, #YouthSpark).

Microsoft convened nearly 100 Washington, DC government officials, nonprofits, students and more to focus on empowering youth through education and technology. Here’s what you should know and why you should care:

How to spot a blogger at ten paces...

by Yvonne DiVita

Who remembers the good old days of blogging? When blogs and bloggers were scary to big and small businesses, everywhere? Blog? Not them! They didn't want anything to do with those loud-mouthed, obnoxious, gossip-mongers who were cluttering up the web with their 'chatter'. 

I remember them well. I remember arguing with many a CEO about blogging - shortly after Lipsticking was launched. I saw the power of the written word being used to communicate beyond telephones, TV, ads in magazines, and more. I realized that forming personal relationships online was a good thing, not a scary thing. Those who were willing to listen, and try it for themselves, often found my teaching to be truthful. Others, who didn't much like the whole online communication thing, did not.

Friday Musings on a Saturday

by Yvonne DiVita

In just a few weeks the election will be over. I, personally, can't wait. While I am on pins and needles hoping for a good outcome (lots of voting - and of course, more votes for Obama), I'm distressed over the increased anger and hatred being spewed forth by the citizens of each side.

The candidates are doing what candidates do - they're working to get the vote. Not everything they say is true - each on has his own way of twisting or turning a phrase to make the other candidate look bad. I find Romney's ads insulting - as if I don't know he's lying. Perhaps his followers feel the same about Obama.

Let them be as they are. We can't change that.

Athletic Professionalism: I am an Entrepreneur

by Yvonne DiVita

Who's a fan of professional athletics? Me! Me! I love watching sports that require hard work - it's invigorating and exciting. I'm a huge fan now of baseball, thanks to Tom. And, I always enjoyed gymnastics, given my eldest was big into it when she was a child. My other daughter was a dancer, and that, too, is athletic. Don't you think?

The excellence demonstrated in professional athletics deserves a deeper study, for entrepreneurs like us. You and me. Back stories are told with tears and laughter - stories of challenge and triumph. Stories of determination and anticipation. Stories of failure and disappointment. Sounds like life as a business owner, doesn't it? Just a little?

What do these amazing athletes have that we don't? Nothing. They display the same qualities each of us brings to our prospective businesses - the qualities that make us good bets for business success. And, one of the most important things I, personally, share with these athletes is having the help of a mentor.

Friday Musings from the Hot Zone

by Yvonne DiVita - Like Lip-sticking on Facebook! 

This week we come to you from sunny Colorado where the temperatures are back in the mid-to-high 90s. After enduring a record-breaking stretch of higher than high temps, sometimes up to 105 degrees in the shade, we Coloradans were happy to embrace the 80s. Ah! Those were the day - as temps inch upwards again, we are thankful the fires are under control and we mostly have air conditioning and we did have a good bit of rain to soak into the ground.

That's key, isn't it? Being thankful for what you have - because you could lose it at any time. 

In the world of politics, we saw Mitt Romney booed by members of the NAACP. He handled it well, I think. He's also delusional about the American people, but... I was impressed by the way he stuck to his guns. Not enough to vote for him, but... enough to say so.

Friday Musings: Why are politicians so angry?

by Yvonne DiVita

I get it. All's fair in love, war and politics. So, you have to be angry and confrontational, if you want to win. Or do you?

Is it about tearing down the other guy, the other party, the other whatever? Or, is it about showing me what you're going to do that's better? I say it's the latter, but none of today's politicians have gotten that memo. Come to think of it, no politician in the history of politcis, well, in the history since I've been following politics, has gotten that memo. 

A lot of politician say that's what they're going to do: "I'm not running a hate campaign! I'm running on my princicples! I'm being honest and forthright and on the side of the people."

Yeah, sure you are. If you're on the side of the people... answer me this:

Taxes, Taxes, Taxes... Oh My!

by Yvonne DiVita

I hate taxes. Well, not taxes, per se. I mean, they serve a purpose. I support those less fortunate than I (remembering when I was one of them), and I believe in sharing - so, I don't mind paying taxes. What I hate is the yearly April necessity of figuring out my taxes. <sigh> I don't think I'm alone.

Here's the thing - despite my promise every year not to let April 15th (April 17th this year) sneak up on me, it does. Despite my firm decision to pay attention, save receipts in a file, and get organized, I don't. And, while I am smart enough to hire someone to do my taxes, I am not smart enough to have hired help to get organized.

The Right of Education

by Yvonne DiVita

"Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." That's what America is about. Yes?

What does that mean? I've never been sure what "the pursuit of happiness" is. Is it having the right job? The right spouse? Living in the right neighborhood? Is it living comfortably, because you have a good job? Is it being entitled to a fair education (which another story - what does THAT mean?)?

It can be one or two or all of those things, but to me, it starts with an education. Few of us can pursue much of anything if we don't have an education. In this country, we've gone to great lengths to provide an education for our children - in public schools. Now, understanding that not all schools are created equal, let's agree that most parents want their children to learn when they're in school. They want the basics, at the very least: reading, writing and arithmetic . If the child can read, she can write. If she can write, she can do basic math. 

But is that enough to pursue happiness? I submit that it is not.