Points of Light Announces 2019 Honorees of The Civic 50 at Annual Conference
St. Paul, Minn. (June 17, 2019) – Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service announces The Civic 50 honorees of 2019, recognizing them as the most community-minded companies in the United States. The Civic 50 awards provide a framework for good corporate citizenship, and showcases how committed companies are moving social impact, civic engagement and community to the center of their business.
The Civic 50 will be officially recognized at the 2019 Points of Light Conference in St. Paul, Minnesota, this evening, where nearly 2,000 leaders in volunteerism and civic engagement gather to learn and share the knowledge, resources and connections needed to galvanize the power of people to create change globally.
“Points of Light believes that companies, their employees and partners can be drivers of transformative social change in communities around the world”, said Natalye Paquin, president and CEO, Points of Light. “This year’s honorees of The Civic 50 collectively gave $2.3 billion to their communities – often giving 50% more than other companies, and volunteered for more than 10.5 million hours in 2019. These results exemplify exceptional corporate leadership in community and civic engagement.”
The Civic 50 honorees are public and private companies with U.S. operations and revenues of $1 billion or more, and are selected based on four dimensions of their U.S. community engagement program – investment, integration, institutionalization and impact. Since 2011, The Civic 50 has provided a national standard for superior corporate citizenship and showcased how companies can use their time, skills and other resources to improve the quality of life in the communities where they do business.
The Civic 50 Honorees of 2019
AbbVie Inc.AflacAllstate Insurance CompanyAltria Group, Inc.*AT&T Inc.*BarclaysBlue Cross and Blue Shield of LouisianaCaesars EntertainmentCapital OneCharles Schwab & Co., Inc.Citigroup, Inc.Clif Bar & CompanyComcast NBCUniversalComerica BankConagra BrandsCSAA Insurance GroupCVS Health
DeloitteDelta Air LinesDTE Energy*Entergy CorporationFedEx*Freeport-McMoRan*General Mills, Inc.Hasbro, Inc.*Health Care Service Corporation*Hewlett Packard EnterpriseHogan LovellsKeurig Dr PepperKeyBank*KPMG LLPMarriott International IncMGM Resorts InternationalPIMCO
Prudential Financial, Inc.PwCRaytheon CompanyRegeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.S&P GlobalState Street CorporationSymantec CorporationTata Consultancy Services*The Hershey CompanyToyota Financial ServicesTSYSUnitedHealth GroupUnumValero Energy Corporation*WellCare Health Plans, Inc.Wells Fargo & Company
* Indicates a company that is a sector leader.
The Civic 50 Sector Leaders of 2019Consumer Discretionary: Hasbro, Inc.Consumer Staples: Altria Group, Inc.Energy: Valero Energy CorporationFinancials: KeyBankHealthcare: Health Care Service CorporationIndustrials: FedExInformation Technology: Tata Consultancy ServicesMaterials: Freeport-McMoRanTelecommunications: AT&T Inc.Utilities: DTE Energy
The Civic 50 Volunteer Awardees
Volunteer Leader: Hogan Lovells Volunteer Culture: General Mills, Inc. Strategic Volunteering: PwC
Key Statistics and Highlights from The Civic 50 2019 Honorees
Generous giving. On average, The Civic 50 companies donate more than twice as much as US companies: $283,000 for every $10 million in revenue earned as opposed to $130,000 (per CECP’s 2018 Giving in Numbers).
Increasingly sophisticated giving. Grants are getting more integrated. Nearly 50% of The Civic 50 companies make multi-faceted investments where their grants are provided additional support through volunteerism, in-kind goods, or multi-year pledges.
Business function integration. Community involvement programs are becoming increasingly integrated with other business functions. The business functions most commonly supported with community involvement are employee engagement (98%), marketing/PR (94%), and diversity and inclusion (90%).
Board-level involvement. The vast majority (86%) of The Civic 50 companies include community involvement in the agenda of at least one board meeting a year.
Performance reviews and goal setting. Sixty-two percent of The Civic 50 companies include community engagement in performance reviews and 86% include it in department goals.
Public leadership. Sixty-eight percent of The Civic 50 companies take national leadership positions on at least 6 public policy and education issues.
Social impact and outcome measurement. The majority of The Civic 50 companies (66%) measure the outcomes and social impact of their grants as part of regularly implemented data collection process.
Business impact and outcome measurement. The Civic 50 companies also measure the outcomes from integrating their community involvement with other business functions. More than half of the companies measure the outcomes of this integration with employee engagement, marketing/PR, and diversity and inclusion.
The Civic 50 survey is administered by True Impact, a company specializing in helping organizations maximize and measure their social and business value and analyzed by VeraWorks. The survey instrument consists of quantitative and multiple-choice questions that inform The Civic 50 scoring process. The Civic 50 is the only survey and ranking system that exclusively measures corporate involvement in communities. A key findings brief from the survey will be released in summer 2019. For more information, please visit www.civic50.org.
About Points of Light
Points of Light – the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service – mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities across 37 countries and in partnership with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 5 million volunteers in 20 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. For more information, go to www.pointsoflight.org.
About True Impact
True Impact provides web-based tools and consulting support to help organizations measure the social, financial, and environmental return on investment (ROI) of their programs and operations. For more information, visit www.trueimpact.com.
About VeraWorks
VeraWorks is a global consulting firm that helps managers and companies offer employees the opportunity to do societal good through their everyday jobs. For more information, visit www.veraworks.com.
Kathy Najimy, Samantha Harris, Others Join Lineup for 2019 Points of Light Conference
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA (June 6, 2019) – Points of Light has announced additional speakers and entertainers who will join the opening plenary lineup at the 2019 Points of Light Conference, taking place June 18-20 in St. Paul. Guests include Chastity Brown, Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter; Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, Minnesota’s 50th and current lieutenant governor; Samantha Harris, Emmy Award-winning TV host and author of “Your Healthiest Healthy;” Christina Meredith, youth advocate and author of “CinderGirl;” Kathy Najimy, award-winning actress and activist; Nadya Okamoto, founder and executive director of Period. “We are thrilled to welcome Chastity, Peggy, Samantha, Christina, Kathy and Nadya to the Points of Light Conference,” said Natalye Paquin, president and CEO of Points of Light. “Each of them are true changemakers, leading social causes that are transforming our world for the better. By sharing first-hand insights and experiences, they will remind attendees that each of us has the tools to spark change in our communities and start a movement.” Chastity Brown is a Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter with roots in Tennessee. Growing up around country and soul music, she found a passion for music in the gospel church and has been featured on NPR’s “Favorite Sessions,” CMT, American Songwriter, the London Times, Paste Magazine and others. Through her music, Brown will share with attendees her perseverance of the human spirit. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is Minnesota’s 50th lieutenant governor, assuming office in January 2019. A former state representative and community organizer, her wealth of experience includes building coalitions and advocating for children and families. Flanagan will welcome attendees to Minnesota, sharing why the region is the perfect host for the Points of Light Conference. Samantha Harris is an Emmy Award-winning TV host, breast cancer survivor and the author of “Your Healthiest Healthy.” With her husband Michael, she also founded the online community Gotta Make Lemonade to inspire positivity in the face of adversity. The former co-host of “Dancing with the Stars” and “Entertainment Tonight” will inspire attendees with her genuine warmth and unflappable positivity. Christina Meredith is a youth advocate and the author of “CinderGirl: My Journey Out of the Ashes to a Life of Hope,” which tells her inspiring life story of surviving abuse, trauma, poverty and homelessness to forge a life committed to helping others. She is also the founder of The Christina Meredith Foundation, a former Miss California, and currently serves in the U.S. Army. Meredith’s commitment to never giving up will help attendees overcome their own obstacles to achieve their highest goals. Kathy Najimy is best known for her work in more than 30 films including the blockbusters “Sister Act” and “Hocus Pocus,” and as an advocate on the frontline of social causes including #MeToo and Time’s Up. A leader on issues ranging from increasing cancer research to LGBTQ rights, Najimy was awarded the PETA Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2000 and named Ms. Magazine Woman of the Year in 2004. With her advocacy work spanning more than 30 years, Najimy will encourage attendees to work together to make a difference in the world.
Nadya Okamoto is the executive director and founder of Period, the largest youth-run NGO in women’s health, and member of InStyle Magazine’s “Badass 50 Women Who Are Changing the World” list. She also works with influential brands to authentically engage Gen Zers as the chief brand officer of JUV Consulting. As a breakthrough social entrepreneur, Okamoto will give attendees insight into a generation that comprises more than a quarter of the world’s population and nearly half of the total media audience. Okamoto has been recognized as a L’Oreal Woman of Worth and a Daily Point of Light. Brown, Flanagan, Harris, Meredith, Najimy and Okamoto join a dynamic group of speakers which includes Wade Davis, activist and former NFL player; Lindsay Peoples Wagner, Teen Vogue editor-in-chief; and John Quiñones, ABC News correspondent and creator and host of “What Would You Do?” Each year the Points of Light Conference convenes the greatest leaders of the social sector, providing the singular opportunity for thousands to come together to collaborate and ensure the social sector continues to grow and innovate in this rapidly changing world. This year’s event will challenge attendees to not only ask “how do we get more people to volunteer to make change,” but also, “how can we create a society where it is easy for every individual to take action to accelerate change within their community around the world?” Registration is open for the 2019 Points of Light Conference. More information on the agenda, speakers, forums and workshops can be found at www.pointsoflightconference.org.
About the Points of Light Conference
The Points of Light Conference, co-hosted in 2019 with HandsOn Twin Cities, is the world’s largest service-related convening. Points of Light inspires, equips and mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities across 37 countries and in partnership with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 5 million volunteers in 20 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. For more information, go to www.pointsoflight.org.
Points of Light and The Starbucks Foundation Expand Innovative Service Model in 20 Cities Across the United States
ATLANTA (May 28, 2019) – Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, and The Starbucks Foundation announce the expansion of The Starbucks Foundation Service Fellows Program, an innovative service model inspired by national service.
“The Starbucks Foundation Service Fellows program is a promising model that provides companies with a new way to think about the role they can play in promoting and enabling service opportunities,” says Natalye Paquin, president and CEO of Points of Light.
Following a successful six-month pilot last year, the full-scale program will expand to 7 new markets, reaching 20 cities and engaging 100 Starbucks partners (employees). The program is designed to provide needed day-to-day support to local nonprofit organizations while providing an opportunity for Starbucks partners to pursue their personal passion to get involved in their communities.
“The Starbucks Foundation Service Fellows program is a promising model that provides companies with a new way to think about the role they can play in promoting and enabling service opportunities,” says Natalye Paquin, president and CEO of Points of Light. “We believe that by partnering together, the Service Fellows will significantly enhance the capacity of nonprofit organizations to effectively leverage human capital to meet their missions. We are excited to see this program grow and look forward to supporting fellows as they unlock their own potential to create meaningful change through service.”
Points of Light received a $3.5 million grant from The Starbucks Foundation to expand the infrastructure and impact of The Starbucks Foundation Service Fellows program by 2020, which includes direct support of Points of Light’s commitment to strengthen the capacity of the nonprofit sector through resources, programs and partnerships.
The Starbucks Foundation will fund support for local nonprofits affiliated with the Points of Light Global Network. As part of this service model, Points of Light will match the 100 fellows with their local network member. During their service term, the fellows will work part-time for Points of Light, expanding the capacity of the local nonprofit and their community partners to meet their missions, while continuing to work part-time at Starbucks. This experience plays an important role in exposing the Fellows to future civic and community engagement opportunities, while expanding their professional skills and experiences.
“Each Starbucks store is part of a community, and we’re committed to strengthening the neighborhoods we serve,” says Virginia Tenpenny, executive director of The Starbucks Foundation. “We believe service goes hand in hand with our mission to inspire and nurture the human spirit, one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time. This program is an evolution of Starbucks long-standing commitment to serving our communities, year-round.”
Following an application process that kicked off this week, the first group of 50 Starbucks partners across 20 cities will be selected as Service Fellows, to begin in September with sector education and organizational onboarding, and their service terms will run from October 2019 through March 2020. The second group of Service Fellows will serve April through October 2020.
Members of the Points of Light Global Network that will host Service Fellows are: Hands On Atlanta, HandsOn Bay Area, HandsOn Birmingham, Boston Cares, HandsOn Broward, Chicago Cares, VolunteerNow, Spark the Change Colorado, Volunteer Fairfax, Volunteer Houston, HandsOn Miami, Hands On Nashville, New York Cares, HandsOn New Orleans, United Way of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey, HandsOn Twin Cities, HandsOn Greater Phoenix, HandsOn San Diego, Seattle Works, United Way of King County, and United Way of Greater St. Louis, as well as Points of Light headquarters in Atlanta.
To learn more about the impact of The Starbucks Foundation Service Fellows program, visit the Points of Light blog or Starbucks Stories for impact stories.
About Points of Light
Points of Light – the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service – mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities across 37 countries and in partnership with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 5 million volunteers in 20 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. For more information, go to www.pointsoflight.org.
About The Starbucks Foundation
Established in 1997, The Starbucks Foundation strengthens communities around the world by advancing opportunities for youth, veterans, refugees and coffee, tea and cocoa farmers and their families, supporting communities affected by disaster, and promoting civic engagement. The Starbucks Foundation is a U.S. 501 (c)(3) charitable organization under U.S. law, and receives funding primarily from Starbucks Corporation and private donations. Learn more at https://www.starbucks.com/responsibility/community/starbucks-foundation.
Disney and Points of Light Announce National Search for the “Volunteer Family of the Year” in Honor of Thriving Volunteer Movement
ATLANTA (May 22, 2019) – Disney and Points of Light announced the national search for the Volunteer Family of the Year. Nonprofits and schools registered for the Disney Family Volunteering Reward Program can nominate an exceptional volunteer family for this contest. Disney and Points of Light have inspired more than 2 million hours of service through the Disney Family Volunteering Reward Program, which rewards eligible U.S. nonprofits and schools for hosting family-friendly volunteer projects with Disney Parks tickets.
Since the program launched in January 2018, more than 86,000 families have volunteered and more than 7,000 nonprofits and schools have participated, including more than 1,000 that had never hosted family-friendly volunteer projects before.
“Engaging families in service – especially young families – is the path to a life-long commitment to being civically engaged,” said Natalye Paquin, president and CEO, Points of Light. “This collaboration with Disney has been transformational, and we’re excited to continue this celebration and honor families and organizations who share this commitment to giving back.”
“We believe that when families play, explore, learn, and work together, the scene is set for magical memories that last a lifetime,” said Bob Chapek, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. “Family volunteering deepens bonds, and strengthens communities — and with a little pixie dust in the form of a visit to our parks, this program has made a significant difference.”
Points of Light and Disney have had a long-standing relationship and commitment to family volunteerism. Last year, Points of Light released the “Global Volunteerism Journey Report,” underwritten by The Walt Disney Company, a first-of-its-kind study that examines the similarities and differences in family volunteering from five countries around the world. Disney has also been a long-time sponsor of Family Volunteer Day, an annual day of service that takes place each year in November. This year, the family chosen as the Volunteer Family of the Year will be recognized and invited to participate in a unique family service project at Walt Disney World Resort for Family Volunteer Day.
To learn more about how your nonprofit or school can participate in the Disney Family Volunteering Reward Program, visit www.pointsoflight.org/disneyrewards.
*** NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter contest between 5/16/19 at 9:00 a.m. EDT and 6/20/19 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S., D.C., and Puerto Rico. Limit 1 nomination per nonprofit organization/school. There is 1 prize available to be won by a nominated family (ARV: $10,000), and 5 grants to be won by nominating non-profits/schools totaling $30,000. WINNING FAMILY MUST TRAVEL TO WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT® IN FLORIDA ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 23, 2019. See Official Rules for full details on how to enter, eligibility requirements, prize descriptions and limitations. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: Points of Light, 600 Means Street, Suite 210, Atlanta, GA 30318.
About Points of Light
Points of Light – the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service – mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities across 37 countries and in partnership with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 5 million volunteers in 20 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. For more information, go to www.pointsoflight.org.
About Disney Parks, Experiences and Products
Disney Parks, Experiences and Products brings the magic of Disney into the daily lives of families and fans around the world to create magical memories that last a lifetime.
When Walt Disney opened Disneyland in Anaheim, California on July 17, 1955, he created a unique destination built around storytelling and immersive experiences, ushering in a new era of family entertainment. More than sixty years later, Disney has grown into one of the world’s leading providers of family travel and leisure experiences, with iconic businesses including six resort destinations with 12 theme parks and 52 resorts in the United States, Europe, and Asia with approximately 160,000 cast members; a top-rated cruise line with four ships and plans for three more to be completed in 2021, 2022, and 2023; a luxurious family beach resort in Hawaii; a popular vacation ownership program; and an award-winning guided family adventure business. Disney’s global consumer products operations include the world’s leading licensing business; the world’s largest children’s print publisher; the world’s largest games licensor across all platforms; more than 200 Disney store locations around the world; and the shopDisney e-commerce platform.
These experiences are created by Disney Imagineers, the creative force behind experiences found in Disney theme parks, resort hotels, cruise ships, and consumer products—including books, games, and merchandise.
Points of Light Announces Group of Dynamic Speakers for the 2019 Points of Light Conference
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA (May 14, 2019) – Points of Light has announced a slate of dynamic speakers who will be featured in the opening plenary, Youth Summit and closing session at the 2019 Points of Light Conference, taking place June 18-20 in St. Paul. Speakers include Wade Davis, former NFL player and activist; Lindsay Peoples Wagner, Teen Vogue editor-in-chief; and John Quiñones, ABC News correspondent and creator and host of “What Would You Do?”
“Our attendees have a shared commitment to making a difference in solving our world’s most persistent problems, and creating stronger communities and a more just society,” said Points of Light president and CEO, Natalye Paquin. “This dynamic group of influential speakers will help inspire them to foster new ideas and look within themselves to create solutions that spark meaningful change.”
The 2019 Points of Light Conference, co-hosted with HandsOn Twin Cities, is the world’s largest service-related convening, bringing together nonprofit, government, business and civic leaders to gain and share the knowledge, resources and connections needed to galvanize the power of people to create change globally.
“We are excited to welcome Wade, Lindsay and John as speakers at the 2019 Points of Light Conference,” says Natalye Paquin, president and CEO of Points of Light. “Our attendees have a shared commitment to making a difference in solving our world’s most persistent problems, and creating stronger communities and a more just society. This dynamic group of influential speakers will help inspire them to foster new ideas and look within themselves to create solutions that spark meaningful change.”
Joining the opening plenary lineup is former NFL cornerback Wade Davis, a leader on issues of equity, access and inclusion. In addition to consulting professional sports leagues on sexism, racism and homophobia, Davis coaches senior leaders and helps leading organizations build an inclusive corporate culture.
The three-day conference will include a Youth Summit with keynote speaker Lindsay Peoples Wagner, editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue. Peoples Wagner will detail her road to success, from interning at Teen Vogue to being named the youngest black editor-in-chief in the publication’s history less than a decade later, helping to inspire the next generation of changemakers. The National Youth Leadership Council will convene young people from across the Twin Cities for the Youth Summit, an educational, service-oriented opportunity during which youth will design projects and plans of action to address social issues that matter to them. Teams of youth age 11-18 will pitch their ideas to a multi-generational group of judges to earn funds to bring their projects from concept to reality.
John Quiñones, host of ABC’s “What Would You Do?,” will speak during the conference’s closing session. Quiñones will share details of his remarkable journey from migrant farm worker to more than 30 years at ABC News and the anchor desk at “20/20” and “Primetime.” Attendees will leave feeling uplifted and inspired as he delivers a powerful message of believing in one’s self, evoking the spirit of the Civic Century, this year’s Points of Light Conference theme, as we work to unlock the light within us to stand up and say, “I can help.”
“It’s an honor to have the most important voices in volunteerism and community service in St. Paul,” says Tracy Nielsen, executive director of HandsOn Twin Cities, “From the youth participation to the service projects to national speakers, the Twin Cities will be the center of the volunteerism world this June.”
Each year the Points of Light Conference convenes the greatest leaders of the social sector, providing the singular opportunity for thousands to come together to collaborate and ensure the social sector continues to grow and innovate in this rapidly changing world. This year’s event will challenge attendees to not only ask “how do we get more people to volunteer to make change,” but also, “how can we create a society where it is easy for every individual to take action to accelerate change within their community around the world?”
Registration is open for the 2019 Points of Light Conference. More information on the agenda, speakers, forums and workshops can be found at www.pointsoflightconference.org.
About the Points of Light Conference
The Points of Light Conference, co-hosted in 2019 with HandsOn Twin Cities, is the world’s largest service-related convening. Points of Light inspires, equips and mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities across 37 countries and in partnership with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 5 million volunteers in 20 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. For more information, go to www.pointsoflight.org.
Points of Light Announces Additions to Senior Leadership Team
ATLANTA (April 25, 2019) — Points of Light announced today the appointments of Robert E. Herrera to the role of chief financial officer and Rick Bell to vice president, corporate partnerships. Herrera oversees the development and implementation of the organization’s financial management strategy. Bell will broaden and deepen funding support from corporate partners, national and community foundations, and pursue annual and capacity-building revenue goals.
“We are delighted to welcome Robert and Rick to the Points of Light family. Both are servant leaders with strong track records of success,” said Points of Light president and CEO, Natalye Paquin. “Robert brings extensive financial, operational and strategic experience and is an invaluable addition to our leadership team. Rick’s expertise in fundraising will help fuel our organization’s capacity to grow.”
“We are delighted to welcome Robert and Rick to the Points of Light family. Both are servant leaders with strong track records of success,” said Points of Light president and CEO, Natalye Paquin. “Robert brings extensive financial, operational and strategic experience and is an invaluable addition to our leadership team. Rick’s expertise in fundraising will help fuel our organization’s capacity to grow.”
An accomplished financial manager, Herrera brings more than 25 years of nonprofit financial management expertise with operating budgets ranging from $4 million to $350 million, including stops at Inspiritus, Lutheran Services of Florida, Families First and Habitat for Humanity International. Most recently, Robert served as the chief financial and administrative officer at Inspiritus and was responsible for overseeing major functions of the organization, managing cross-functional teams and directors, and collaborated with the CEO and board of directors to execute Inspiritus’ organizational strategy.
“Throughout my entire career of 25 years, I have worked, partnered and volunteered with nonprofit organizations where there was a mission and cause connection due to their high positive impact,” said Herrera. “I am honored and tremendously excited to join Points of Light, and look forward to many years in partnership, where together we will help move forward the mission of Points of Light around our world.”
Bell is a dynamic sales and marketing leader with over 19 years of experience leading development initiatives at organizations including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Arthritis Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and American Diabetes Association. Prior to Points of Light, Bell served as the national director, corporate development for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation where he led a team of 4 who were responsible for $12 million in corporate development revenue through sponsorship and cause-marketing campaigns.
“The power of volunteerism is a critical part of society that I have had the pleasure of experiencing throughout my career,” said Bell. “I am excited to join Points of Light to help spread this important message and to further engage corporate partners to fulfill our mission.”
About Points of Light
Points of Light – the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service – mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities across 37 countries and in partnership with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 5 million volunteers in 20 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. For more information, go to www.pointsoflight.org.
Points of Light Celebrates National Volunteer Week with a Focus on Recognizing Individuals Who Make a Difference
ATLANTA (April 8, 2019) — Points of Light, in partnership with The UPS Foundation and TEGNA, celebrates National Volunteer Week, April 7-13, 2019, through volunteer recognition and service events around the country. Each year, National Volunteer Week is celebration of the power of volunteers to tackle society’s greatest challenges, to build stronger communities and be a force that transforms the world.
“In today’s society, as people strive to lead lives that reflect their values, doing good comes in many forms. We recognize and celebrate them all. National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to shine a light on people who are creating positive change in their communities.”
“National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to shine a light on people who are creating positive change in their communities,” says Natalye Paquin, president and CEO of Points of Light. “It is also an opportunity to inspire others to lead and lend support to the causes they care about. In today’s society, as people strive to lead lives that reflect their values, doing good comes in many forms. We recognize and celebrate them all.”
Through recognition programs such as the President’s Volunteer Service Award and the Daily Point of Light Award, Points of Light celebrates volunteers and the impact of volunteer service in communities across the country. Recognizing and sharing stories about individuals who are doing good serves to inspire others to take action and realize their own potential to make a difference.
With support from UPS® and media partner TEGNA, a Points of Light PSA featuring Natalye Paquin will be broadcast during National Volunteer Week to inspire volunteerism and encourage individuals to nominate outstanding volunteers for the Daily Point of Light Award. Additionally, four inspiring video stories featuring Daily Point of Light honorees will be shared through TEGNA’s national HeartThreads channel on Facebook.
“Volunteering has the power to uplift individuals and entire communities,” said Eduardo Martinez, president of The UPS Foundation and UPS chief diversity and inclusion officer. “We committed to achieving 20 million volunteer hours by the end of 2020, and we are on track to achieve our goal. By bringing our strengths and our passion for serving others into action, and by supporting organizations such as Points of Light, we are able to amplify the results.”
During National Volunteer Week, Points of Light will also recognize five individuals for their extraordinary commitment to service. These volunteers join a community of nearly 6,500 Daily Point of Light Award honorees, who show that every action, no matter how small, makes a difference.
Hannah Dehrandunwala created Transfernation, a platform that allows companies and corporate hospitality groups to donate untouched extra food, providing healthy, fresh options to those in need of food assistance. To date, Transfernation has rescued 530,000 pounds of food and provided 510,000 meals to those without reliable access to food sources.
Linda Horne is a retired nurse who has served more than 10 years as a volunteer with the Health Wagon, a nonprofit that provides free medical care for patients in need. She also volunteers her time for health fairs, ensuring each patient and their family has a meal to eat while in attendance.
Tedman Chai leads a community service organization that has collectively volunteered more than 1,000 hours in South and East San Jose, California. He also founded the Youth Policy Alliance, helping students become civically active and contribute to the community through long-term projects;
Alicia White is the founder of Project Petals, an organization that works to improve under-resourced communities in New York City by improving their environment and helping young people become leaders through educational programs. Her organization has grown to help communities and youth in Brooklyn, Harlem, the Bronx, and internationally in Uganda.
Terry Lauerman spends 15 to 20 hours each week at Safe Haven Pet Sanctuary in Green Bay, Wisconsin, volunteering Tuesday to Saturday. He brushes all of the cats, spending extra time socializing with the shy ones, and slowly learns and communicates their likes and dislikes to other volunteers. After photos of Terry napping with shelter cats went viral last fall, the shelter received more than $20,000 in donations in a single day.
To nominate a volunteer making a difference for a Daily Point of Light Award, visit www.pointsoflight.org. Individuals interested in finding volunteer opportunities or planning a service project in their local community can visit www.allforgood.org.
About Points of Light
Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities across 37 countries and in partnership with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 5 million volunteers in 20 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people where it’s needed most. For more information, visit www.pointsoflight.org.
About The UPS Foundation
UPS (NYSE: UPS) is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including transporting packages and freight; facilitating international trade, and deploying advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. Since its founding in 1907, UPS has built a legacy as a caring and responsible corporate citizen, supporting programs that provide long-term solutions to community needs. Founded in 1951, The UPS Foundation leads its global citizenship programs and is responsible for facilitating community involvement to local, national, and global communities. In 2018, UPS and its employees, active and retired, invested more than $114.9 million in charitable giving around the world. The UPS Foundation can be found on the web at UPS.com/Foundation and @UPS_Foundation on Twitter. To get UPS news direct, follow @UPS_News on Twitter.
About TEGNA
TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) is an innovative media company that serves the greater good of our communities. With 49 television stations and two radio stations in 41 markets, TEGNA delivers relevant content and information to consumers across platforms. It is the largest owner of top 4 affiliates in the top 25 markets, reaching one-third of all television households nationwide. Each month, TEGNA reaches 50 million adults on-air and approximately 35 million across its digital platforms. TEGNA has been consistently honored with the industry’s top awards, including Edward R. Murrow, George Polk, Alfred I. DuPont and Emmy Awards. TEGNA also delivers innovative and unparalleled solutions for advertisers through TEGNA Marketing Solutions (TMS). TMS is a one-stop shop that helps businesses thrive through an unmatched suite of services and solutions that reach consumers across television, email, social and over-the-top (OTT) platforms, including Premion, TEGNA’s OTT advertising service. Across platforms, TEGNA tells empowering stories, conducts impactful investigations and delivers innovative marketing solutions. For more information, visit www.TEGNA.com.
Statement from Natalye Paquin, Points of Light President and CEO, in Honor of Harris Wofford
“Harris Wofford’s life was the very definition of what we at Points of Light hold up and support through our mission, a life that includes service to others. His dear friend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, ‘Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a better person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.’ A lifelong advocate for civil rights, national service and volunteering, Sen. Wofford was an advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and, alongside Rep. John Lewis, authored the act establishing MLK Day as a day of service – a day on, not a day off. He served as special assistant for civil rights under President John F. Kennedy, played a key role in establishing the Peace Corps, and later helped to establish and lead the Corporation for National Service and expand AmeriCorps.
“Harris Wofford’s life was the very definition of what we at Points of Light hold up and support through our mission, a life that includes service to others.”
“Sen. Wofford’s tireless commitment to improving the world through acts of service inspired millions. He was one of the earliest and most steadfast supporters of Points of Light, and we have always been privileged to call him a valued advisor and a friend. At the 2015 Points of Light Tribute Awards, we honored Sen. Wofford with the George W. Romney Public Service Award for his lifetime of leadership and exemplary public service. He believed in service as a uniting force for good, and showed us that every individual has the power to create change. Few individuals in American history have made a greater contribution to the service movement in our country and the world.”
About Points of Light
Points of Light – the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service – mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities and partnerships with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 5 million volunteers in 20 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. For more information, go to www.pointsoflight.org.
Points of Light Welcomes Five New Members to Board of Directors
ATLANTA (Jan. 17, 2019) – Points of Light is pleased to announce the addition of five leaders to its board of directors. Each individual brings an enduring commitment to service, and will apply their expertise to Points of Light’s mission to inspire, equip and mobilize people to take action that creates change in communities around the world.
“All five of our new board members share our vision to inspire future generations to carry forward the commitment to give back,” said Natalye Paquin, president and CEO of Points of Light.
The newly appointed members of the Points of Light board of directors are:
Mary Kate Cary, a professional writer and filmmaker who served as a White House speechwriter for President George H.W. Bush from 1989 to early 1992, helping to write more than 100 presidential addresses. Mary Kate continues to write for a variety of national political, corporate and nonprofit leaders, and is currently a senior fellow at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center for Public Affairs;
Heidi Magyar, director of corporate giving at General Motors, who oversees integrated corporate giving and employee volunteerism initiatives. In 2015, Heidi was appointed as a commissioner by the governor of Michigan to the Michigan Community Service Commission, which uses service as a strategy to address the state’s most pressing issues and empowers volunteers to strengthen communities;
Brenda Robinson, entertainment attorney, philanthropist and partner in the law firm of Swanson Martin & Bell LLP in Chicago. Throughout her career, Brenda has provided legal counsel to a variety of clients in the music, film, television and performing arts industries, and she is a member of the Recording Academy and the Sundance Institute;
Suzanne Spero, executive director of The MCJ Amelior Foundation, a family foundation assisting entities that encourage mentoring relationships, create unique entrepreneurial opportunities, and promote national and local participation in voluntary community programs and services. Suzanne is co-founder of Jersey Cares, a Points of Light affiliate, which organizes teams of socially-minded individuals for community service projects;
Eric Tanenblatt, global chair of public policy and regulation at Dentons, the world’s largest law firm, who also leads the firm’s U.S. public policy practice. Eric was nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve on the board of directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service, serving from 2008 until 2013. He was head of congressional and intergovernmental affairs at the Peace Corps during President George H.W. Bush’s administration, and was the founder and chairman of Hands on Georgia, a statewide organization to promote volunteerism.
“All five of our new board members share our vision to inspire future generations to carry forward the commitment to give back,” said Natalye Paquin, president and CEO of Points of Light. “This dynamic group of leaders provide a perfect complement to our current board. We look forward to leveraging their skills and energy in our work.”
The new cohort of board members began their service on Jan. 1, 2019, and will serve a three-year term.
ABOUT POINTS OF LIGHT
Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities across 37 countries and in partnership with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 5 million volunteers in 20 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people where it’s needed most. For more information, visit www.pointsoflight.org.
Points of Light Civic Accelerator Invests $100,000 in Two Startups Advancing Financial Resilience
ATLANTA(Jan. 7, 2019) – The Points of Light Civic Accelerator announced today that it will invest $50,000 each in FundingU, a for-profit enterprise, and Girls Going Global, a nonprofit enterprise. Both ventures are addressing the growing gap in financial resilience across the country, and as a first for the program, are both based in the same city, Atlanta.
FundingU offers college completion loans to academically successful students who can’t access “last gap” bank loans due to low credit scores or lack of a co-signer. “We are humbled to be the recipient of this peer investment,” said Jeannie Tarkenton, founder of FundingU.
The Civic Accelerator is the first accelerator and investment fund in the country focused on civic ventures – for-profit and nonprofit startups that solve social problems by tapping into human capital as part of the solution. The goal of the accelerator is to equip each startup to seek investments and scale their social innovations.
The investment came at the end of the Civic Accelerator’s Fall 2018 cohort, its 12th bootcamp-style program. The Fall 2018 program convened 10 startups over 10 weeks for three in-person, week-long sessions in Atlanta, Chicago and Philadelphia, in addition to an in-depth virtual curriculum. Using vetted investment criteria, the program peer participants themselves selected the two ventures that received $50,000 investments.
FundingU offers college completion loans to academically successful students who can’t access “last gap” bank loans due to low credit scores or lack of a co-signer. “We are humbled to be the recipient of this peer investment,” said Jeannie Tarkenton, founder of FundingU. “The award will kick off our 2019 loan fund in which investments are wholly used to provide well-priced loans to low- and moderate-income college students who have been rejected for last-gap bank financing. The funding will support 7-10 students who are doing well in school and need only about $6,000 to remove the last financial barrier to achieving a four-year degree to help build their financial resilience.”
Girls Going Global empowers underserved girls, ages 13-17, by providing the tools, mentorship and educational experiences to be global citizens. “Girls Going Global is excited to have been selected by our peers for this investment,” said Martice Sutton, founder of Girls Going Global. “Our experience in the Civic Accelerator has allowed us to experiment with our revenue model and test our assumptions for scale. With this investment, we will build strategic partnerships with school systems and corporations to expand our reach to diverse teen girls who will benefit most from the learning and exposure to a global experience they would otherwise not be able to access.”
Now in its sixth year, the Civic Accelerator has committed $1,150,000 in investment and has paired 145 startup teams with more than 150 mentors, partners and strategic advisors. The graduated teams have generated more than $94 million in revenue to date, and have reached more than 18.7 million individuals as they solve the most critical social problems facing communities across the country. More information about the Civic Accelerator’s reach and results can be found in its six-year Impact Report, which covers 2012-2018 programming.
“It’s inspiring to work with our corporate partners and mentors to help accelerate these entrepreneurs, whose ventures build financial resilience,” said Ayesha Khanna, founder of the Civic Accelerator. “This is a critical issue in the United States, with 42 percent of households unable to afford a monthly budget of basic services such as food, housing, transportation and childcare, requiring families to make difficult trade-offs. More than half of Americans have little or no savings and are not able to invest in their future, let alone withstand financial shock. Our ventures provide a wide range of solutions from financial education and wealth creation, to access to affordable credit and banking services for underserved and vulnerable populations. We need these ventures to scale their bold solutions so that all can succeed in the innovation economy.”
The gradated ventures in the Fall 2018 cohort are:
DACA Time Nonprofit (Columbus, Ohio) – makes immigration paperwork easier, cheaper and more accurate.
FundingU For-profit (Atlanta) – offers college completion loans to academically successful students who can’t access “last gap” bank loans due to low credit scores or lack of a co-signer.
Girls Going Global Nonprofit (Atlanta) – empowers underserved girls, ages 13-17, by providing the tools, mentorship and educational experiences to be global citizens.
Holberg Financial For-profit (Chicago) – helps employees reach their financial goals and reduce financial stress through health benefits companies offer to their employees.
Hopeworks Nonprofit (Camden, New Jersey) – creates technology solutions for businesses that provide opportunities and pathways to success for youth.
Medean For-profit (Chicago) – provides guidance and incentives for millennials to improve their financial well-being through a budgeting app using gamification and peer comparison.
Next Steps Network Nonprofit (Louisville, Kentucky) – is changing the market system of how manufactured homes are built, sold and financed, while preparing and supporting homebuyers.
Piecewise For-profit (New York) – helps student loan borrowers pay down their debt based on data generated by financial behavior.
Solve For-profit (Chicago) – makes it easier for community-based organizations to connect individuals to jobs and social services.
Tassel Turn Nonprofit (Chicago) – matches youth in foster care to personalized, evidence-informed, online education coaching to help them achieve economic independence.
About Points of Light
Points of Light – the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service – mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities across 37 countries and in partnership with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 5 million volunteers in 20 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. For more information, go to www.pointsoflight.org.
About the Points of Light Civic Accelerator
The Points of Light Civic Accelerator is the first accelerator program and investment fund in the country focused on civic ventures – for-profit and nonprofit startups that include people as part of the solution to critical social problems. The three-month, boot camp-style program convenes 10-15 teams in person and online with the goal of equipping each startup to seek investments and scale their social innovation. CivicX was launched in 2012, with founding support from PwC Charitable Foundation and Starbucks Foundation, and in partnership with Village Capital. In addition, we receive support from Capital One, Dentons, Singing for Change and official hotel sponsor Hilton. Visit cvcx.org for more information or follow the accelerator on Twitter at @civicacceleratr and across social media at #CIVICX.
