Original article here

Author: Patrick Goffin

At Airteam, we strive to make a positive impact, not just through the software products we create, but also through the partnerships we foster and the values we have committed ourselves to. Our decision to support the Environmental Defenders Office and join the Pledge 1% initiative is another way we are trying to uphold our vision of bringing about positive change.

Who are the Environmental Defenders Office?

The Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) is an accredited community legal service dedicated to defending Australia’s wildlife, people, and places through the power of the law. 

EDO has a solid track record of taking landmark environmental cases to court and winning. 

One of their notable achievements is their work in protecting the Great Barrier Reef by ensuring that development projects comply with strict environmental regulations. They also provide vital legal support to Indigenous communities, helping to preserve their land and cultural heritage.

Who are Pledge 1%?

Pledge 1% is a global movement encouraging companies to pledge 1% of equity, profit, product, or employee time to a charity of their choice. Over 8,500 companies have joined the movement, contributing to various social and environmental causes.

Why we chose to support EDO

Supporting EDO aligns with our mission to drive positive change, as well as our core values as a business and a team:

• Do the right thing


• Build a strong team


• Focus on outcomes


• Strive for better

By supporting EDO, we feel we’re not only upholding our values but also contributing to the protection of Australia’s unique environment.

What does this mean for our clients?

We take pride in sharing this with our clients, because their decision to work with us is having a direct and meaningful impact on our environment. 

Choosing to partner with companies who are making a positive impact demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, is something we all strive for. 

Want to learn more?‍

We’d encourage everyone to learn more about EDO’s critical work and consider supporting their initiatives. You can make a donation here and join us in making a positive impact. Additionally, we encourage other businesses to join the Pledge 1% movement and commit to giving back.

Original article here

Author: Simon Thomsen

The three billionaire cofounders of Canva donated $39 million to the foundation in their company’s name over 18 months, with most of that money already given away.

Husband and wife Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht, set up the Canva Foundation with cofounder Cameron Adams in May 2020.

A month later, the privately-owned design giant Canva doubled in value to $8.7 billion following an $87 million raise. The company is now worth $39 billion and Perkins and Obrecht are among Australia’s top 10 richest people with an estimated $11 billion to their joint names thanks to their 30% stake in the business. Adams has an estimated worth of $3.3 billion.

The duo pledged to give 80% of their fortune away to the Canva Foundation for charitable causes in 2021 and have been busy living up to their word.

Filings lodged with the government regulator, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), this week revealed the trio poured $38.896 million in cash into the Canva Foundation between July 2022 and December 2023, topped up $607,416 in donations in kind.

That figure’s a substantial jump on $14.894 million donated in the 2022 financial year (the Foundation has moved to calendar year reporting with its latest filing).

What’s even more remarkable about that is that while Australia has around 150 billionaires, including the Atlassian and Afterpay cofounders, but Obrecht, 38, Perkins, 37, and Adams, 44, are the nation’s second most generous philanthropists behind Andrew Forrest and his former wife, Nicole, who gave away $224.9 million of their fortune via their own charitable fund, Minderoo.

Melbourne packaging billionaire Anthony Pratt and his family, were just behind the Canva trio in their generosity.

The Canva Foundation certainly provides bang for its bucks, costing $641,677 to run over the 18 months and giving away $31.639 million over that time.

The vast bulk of that funding, $31.266 went offshore, alongside grants and donations worth $372,478 made in Australia.

We continue to scale our support for local communities in the form of local projects and volunteering,” the Canva Foundation report says.

“During this reporting period, the Canva Foundation provided more than $164,000 to nonprofit partners to support their local goals and amplify their impact. As part of our local efforts, this year also marked the launch of a pilot Community Project in the form of a $110,000 donation to Orange Sky Laundry to create a safe, personalised, and welcoming environment for those experiencing homelessness across Sydney, Australia.”

Perkins laid out their philanthropic ambitions clearly three years ago as part of Canva’s elegantly simple  “Two-Step plan: Step 1: ‘Become one of the most valuable companies in the world’; and Step 2: ‘Do the most good we can’.”

“”It has never felt like our money, we’ve always felt that we’re purely custodians of it. As we’ve previously shared, it’s long been our intention to give the wealth away, and we’ve been thinking long and hard about the best way to start that journey,” Perkins wrote in 2021.

“We wanted to ensure that everyone who is contributing to Canva’s success in Step 1 is able to feel pride in their contribution to Step 2.”

Perkins said Step 1 should fuel Step 2, and in turn Step 2 should fuel Step 1.

“As Canva’s value grows, so too does our ability to have a positive impact on the world. And as we have a positive impact on the world, we believe that Canva will grow too by being able to attract and motivate the best team and our community who care about having a positive impact on the world too,” she said.

“We have this wildly optimistic belief that there is enough money, goodwill, and good intentions in the world to solve most of the world’s problems, and we want to spend our lifetime working towards that. We see the best way to do that is to continue to work towards both Step 1 and 2 Step of our plan: to scale Canva into one of the biggest companies in the world and build an organisation that at its core is focused on being a force for good.”

The Foundation has also invested  an initial $7.4 million in an education pilot program to improve foundational literacy and numeracy learning in Southern Africa and India.

“Following a period of comprehensive research, this program aims to support our work of uplifting individuals from extreme poverty by addressing early education as a key contributor to the poverty cycle,” the Foundation said in its report.

“The pilot program, in partnership with Prevail, will support more than 400,000 children.”

When Perkins announced their plan give away the vast majority of the billions they’ve made from building Canva in 2021, she said the growth of the business increased their ability to have a positive impact on the world.

“We have this wildly optimistic belief that there is enough money, goodwill, and good intentions in the world to solve most of the world’s problems, and we want to spend our lifetime working towards that,” she said.

Melinda French Gates, worth around $16.5 billion, recently parted ways with the foundation she established with her former husband, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, and has pledged to donate $1.5 billion (US$1bn) over the next two years to women’s causes and gender equity around the world.

Original article here

Author: Niña Cabrera

We are now a proud member of Pledge 1%, a global movement dedicated to reshaping the role of companies in society. This initiative of Pledge 1%, aims to establish a new standard for corporate social responsibility, regardless of a company’s size or stage. We’re part of this movement with 18,000+ companies across 120 countries, allocating 1% of our product, profit, and more to charitable causes.

Our decision to take part in this initiative is driven by several reasons:

Enhancing Brand Reputation

As part of our social responsibility, we uphold our core values of integrity and community support. By increasing our efforts to give back to society, we strengthen our brand identity as a company that prioritizes making a meaningful difference in the world. Through active participation in philanthropic activities and support for charitable causes, we not only enhance our brand reputation but also inspire others to join us in our mission of creating positive social impact.

Driving Innovation

Engaging in a partnership with Pledge 1% fosters a culture of innovation. It encourages our teams to think creatively about how our products and services can address social challenges, leading to new opportunities for growth and impact. We believe that by aligning our goals with meaningful social impact initiatives, we can drive innovation and create lasting positive change.

Fostering Employee Satisfaction

We understand that employees are more likely to feel proud and motivated to work for a company that prioritizes social responsibility. Investing in this aspect can significantly boost employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention.

Our Head of Professional Services, Kevin Paul, said, “We partnered with Pledge 1% to harness our employees’ passion for social impact, with a current focus on environmental sustainability, educational programs, and gender equality, inspired by the leadership of industry giants, Atlassian and Salesforce.” This just means that our partnership with Pledge 1% reflects our commitment to corporate social responsibility.

Our Previous Initiatives

Our recent inclusion in Pledge 1% strengthens our dedication to social responsibility through our previous initiatives. Firstly, the Dive into Tech: The Ribbonfish Innovation Challenge, where the top five finalists developed innovative applications using Salesforce. The three winners received cash prizes for their innovative solutions and an opportunity to work with us through a contract. Additionally, we sponsored Women of the World (WOW) Soiree in Manila. It is a program and community that empowers women to make a meaningful impact in their careers and lives. This coming June, we’ll also sponsor a Soirée in London. Lastly, we donate to charities such as WWF, Marie Curie, Clic Sargent, and NSPCC. These contributions helps important causes like environmental conservation, cancer care, and child protection. Overall, with our initiatives, it reflects our dedication to creating a positive and lasting impact on society.

Joining Pledge 1% not only benefits us but also contributes to positive change worldwide. As we progress, we invite you to support and join us on this journey toward making a difference. Let’s create a meaningful impact in shaping a better tomorrow. Together, we can create a brighter future for all. Stay updated with us for more insights into our initiatives!

 Original article here

Author: Evolving-Consulting

Waverly Robotics, a multi-tier robotics program serving Waverly Community Schools in Lansing, MI, has seen remarkable growth since its inception in late 2017. Originally starting with a single high school competition team, Waverly Robotics has expanded to over 20 teams across all grade levels, involving more than 250 active students. The program is dedicated to fostering a love for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in the community, offering students hands-on learning opportunities and competitive experiences.

“Evolving Consulting exceeded our expectations with their Salesforce consulting services. The solutions provided were innovative, efficiently implemented, and greatly enhanced our operational efficiency. The collaboration was seamless, and the results spoke for themselves. We highly recommend Evolving Consulting for Salesforce services.”

By now, most of us are all too aware that the shift to remote work, economic and political uncertainty, and evolving employee expectations have made it more challenging to deepen employee engagement. At the same time, team volunteering is a proven strategy to boost employee well-being, employee morale and retention, brand value, and community impact. But executing a successful team volunteering program isn’t easy. It requires a thoughtful approach and preparation.

Check out these 5 top tips from Mary Dohrmann, Program Manager, Employee Impact at Twilio.org – a leading Builder member of the Pledge 1% movement.

Twilio.org’s 5 top tips for building an effective team volunteering program

1. Encourage executives to demonstrate the behavior you want to see in other employees.

When employees see executives taking time to volunteer, it shows them that it’s ok for them to do that, too. Encourage your executives to champion a team volunteer event at their gatherings, reminding them the importance of leading by example and the impact that it can have on your company’s social impact goals. This will set your leaders up to be natural ambassadors of social impact across the organization.

2. Create proactive, nonprofit partnerships and start early.

Nonprofit partnerships are key to success in team volunteering. Create and foster nonprofit partnerships with turnkey volunteering opportunities in the cities where your employees gather.  Remember that on and offsite meetings get planned months in advance, and volunteer events can often be the first thing to be left off of a tight agenda. Start planning with teams as early as you can to ensure you have time carved out of the agenda and have enough time to create a meaningful social impact opportunity in partnership with your nonprofit partners.

3. Have plug and play volunteer opportunities available.

Build a toolkit with meaningful, skills-based and other volunteering opportunities for teams looking to host a volunteer event during their gatherings. Partner with your people team to help promote that toolkit and, if relevant, to get it incorporated into other guides and resources. Include in your toolkit suggestions for making your volunteer opportunities more engaging. Can you offer 2x matching to the nonprofits that teams volunteer with? Can you create competition and offer giving credits? Incentives such as these can help drive energy and excitement around plug and play volunteering.

4. Build your internal brand and tell your story.

Continuously build cross-functional connections so that you’re aware of what team gatherings are happening and when. Awareness is key to finding the right moments to integrate social impact opportunities. And, once teams start to recognize your team as the ones that can help them create a social impact opportunity, they’ll start coming to you and referring others to you. Be sure you’re asking teams for photos and stories from their volunteer events so that you can share those with others to help generate excitement and new leads.

5. Be prepared to be hands on.

The most successful team volunteer events are the ones in which the organizer feels informed, supported, and prepared. If you don’t have the perfect plug and play opportunity ready for a team, help the lead with the search. If possible, offer to help create the event on your employee impact platform and help bulk upload volunteer hours. To stay organized as the volume of requests increases, have teams fill out an intake form and lean on those proactive partnerships you have in place.

Original article here

Author: LOUIS TÊTU

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Back in 2021, my company, Coveo, joined Pledge 1%, a global movement to inspire, educate, and empower all companies to leverage their assets for good. The movement challenges organizations to pledge 1% of equity, 1% of employees’ time, 1% of profits, and 1% of technology capabilities. While our pledge date may not appear noteworthy on the surface, that changes when I reveal that we took the pledge during the run-up to our IPO.  

1. Get Your Board Aligned And Onside  

My company’s board was unwaveringly supportive of joining Pledge 1%, even given the timing. We were also fortunate to have a board member who had already participated in Pledge 1%. That individual’s support was invaluable throughout the process.

Your equity source can be corporate, founder, or a hybrid. We committed to a corporate upfront model with a sale schedule over multiple years. “Upfront” means investor dilution happens all at once and the full amount is on the cap table. This approach could allow you to benefit from stock upsides and speak confidently about your commitments, knowing your philanthropic vision is protected from management changes or M&A activity.

3. Surround Yourself With Experienced Advisors 

Tax considerations weren’t a primary concern for us, but yours may require proactive measures to receive charitable receipts. Surrounding yourself with tax, legal, and accounting experts with Pledge 1% experience is a sound strategy, as it helps you avoid unnecessary expenses and time.

We also decided to partner with donor-advised funds, or DAFs, in the U.S. and Canada rather than setting up a private corporate foundation. This allows us to more easily give back to local communities where most of our employees and customers are based.

5. Identify An Owner  

Being part of Pledge 1% centralizes ESG efforts, easing reporting and coordination. Identifying a passionate in-house owner helps to drive long-term success. Even smaller companies that can’t invest in a dedicated senior impact executive can do this. For example, we’re fortunate to have our CMO leading our ESG efforts and rallying 50+ employees to join the committees.

We put knowledge and education at the center of our 1% Pledge because we passionately believe that education is the ultimate social equalizer. Our initiatives prioritize programs for young people aged 6-18 years old in vulnerable social groups who are challenged with accessing knowledge and education. We’re already making great strides.

Since taking the pledge in 2021, we’ve donated more than a million dollars, plus thousands of employee volunteer hours, to worthy causes. Achieving this milestone wouldn’t have been possible without the willingness of our leaders and board to explore joining Pledge 1% while on the road to IPO.

I hope the insights I shared in this article ignite meaningful discussions about how to build a long-term liquidity vehicle for supporting organizations aligned with your company’s mission. The more late-stage companies that join Pledge 1%, the faster we can make meaningful corporate philanthropy the new normal.

Original post here.

Author: Reddit

We proudly announce that today Reddit has joined Pledge 1% to help support and grow communities that are driving social good online and in real life. Pledge 1% is a nonprofit and global movement of over 18,000 companies in 100 countries that inspires, educates, and empowers every entrepreneur, company, and employee to be a force for good.

We believe that Reddit is one of the most human places on the internet. Our communities play an impactful role in driving change and building a better future. Since Reddit’s founding, we have seen how communities create a positive impact and take action for the causes they believe in. From organizing local trash cleanups, raising donations for food banks and conservation funds, hosting an art gallery exhibition promoting local artists, printing redditor usernames on a Talladega racecar for a “ride-along” experience, and sending care packages to healthcare workers, communities are continuing to change the world every day.

“Communities play a special role in enabling human virtues and bringing more good in the world,” said Steve Huffman, Reddit CEO. “I’m constantly inspired by the creativity of Reddit users and communities. I’m excited to see people continue to do incredible things with support from our Pledge 1% commitment.”

Joining Pledge 1% means making a long-term commitment to reserve 1% of our common stock over 10 years to fund community-related programs. This commitment allows us to continue supporting the positive impact of our communities and investing in new opportunities that align with our mission to bring community, belonging, and empowerment to everyone in the world. We will also be able to build upon our one-of-a-kind Community Funds program that gives real people funding to bring community ideas and passions to life.

“Reddit is a community of communities, and we have seen firsthand the positive real-world impact that people have when empowered with the right resources,” said Roxy Young, Chief Marketing and Consumer Experience Officer at Reddit. “By joining Pledge 1%, we will further activate our communities in meaningful ways to help advance their interests and reach their impact potential.”

“As a business focused on empowering communities, Reddit is successfully integrating social impact into their business in a way that’s aligned with their values,” said Amy Lesnick, CEO of Pledge 1%. “This makes Reddit an incredibly important role model for other companies as we strive to transform the default DNA of every company to have social impact ingrained.”

We are thrilled to join a global network of companies that support the social good of communities today and tomorrow. We look forward to sharing more about how we are funding community-related initiatives that align with Reddit’s Community Values and empower people to do even more.

About Pledge 1%

Pledge 1% is a nonprofit and global movement that inspires, educates, and empowers every entrepreneur, company, and employee to be a force for good. Over 18,000 companies in over 100 countries around the world have taken the pledge and used Pledge 1%’s flexible framework to build their social impact programs. To learn more about Pledge 1%, and how your company can get involved, visit pledge1percent.org.

 Sauma: protecting life and hope in the heart of the Kalahari

Author: V5 Digital
Article originally posted here.

In an era where conservation challenges loom large, V5 Digital has taken a significant step in empowering environmental stewardship. Long-time members of the Pledge 1% initiative, our team used their expertise to create an impactful online presence for the Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association (Sauma), a beacon of water protection advocacy in Namibia.

Protecting the Stampriet Aquifer
The Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer, Namibia’s sole year-round freshwater source in its arid south-east, is under threat. The prospect of in situ uranium mining, with its potential for radioactive and toxic heavy metal contamination, poses a dire risk to the drinking water, wildlife, and the health of the people who call this area home.

 More than just humans rely on the pristine drinking water from our aquifers

If disaster strikes, the repercussions will be widespread. Yes, our drinking water would be jeopardised but many more areas would also feel the impact:

1. Tourism and hospitality: In situ, uranium mining-related pollution can degrade natural landscapes and wildlife habitats, which are key attractions for tourists. This can lead to a decline in tourism, adversely affecting guest farms, lodges, villages and whole towns.


2. Agriculture and livestock: Pollution can contaminate soil and water sources, affecting crop quality and yield. It can also impact livestock health and productivity, leading to economic losses in the agricultural sector.


3. Real estate and property development: Environmental degradation can lead to a decline in property values in affected areas, impacting real estate development and sales.


4. Healthcare services: Increased pollution can lead to health issues in local populations, potentially increasing the burden on healthcare services.


5. Export sector: If the pollution affects products like fruits, vegetables, or meat, it can impact the export sector, particularly if importing countries impose stricter regulations or bans due to health concerns.


6. Manufacturing: Sectors reliant on clean water and uncontaminated raw materials may face production challenges, leading to increased costs or reduced output. Additionally, essential community services such as fueling stations, banks, shops, and supermarkets will also be impacted.


7. Recreational and outdoor activities: Outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing, can be adversely affected by environmental degradation, impacting businesses that cater to these activities.

This urgency catalysed the formation of Sauma, a community united in safeguarding this precious aquifer. This isn’t just about conservation; it’s about preserving a way of life for the settlements, farms, game lodges, and unique ecosystems that depend on this vital water source.

A website and social media strategy with a purpose
Recognising the gravity of Sauma’s mission, V5 Digital embarked on a journey to amplify their voice. Our task? To develop a new website and a comprehensive social media strategy that resonates with the urgency of Sauma’s cause. Through this platform, we aimed to elevate public awareness, foster community engagement, and drive essential donations to support Sauma’s initiatives.

Local voices, global echoes
Central to our strategy was the integration of invaluable insights from devoted community volunteers, passionately dedicating their time to raise public awareness about this vital cause. We collaborated closely with vigilant farmers, caring parents, dedicated teachers, and individuals from various backgrounds, all united in their commitment to safeguard the quality of their drinking water for future generations.

When we inquired about their experience collaborating with us, Sauma generously shared: “Sauma extends its sincere gratitude to V5 Digital for their unwavering support of our vision and mission. The V5 Digital team has supported us with professional and generous backing, by applying their outstanding communication and social media skills, IT and marketing expertise. Our social media platforms and website are proof of this professional team’s outstanding abilities. Sauma’s new media presence reflects our commitment to protecting our scarce water resource for all Namibians.”

Let V5 Digital elevate your online presence with social media that connects and engages

A call to action
Our collaboration with Sauma is more than a project; it’s a partnership for the planet. We invite you to join us in this critical mission. Visit the beautiful new website we created for Sauma to learn more and make a difference. Your support empowers community advocacy, legal efforts, and the ongoing protection of the Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer.

Learn more about Sauma and make a difference here.

Like, follow, and share their Facebook content here.

 V5 Digital: Your source for sleek, functional websites that make an impact.

Armin Wieland, V5 Digital’s Founder shared the following: “V5 Digital, through our Pledge 1% initiative, support the Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association (Sauma), a beacon of water protection advocacy in Namibia. The aim of Sauma is to prevent any kind of in situ leach or leaching (ISL) or in situ recovery (ISR) mining in the Stampriet Aquifer.

“The Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System (STAS) covers a large arid region stretching from Central Namibia into Western Botswana and South Africa’s Northern Cape Province.

“As a Salesforce Partner and Pledge 1% member, V5 Digital is intentful to support initiatives that protect the environment and are strongly supporting efforts that are decelerating climate change. We have committed ourselves to be a Net Zero Company by 2025 – and are encouraging our customers to do the same across our value chain.”

 At V5 Digital, we are intentful to support initiatives that protect the environment and are strongly supporting efforts that are decelerating climate change.

V5 Digital’s comprehensive services
Inspired by our work with Sauma? V5 Digital is here to bring your vision to life, whether it’s crafting a new website, developing a holistic social media strategy, or more. Let us help you make an impact in your field. Contact us here.

This story was submitted by Passage Technology.

As winter approaches, positive stories about people making a difference can help brighten our days—and inspire us.

At Passage Technology, we’re proud to support Pledge 1% this Giving Tuesday, and all year long, through product donations to nonprofit organizations. Pledge 1% makes it easy for companies to donate 1% of their staff time, product, profit, and/or equity to a charity that they choose.

One of the nonprofits we’ve impacted is the Healthier Kids Foundation. Their mission is to remove barriers impacting the health, learning, and life success of Silicon Valley youth.

“We’re a nonprofit organization that’s dedicated to providing health care screenings, as well as dental, hearing and wellness screenings to children primarily ages two through 18,” explains the organization’s Chief of Staff, VP Information Systems and Quality, Bob Hansen.

They also provide education for mothers and children, and during the pandemic Healthier Kids provided emergency distribution of supplies to families. The organization has grown from 28 people when Bob first started to 50 employees, and last year they provided screenings for 83,000 children. You can read the full story here.

Since 2012, Passage Technology has offered product discounts to nearly 166 nonprofit customers. During previous holiday seasons, the staff has also volunteered in their local communities and made cards for hospitalized kids.