This story was submitted by Brave Factor
At Brave Factor, we commit to creating a positive impact that goes beyond just business as usual. We believe in giving back to the local community that has embraced and supported us. This year, one that holds a special place in our hearts is our collaboration with Yayasan Seva Bhuana (YSB), a nonprofit organization based in Bali with a focus on improving animal welfare (and supporting the families who love them).
About Brave Factor
Since 2017, our digital agency has been dedicated to supporting nonprofits and mission-driven brands, ensuring they have the foundation they need to create clarity and increase their social impact online. We support local causes through donations, design or branding assistance, and knowledge-sharing. We consider it a privilege to give back to the communities, upcoming changemakers, and the beautiful island we call home.
About Yayasan Seva Bhuana (YSB)
Yayasan Seva Bhuana is a nonprofit organization that focuses on improving animal welfare. Originating as a local initiative, YSB began by raising awareness in their neighborhood, addressing the needs of stray dogs, and engaging with the community. Their vision revolves around enhancing the welfare of animals through sterilization and education. Recognizing that mindset shifts take time, YSB ensures every individual they reach becomes an extended hand in promoting the importance of animal welfare within the broader Bali community.
How We Supported YSB This Year
Supporting YSB aligns with our belief in making a difference locally and assisting smaller nonprofits in achieving their goals. Bali is not just a location for us; it’s a community we deeply care about, and YSB’s mission resonates with our dedication to caring for those around us.
Understanding the importance of visibility and impact in the digital age, we collaborated with YSB to create a compelling online presence. Our team at Brave worked closely with YSB to design and develop their website, ensuring it effectively communicated their mission, programs, and goals. By enhancing their online visibility, we aimed to amplify YSB’s reach and engage a broader audience.
We also provided support in optimizing their donation processes. Recognizing the vital role that financial contributions play in achieving nonprofit objectives, we worked to streamline YSB’s donation system, making it more efficient and user-friendly.
Our collaboration with Yayasan Seva Bhuana is more than just a project; it’s a shared commitment to creating a positive impact on the welfare of animals and the community at large.
Original article here
Author: Maria Villalba Gomez
As a proud member of the Pledge 1% movement, Braze has committed to contribute 1% of its outstanding equity (as of 2021) over ten years to uplift charitable organizations through the Braze for Social Impact Fund at Tides Foundation. This commitment reflects our deep dedication to amplifying employee passions, investing in our communities, and driving science-based climate solutions. That’s why, for the second consecutive year, our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) have played a pivotal role in guiding our philanthropic endeavors. These ERGs, formed by employees with shared experiences, interests, or backgrounds, have been instrumental in directing a significant portion of our Social Impact Fund. By harnessing the collective expertise and enthusiasm of our diverse workforce, we ensure that our charitable contributions directly serve and resonate with the communities our employees care about.
In the second year of the Braze ERG Grant Program, our ten ERGs have allocated $300,000 in unrestricted grants to over 36 impactful nonprofits and charities worldwide since August 2023. These organizations, chosen by each ERG to reflect their values, address a broad spectrum of needs, from providing immediate support and essential services to advocating for systemic change. By supporting organizations that empower underrepresented and marginalized communities, our ERGs honor their shared experiences and interests, driving tangible and positive change across the global communities they passionately support.
“Pride@ Braze chose to support the Ali Forney Center, Galop, the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, and 56 Dean Street because of their unwavering commitment to advocating for and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. These organizations are at the forefront of providing essential services, legal assistance, and healthcare to those in need, both domestically and internationally. Our inclusive choice reflects Pride@Braze’s dedication to global equality and resilience, embodying our shared values. By supporting these organizations, we aim to make a tangible impact and contribute to the ongoing fight for LGBTQIA+ rights and well-being worldwide. It’s an honor to be able to contribute to these remarkable organizations as they continue to make a difference and positive impact within our communities.”
—Hannah Collins, Pride@Braze President
For a comprehensive list of this year’s grant recipients, please see below:
2024 ERG Grants
Asians@Braze:
Asian Mental Health Collective works to make mental health easily available, approachable, and accessible to Asian communities worldwide.
Chinatown Health aims to improve access to quality health care for underserved Asian Americans and other vulnerable populations by supporting community-based health care services.
Japanese American National Museum promotes understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Japanese American experience.
Stand with Asian Americans supports Asian American communities through organizing and empowerment efforts.
Black@Braze:
Black Girl Ventures Foundation aims to provide underrepresented woman-identifying founders with access to community, capital, and capacity-building in order to meet business milestones that lead to economic advancement through entrepreneurship.
National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) supports Black individuals, families, and communities in strengthening the bonds and bridging the gaps between the movements for racial justice and LGBTQ+/SGL equity.
The Fifteen Percent Pledge is a call to action for major retailers and corporations to join in creating sustainable and supportive ecosystems for Black-owned businesses to succeed. They work with companies to comprehensively re-evaluate their organizational structures, ways of working, funding, and resourcing in order to implement meaningful change and create greater equity for Black businesses.
PRINCESS Foundation provides mentoring and empowerment programs for high school females in New Jersey. Their primary purpose is to address the unmet challenges faced by young women, guiding them toward success and empowerment.
Brown@Braze:
IKWRO provides advice and support to Middle Eastern, North African, and Afghan women and girls living in the UK who have experienced or are at risk of all forms of “honor” based abuse, including: Forced marriage, child marriage, and female genital mutilation, or domestic abuse by offering free advice, advocacy, and counseling services.
Udavum Karangal (Helping Hands) has the sole objective to serve people in need. The center provides individualized services including treatment, care, rehabilitation, and education.
Sewa International specializes in disaster relief and rehabilitation. Their development programs focus on family services; child, tribal, and refugee welfare; women empowerment; health; and education.
Elle@Braze:
Dress for Success empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
Girls Who Code works to close the gender gap in technology and to change the image of what a programmer looks like and does through coding clubs, summer programs, and college and career programs.
Ipas works globally to advance reproductive justice by expanding access to abortion and contraception.
Seeds of Fortune is a scholars program and ed tech platform creating the next generation of financially empowered young women of color. They help them apply for college scholarships and teach career, financial, and management skills.
World Central Kitchen is first on the frontlines, providing meals to communities impacted by natural disasters and during prolonged humanitarian crises, such as the war in Ukraine.
Healthy Minds@Braze:
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is a suicide prevention movement that provides free and confidential helpline and webchat for those who need to talk, among many other community and campaign services.
Jaya Mental Health aims to equip healthcare professionals and local people with the resources needed to cope with mental illness in South Asia.
The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.
To Write Love On Her Arms is dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide.
Jews@Braze:
The Holocaust Educational Trust works to ensure that people from every background are educated about the Holocaust and the important lessons to be learned for today.
UJA-Federation of New York cares for Jews everywhere and New Yorkers of all backgrounds, responding to crises both close to home and far away, strengthening the local Jewish community, and building coalitions that promote inclusion.
Muslims@Braze:
Baitulmaal USA provides life-saving, life-sustaining, and life-enriching humanitarian aid to underserved populations around the world.
Global Deaf Muslim USA works to address the rights and needs of Deaf Muslims across the global ummah, increasing the access to Islamic information available in sign language.
Helping Hand for Relief and Development is a global humanitarian relief and development organization responding to human suffering in emergency and disaster situations around the world. In addition to emergency relief efforts in natural or man-made disasters, they also work on long-term relief and development programs.
Nisa Homes offers transitional homes for immigrant, refugee, non-status, and Muslim women who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Nisa Homes envision a flourishing Muslim community in which help is available, shelter is attainable, and healing is possible.
Parents@Braze:
Children International seeks to ensure children around the world have access to healthcare, food, and shelter, as well as learning and child protection services when children need it most.
Hello Nurze is a platform where medically complex families can find in-home nursing care and nurses can find opportunities to work with families in need.
We All Code’s mission is to introduce a diverse group of children to the fun of coding by providing free educational resources and hands-on classes.
Every Mother Counts aims to achieve quality, respectful, and equitable maternity care for all by giving grants and working with partners and thought leaders to increase awareness and mobilize communities to take action.
Pride@Braze:
Galop works directly with thousands of LGBT+ people in the UK who have experienced abuse and violence every year. They specialize in supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime, honor-based abuse, forced marriage, so-called conversion therapies, and other forms of interpersonal abuse.
The Ali Forney Center is committed to saving the lives of LGBTQ+ young people by protecting them from the harms of homelessness and empowering them with the tools needed to live independently.
The Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP) works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination, or violence.
56 Dean Street is an expert sexual health clinic in London that focuses on the needs of the LGBTQI+ community.
SOMOS:
GreenLatinos is an active community of Latino leaders confronting national and local environmental issues in the Latino community.
Forever Changed International is dedicated to providing holistic care for vulnerable children. Through Dorie’s Promise Orphan Care Home in Guatemala City, they offer a nurturing environment where children receive comprehensive support from trained professionals in pediatrics, education, social work, and child care.
The Colibrí Center for Human Rights works to create a safe, humane, and effective process for families of missing migrants to find answers.
Philanthropic giving is just one facet of our comprehensive social impact strategy. Through the Braze for Social Impact Fund, we are deeply committed to driving meaningful change and creating a lasting positive impact on underrepresented and underserved communities. We take immense pride in the difference these grants will make in the lives of individuals and the broader communities we strive to uplift.
To learn more about Braze and our social impact efforts, check out our 2024 ESG Report coming soon in July 2024. Check out last year’s report here.
In recent years, the United States’ political landscape has become increasingly tumultuous and exhausting. For many Americans, the constant barrage of news, the deepening partisan divide, and policy gridlock have taken a toll on our collective mental and emotional well-being.
While political engagement is crucial for democracy, it can be equally important for an individual’s well-being to engage in ways that make them feel more empowered, motivated and fulfilled in their day-to-day lives.
As you strategize about ways to support employee engagement in your communities, civic engagement can be a powerful way to give employees a greater sense of purpose and power which can lead to increased morale, higher job satisfaction, better overall performance, and retention (1).
Additional benefits of supporting civic engagement by your employees include:
Skill Development
Civic engagement can provide opportunities for employees to develop and refine a wide range of skills, such as leadership, communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. These skills can be valuable in the workplace and enhance career growth.
Increased Employee Loyalty
Organizations that support and encourage civic engagement demonstrate a commitment to their employees’ personal growth and values. This, in turn, can foster a sense of loyalty and dedication among employees.
Positive Brand Image
Companies that actively participate in civic engagement activities and support their employees’ involvement often enjoy a positive brand image. Consumers and stakeholders tend to view such organizations as socially responsible and ethical, which can boost reputation and trust.
Community Impact
Employee involvement in civic activities can have a direct and positive impact on the communities in which organizations operate. This can build strong community relationships and create goodwill, potentially benefiting the company in various ways.
Diverse Perspectives
Civic engagement exposes employees to diverse perspectives and experiences, which can lead to greater creativity and innovation in the workplace. Employees with a broader worldview may bring fresh ideas and insights to the table.
Professional Networking
Engaging in civic activities often involves networking with individuals from different backgrounds and professions. This can expand employees’ professional networks, opening up new opportunities for collaboration and career advancement.
Personal Growth
Civic engagement can be personally fulfilling and provide a sense of accomplishment. Employees who feel fulfilled and empowered in their personal lives are often more motivated and productive in their professional roles.
Empowering employees through civic engagement is not only socially responsible but can also yield numerous benefits for individuals and companies alike, contributing to a more engaged, satisfied, and productive workforce.
Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your employees by empowering them to become active and engaged citizens?
Join us on Tuesday, November 14th at 9:00am PST / 12:00pm EST for “Empower Your Employees Through Civic Engagement.” The first in our new “Igniting Impact” webinar series designed to be your go-to resource for inspiration, guidance and actionable insights that can spark ideas and initiatives designed to meet your pledge for social good.
Want to reference this content in a slide presentation? Check out the summary slide.
(1) Pancer, S. Mark (2014). The Psychology of Citizenship and Civic Engagement: Oxford University Press
Record Point, a member of the Pledge 1% community, is dedicated to making a positive impact in their local and global communities. They stand behind causes their employees are passionate about and align with their company’s values.
Record Point champions DV Safe Phones’ mission to supply ‘secure’ mobile phones to domestic violence survivors.
This collaboration has significantly transformed the lives of over 500 individuals impacted by domestic violence in Australia.
DV Safe Phone: A Lifeline for Domestic Violence Survivors
Founded by Ashton Wood in April 2020, DV Safe Phone is a unique initiative that strives to repurpose unused mobile phones from people’s drawers and place them in the hands of those who need them the most—domestic violence survivors. This program has been a beacon of hope for individuals who often find themselves isolated and in distress during emergencies due to the loss of their vital means of communication.
The DV Safe Phone initiative operates by providing refurbished mobile phones to domestic violence victims through partnerships with registered charities, safe houses, and authorities. These mobile phones act as lifelines for victims, enabling them to connect with loved ones and essential services, offering them a way out of abusive situations.
The impact of this initiative is not to be underestimated, as it has distributed over 6,800 life-saving devices, each one representing a transformed life through the gift of a safe phone. The collected old mobile phones donated by individuals play a vital role in this program, providing victims with a means to reach out for help and support during their most challenging moments, free of charge.
Get Involved and Make a Difference
The DV Safe Phone initiative’s mission is clear—to make a difference in the lives of domestic violence survivors by repurposing unused mobile phones. You can get involved by visiting https://dvsafephone.org/donate-phones to find out where you can donate your old mobile phone. Your contribution, no matter how small, can have a significant impact on someone’s life.
To gain a better understanding of the work, mission, and impact of DV Safe Phone, we encourage you to watch this video, https://tinyurl.com/dvsafephone, which offers a firsthand look at the positive changes this initiative is making in the lives of those affected by domestic violence.
Join the Movement
Record Point’s commitment to supporting causes like DV Safe Phone demonstrates how businesses can play a pivotal role in driving positive change. To learn more about DV Safe Phone and how you can contribute to this life-changing initiative, visit their website at https://dvsafephone.org/.
Your support and involvement are greatly appreciated as we strive to create a better, safer future for those affected by domestic violence.
Originally posted here.
By Alison Michalk
Quiip facilitates online conversations between brands and humans using world-class community management. Our mission is to connect, protect and support people online.
As a B Corp, our vision is to be a socially & environmentally committed business leader. We strive to push the boundaries of what is expected in responsible business. Sharing the progress of our impact is important to us, as is the satisfaction for our clients and team.
Measurements of our impact are tracked and published in our annual Impact Reports. A previous report of our impact can be read here, FY22.
In FY23 we made a number of advances
We are proud of the incredible work we have been able to deliver to clients over the last financial year. We provided world-class services to a large range of clients and improved their impact through connecting, protecting and supporting people online.
Team
We added five new Quiipees to our growing team – based across numerous time zones in northern and southern hemispheres.
We continued to offer our team bonuses, interest-free loans, primary and secondary caregiver leave, donation matching, access to a socially responsible superannuation fund and paid volunteer time.
We remained focused on creating a positive, safe, and healthy work environment offering access to our employee assistance program, Uprise.
Our team also shared their valuable industry knowledge on AI and community management, tackling racism online, the dark side of Facebook ads and much more on the Quiip blog.
We are pleased to share our internal employee satisfaction survey delivered an outstanding 9.5/10 when asked, “overall how would you rate Quiip as a place to work.”
“I am very energised in creating an extraordinary company that values people and planet over profit – we’ve made some huge gains in the last year. I am honoured to share them with you here.”
– Alison Michalk, CEO of Quiip
Clients
We are proud of the incredible work we have been able to deliver to our clients over the last year.
Our Client Listening Report, conducted in November 2022, saw us improve our ‘net promoter score’ from 9.2 to 9.7. Not only is a high standard of client service delivery important to us, this comprehensive review and feedback creates transparency within the company.
B Corp
B Corp Certification is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials. The details of our impact score can be viewed under Quiip’s profile on B Lab’s website.
United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Created by the United Nations in 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) comprise 17 goals and 169 actionable targets to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change by 2030.
At Quiip, we recognise that private enterprise has a significant role to play in achieving these SDGs. One of the six identified transformational challenges required to meet the goals is “digital transformation” in which social media and online communities have an important role to play. We chose to work towards 5 specific goals through our pro-bono work, and our giving commitment.
Our 5 key SDG focuses:
#3 Good Health & Well-being
#4 Quality Education
#5 Gender Equality
#10 Reduced Inequalities
#13 Climate Action
Environmental
At Quiip, we acknowledge the planet as a primary stakeholder. We understand the criticality of climate change and that our actions and decisions can contribute to its impacts, prevention, or reversal.
- While we recognise the need to avoid and reduce emissions first and foremost, Quiip supported carbon offset projects, while maintaining Carbon Neutral* status via the Trace platform.
- We published our Ethical Charter that guides and shares our decision making process.
- We donated A$20,000 to four climate-change focused organisations: Climate Council, Seed, Karrkad Kanjdji Trust and the Kelp Forest Alliance. Plus, A$1000 to the Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia (WELA) Giving Circle.
- We maintained our company travel policy, minimising non-essential air travel. We also ensured local travel adhered to accommodation and transportation modes that reduced our impact.
- We demonstrated environmental advocacy by participating in Seed’s campaign calling for no public money for fossil fuels.
- As a business we have committed to halving emissions by 2030 and reaching Netzero by 2050.
- In April 2023 we launched a unique multi-year project initiative to measure the carbon footprint of our employees’ homes, due to our remote business model.
- Across 2023 we worked on our Impact Roadmap – a comprehensive roadmap detailing over 100 specific actions the business is working towards, across 10 impact areas (results released in FY23 Q2).
*We acknowledge that carbon neutral is no longer a useful term, so we are working towards genuine emission reductions at Quiip. Our FY23 footprint will be calculated and verified in November 2023.
Social
At Quiip our vision is to be a socially responsible business. In terms of our social impact -our mission itself is to connect, protect and support people online by creating safe and inclusive spaces. As a B Corp we recognise people as primary stakeholders. This includes staff, clients, suppliers and the members we engage with online.
Our work saw us deliver services to: reduce gambling harm (Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation); dismantle barriers to physical activity for women (This Girl Can – Victoria);improve road safety and decrease road deaths (StreetSmarts); increase awareness of mental health, testicular cancer risk and prostate cancer risk (Movember); educate Australians on the impact of alcohol during pregnancy (FARE), support mental health and addiction treatment services (Turning Point). advance gender equity in business leadership (Women & Leadership Australia; assist rare disease advocates (Rare Voices); minimise alcohol and drug harm (Alcohol & Drug Foundation); connect NDIS participants (Kinora); research the prevalence of vaping content aimed at young people (VicHealth); fellow B Corporations (Australian Ethical Super); build a community with and for new teachers (Teach for Australia).
Giving
At Quiip we aim to donate at least 1.1% of our revenue (not profits) to non-profits.
“This is not philanthropy. This should be a cost of doing business on this planet.”
– Patagonia
The recipients of our giving commitment this year were as below:
If you are interested in our social media and online community management services, our B Corp certification, our people and culture or other — please get in touch.
Originally posted here.
Written by James Pikul
At Buzzbold, I am grateful that our commitment to the 1% pledge aligns perfectly with my personal ethos of community giving. It’s about more than just our day-to-day work. It’s about allowing the team to take time away from our computers and make a real impact in the community. Which embodies our core values of Trust, Inclusion, and Growth.
Over the past year, I’ve focused on various volunteer endeavors outside of work. From serving the homeless on Thanksgiving to supporting Pride St. Louis on Christmas to provide warm meals for those in need. These experiences deepened my understanding of our impact on others’ lives. It’s a testament to the incredible power we hold to transform someone’s life through simple acts of kindness. Making a difference in the world around me has become my life’s passion. I ask myself, ‘How can I give back to the community around me?’
Volunteering at St. Louis Area Foodbank
I had the incredible privilege of spending a morning at the St. Louis Area Foodbank alongside some fellow local St. Louis team members. As part of our commitment to the 1% pledge, we dedicated our time to volunteering, and the experience was nothing short of heartwarming and eye-opening.
Our task for the day was to help with packaging onions and apples. What may sound like a simple chore turned into an extraordinary opportunity to contribute to our local community. Alongside a group of dedicated volunteers, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work, packaging an array of food items that would soon find their way to the tables of those in need.
Impactful Achievements: Turning Pounds into Meals
Here’s a glimpse of what we accomplished together during our volunteering shift:
Onions: 2 totes, totaling a staggering 9,720 pounds.
Dressings: 10 pallets, with a weight of 3,840 pounds.
Produce: A remarkable 800 cases, equating to 7,800 pounds.
In total, we processed a whopping 13,560 pounds of food! That’s equivalent to 6.78 tons of nourishment for our community. And the impact we made extended even further than we could have imagined:
- Meals Provided: Thanks to our collective effort, we helped provide 11,069 meals to those battling hunger in St. Louis.
- Sustained Support: Our volunteering will provide sustenance for one person for approximately 10.11 years. It’s incredible to think that just three hours of our day can have such a lasting impact.
A Rewarding Experience: Enriching Lives Beyond Food
This volunteering experience was not just about packaging food. It was about being a part of something much larger than ourselves, further enhancing our company’s values of Trust, Inclusion, and Growth. It was about making a tangible difference in the lives of those who may be going through challenging times. The smiles on the faces of our fellow volunteers and the Foodbank staff, and the knowledge that we played a role in alleviating hunger in our community, made this experience immensely rewarding.
We’re immensely grateful to Salesforce’s 1% pledge for inspiring us to take action and give back to the community. Volunteering at the St. Louis Foodbank was a humbling reminder that small acts of kindness can create ripples of positivity, and we encourage everyone to find ways to get involved and make a difference in their own communities.
Thank you, St. Louis Area Foodbank, for the opportunity to serve alongside such incredible volunteers, and thank you to all those who support and contribute to this vital organization. We’re honored to have played a small part in your mission of providing food and hope to those in need.
Let’s continue to make a positive impact, one step, one onion, and one meal at a time.
Together, through collaboration and shared purpose, we can not only excel in business but also champion a brighter, sustainable future for all.
Originally posted here.
By: Gina Tesla
At Coupa we’re dedicated to unlocking purpose for the communities where we work and live. We believe in the exponential impact of working with our customers, partners and local communities to innovate and drive results on key societal issues. One of the causes we are dedicated to is environmental justice, and we were delighted when Salesforce Naomi Morenzoni Rebecca Ferguson agreed to jump into our Equal Air Project focused on the disproportionate effects of air pollution on marginalized communities. Salesforce and Coupa recognize that communities are an important element of a comprehensive climate strategy, that we must engage those most affected in meaningful solutions.
Together, we contributed expertise through Coupa’s Purpose in Action program, which partnered with nonprofits, Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet, Sustainable Silicon Valley, and Rise South City to improve their impact on local communities. We applaud nonprofits and their dedication to community-driven solutions and we recognize that we have an important role to play in supporting their success through strategic volunteerism, with key implementation partners such as Pyxera Global.
As a result of our blended Coupa and Salesforce teams, we dedicated nearly 1,000 hours, provided recommendations for scaling programs, expanded donor engagement and organizational strategy, created networks among the nonprofits, and are providing ongoing support through employee volunteerism.
We know that collaboration drives innovation, particularly when we engage diverse knowledge sets and experiences, which is why Coupa and Salesforce not only contributed expertise, but also learned together, with and from, our nonprofit partners which makes all of us stronger. Our employees benefited from stepping out of their comfort zones and day-to-day responsibilities to challenge themselves to apply their knowledge and lived experiences for the benefit of communities. This provided an opportunity for everyone to learn, grow and lead. We look forward to expanding this impact through the Pledge 1% network and beyond in 2024.
More about Coupa and Salesforce Purpose in Action Collaboration
Pyxera Global, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., boasts over 30 years of experience operating in over 100 countries. Its mission is to enhance global resilience by mobilizing the collective resources of corporations, governments, and communities to drive positive social and environmental change. Pyxera Global offers strategy, advisory, technical assistance, and implementation services to partners committed to incubating and accelerating community-driven solutions while bolstering local economies and respecting planetary boundaries. We partnered with Pyxera Global to help identify our nonprofit partners, develop challenge statements best suited for Coupa and Salesforce teams to address, and support team engagement throughout the project.
Acterra is a beacon of hope and innovation in fostering sustainable change. Dedicated to driving local solutions for a healthier planet, their focus ranges from promoting sustainable food systems and energy efficiency to advocating renewable energy and sustainable business practices. Our joint mission focused on amplifying Acterra’s outreach, arming them with insights that will motivate more individuals to embrace sustainable living. This included helping to identify new donors and opportunities for program growth. We also delivered technical and community engagement solutions to establish meaningful relationships across communities in the Bay Area for Acterra, including analysis of translation services, communications content, and partnership recommendations.
Sustainable Silicon Valley collaborates with an impressive array of stakeholders, from tech giants to local communities, to confront the Bay Area’s most pressing sustainability challenges. We worked to streamline the messaging surrounding the Youth Air Quality Advocate program by creating materials to secure funding, a roadmap and future recommendations for the program’s success and scalability. By doing so, we aim to empower a new generation to understand, measure, and counteract air pollution in their localities.
Lastly, our collaboration with Rise South City holds a special promise. Dedicated to facilitating critical dialogues about climate change and social equity, Rise South City stands at an exciting growth juncture. Our teams worked closely with them to craft a robust strategic plan, helping them solidify their organizational structure, governance, and standards of excellence.
By: Annie Field, Head of Community Impact, Contentful
This post is part of a special series to recognize Pledge 1% Members featured on the 2023 Cloud 100 List.
Why did you first decide to join Pledge 1%?
Contentful joined Pledge 1% to share the value that our business creates with the organizations that drive a positive impact on the broader world. Pledge 1% will allow us to provide charitable giving to organizations long into the future.
What does your Pledge 1% program look like in action?
Contentful has pledged 1% of its equity. This pledge ensures that as we grow, we’ll continue to make positive contributions to the world around us. This is in addition to our pro bono product and employee volunteer time off programs.
An example of this is The World Food Program’s ShareTheMeal app, which is built on the Contentful platform that enables anyone in the world to donate funds to support those suffering from food insecurity with the click of a button. Another nonprofit organization that Contentful is proud to work with is Breastcancer.org . It chose the Contentful platform when it launched its redesigned and re-platformed website to better serve its global community.
What have been some of the greatest highlights or impact moments to date?
We have more than 200 pro bono customers and, last year, gave away more than $2.5 million in product to nonprofits that use our platform to connect with their supporters and clients and elevate their mission. Additionally, Contentful employees have volunteered more than 1,000 hours this year, including trail clean-ups and volunteering at schools, food banks, youth education programs, and more.
What does it mean to you to be a Pledge 1% member on the Cloud 100 List?
“We’re extremely proud to be a part of Pledge 1%. By being intentional with our time and resources today, we can ensure our future impact is significant and purpose-driven.” Sascha Konietzke, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Contentful.
Pledge 1% aligns to our core value of Strive Together. With the combined power of all companies who have Pledged 1% – including our Cloud 100 peers — we can make a lasting, meaningful impact on our future by tackling the toughest issues of our time.
Can you share any quick tips or learnings you’ve gained while implementing your program?
It can feel daunting, but you must start. Another one of our core values is Growth Mindset. We have approached our program in this spirit and are actively learning and iterating daily. This includes measuring our impact and ensuring we are continuously telling the story of our impact to, hopefully, inspire others to action.
If you were to give one piece of advice to companies thinking about joining Pledge 1%, what would you say?
Join us! Pledge 1% is an opportunity to show how you live your values and be a part of something bigger than business, industry, or profits. Each Pledge 1% community member has a unique solution they’re offering their customers. Pledge 1% enables companies to create meaningful social impact from the value generated from that solution.
Originally posted here.
The Growth Heroes team is part of the Pledge 1% community dedicated to giving back. Donating over $5,000 to 18 organizations in 2022, we are proud of our Pledge 1% members.
“Pledge 1% is a global movement that encourages and empowers companies of all sizes to donate 1% of their staff time, product, profit, and equity to ANY charity of their choosing.” With the connections the Pledge 1% program has given us, the Growth Heroes team was able to make contributions to organizations all across the nation. We are fortunate to have these opportunities to impact the world around us. With over $5,000 in donations across 18 organizations, we are hoping to help the lives of those in our communities.
This years donations were chosen by our employees. Each team member chose an organization they hope to see grow and be able to provide for their communities. Having our team involved within our Pledge 1% contributions is important to our virtual work environment and continuing a sense of community.
2nd Helpings
2nd Helpings is an Indianapolis hunger relief agency aimed at transforming lives through the power of food. They are a community kitchen that does more than collect food; 2nd Helpings “provides an avenue for people to transform their own lives.” Their organization accepts donations to help prepare nutritious meals for thousands of hungry children and adults daily, distributing them free of charge.
American Lung Association
A world free of lung disease is the vision of the American Lung Association. Providing education, advocacy, and research for all lung disease patients, 90 cents of every donation goes to program services. These services can be life-saving and life-changing for those in need. Knowing that our contribution leads to such an impact is something we truly love about our Pledge 1% contributions.
Daily Bread Community Food Pantry
Based in the small town of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, the Daily Bread Community Food Pantry provides services for over 700 community members each month. That’s over 200 households and 246 children provided with basic needs. From food to hygiene products to back-to-school items and holiday specialties, Daily Bread is a staple support system for the Collegeville community.
Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders is a worldwide organization that “provides independent, impartial medical humanitarian assistance to the people who need it most.” With a project area of more than 72 countries and territories, they can provide over 12 million medical consultations. We support their recognition of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Growth Heroes is proud to support Doctors Without Borders.
Electronic Frontier Foundation
The Electronic Frontier Foundation is “the leading nonprofit defending digital privacy, free speech, and innovation.” The EFF is working to support a world where technology supports freedom, justice, and innovation for all. As a leading voice in online rights debates, they encourage supporters to take action through their Action Center.
Gleaners Food Bank
The food insecurity rate has increased by 13% since 2019 in Indianapolis. Thousands of food-insecure people and children can count on Gleaners Food Bank for assistance. With 433 mobile pantries across the state, they have distributed 28.6 million meals!
Harmony Theater
“The mission of Harmony Theater is to create, support, and offer opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in performing arts activities as an avenue for self-expression, social interaction, and community connection.” The theater provides a creative performance environment for people with disabilities. This organization is a true community for all those involved.
Indy Humane
Indy Humane has been “committed to helping central Indiana’s pets in need since 1905.” In 2021, the organization was able to take in 3,600 animals and adopt 2,835 pets to their forever homes. They can provide many routines and other medical services. With the help of various donations, Indy Humane rescues animals in need.
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful has a variety of community programs aimed at “engaging diverse communities to create vibrant public places, helping people and nature thrive.” They have an Impact Hub where volunteers can participate and work towards a more beautiful Indianapolis.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a global leader in the fight against cancer. With a mission to “cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma and improve the quality of life of patients and their families,” This organization makes a difference in millions of lives with personalized treatment and support.
Mayo Clinic – Parkinson’s Disease Research
Patients at the Mayo Clinic are treated as people first and as patients second. “Treatment at the Mayo Clinic is a truly human experience.” We are happy to donate to their cause and goal of innovation with impact. With treatment facilities and medical professionals nationwide, patients access the top-level care they need anywhere.
Milford Arts Council – MAC Endowment Fund
“The MAC Endowment was established to promote and nurture the arts in Milford and surrounding communities by offering grants and scholarships to local student and adult artists.” With the help of donations like ours, students can pursue their goals of furthering their education in areas such as music, dance, creative writing, visual arts, and theater.
Rainforest Foundation US
Focused on the countries of Peru, Brazil, Guyana, and Panama, the Rainforest Foundation is working “to support indigenous and traditional peoples of the world’s rainforests in their efforts to protect their environment and fulfill their rights.” Rainforests are crucial to the environment and global warming as they absorb and store more carbon dioxide than all other types of forests.
SPCA Cincinnati
The SPCA of Cincinnati has a 99% live release rate. As a no-kill shelter, 100% of healthy and safe pets find homes. Their mission is “to be a driving force in promoting animal welfare, strengthening the human-animal bond, providing humane education, and eliminating pet overpopulation.”
The Current – mpr.org
The Current is a listener-supported music station. Supporting The Current “connects communities across the region through trusted news, independent music, and community conversation, no matter where you live or how you listen.” They also host several events within the community, bringing people together through music.
WFYI
“WFYI is a nonprofit organization providing trusted news and quality entertainment for 50 years while educating and engaging the community.” In this age of digital transformation, where misinformation spreads quickly and easily, it is pivotal to have a source of reliable and accurate information. WFYI aims to provide just that to its listeners.
Wheeler Mission – Programs for Homeless Women and Children
65% of the Wheeler Missions’ income comes from monetary contributions towards programming and fundraising to provide for those in need. Their “services take a holistic approach to our local homeless community by providing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual help.” With shelter services, residential programs, and additional recovery programs, the Wheeler Mission can change lives within the Indianapolis area.
Wounded Warrior Project
The Wounded Warrior Project provides for the post-service needs of veterans when they return home. They have programs for “mental health, career counseling, and long-term rehabilitative care.” With a vision “to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation’s history,” Growth Heroes is proud to donate to an organization providing such support to those in need.
In addition to our monetary donations noted above, we would like to give special recognition to the time members donated throughout the year as well. As a project manager for DLRS, Jim has the opportunity to provide insight and support with his time. Other team members have been able to provide their time to organizations such as Toys for Tots and local organizations that focus on giving back to local communities.
Growth Heroes is a proud member of Pledge 1% and takes full advantage of the opportunities to donate our time, product, profit, and equity to our chosen charities. Giving back to our communities and knowing we can help organizations make a difference in someone’s life is truly joyous. We look forward to seeing the positive changes these organizations can have on the world around us.
To learn more about Pledge 1% and to take the pledge yourself visit their site here: https://pledge1percent.org/