Top 50 Companies Donate More than $1.5 Billion and Engage Employees in 6.5 Million Hours of Volunteering
Points of Light, a nonpartisan, global nonprofit organization that inspires, equips and mobilizes millions of people to take action that changes the world, today announced The Civic 50 honorees of 2024. Since 2012, The Civic 50 program has recognized the 50 most community-minded companies in the nation and has become the preeminent corporate social impact recognition program.
For the twelfth year, the top 50 companies recognized are leading the way in employee volunteering and community investment. Combined, the companies have engaged more than 450,000 employees to volunteer more than 6.5 million hours in their communities. In external volunteering, that’s twice the average for U.S. companies not in The Civic 50 (40% compared to 20%) [1].
In a time when the formal volunteering rate in the U.S. dropped 7 percentage points and the U.S. surgeon general has declared a loneliness epidemic, increasing the rate of individuals volunteering is critical not only to the health of communities but also individuals’ social connectedness and mental well-being. Ninety percent of this year’s honoree companies have a formal strategy to leverage community engagement to promote health and wellbeing among employees in coordination with their HR department.
Additionally, companies recognized through The Civic 50 contribute over five times the cash and in-kind donations to charitable causes compared to the average U.S. company, as a percentage of revenue (.69% versus .12%) [1]. Together, these leading organizations have donated more than $1.5 billion in financial resources and over $2.6 billion in in-kind goods and services to support charitable causes.
“Companies play a vital role in communities by creating opportunities to strengthen and connect their community members,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO, Points of Light. “The Civic 50 honorees demonstrate the many ways business can integrate social impact work throughout their business practices and employee engagement. They show us how to create vibrant, thriving communities. Congratulations to all the 2024 honorees.”
The Civic 50 Honorees of 2024 are:
Adobe Inc., Aflac, Aramark, Ares Management, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Blue Shield of California, Caesars Entertainment, Capital One,
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., Citi, Comcast NBCUniversal, Comerica Bank, CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Insurer, Delta Air Lines, Dow, Inc., DTE Energy, Elevance Health, Entergy Corporation, Freeport-McMoRan, General Mills, Inc., Hasbro, Inc.
Health Care Service Corporation, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, John Deere, Kellanova, KeyBank, KPMG LLP, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Old National Bank, PDS Health, Pacific Life, PIMCO, Point32Health, Prudential Financial, Inc., Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., RTX, Standard Chartered Bank, Steelcase, Subaru of America, Inc., Tapestry, Inc., Tata Consultancy Services, TEGNA, The Hershey Company, Toyota North America, UnitedHealth Group, Unum Group, UPS, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Wynn Resorts, Limited.
“Delta Air Lines is honored to be recognized by Points of Light as one of the top community-minded companies in America as a 2024 Sector Leader and honoree of The Civic 50. Giving back has been core to the Delta culture for nearly 100 years, and our Delta employees and volunteers are a driving force for positive change in communities where we live, work and serve. At Delta, we are committed to connecting communities and caring for the planet and the people within it.” Tad Hutcheson, Managing Director of Community Engagement, Delta Air Lines
“The Civic 50 inspires organizations to use their financial and social capital to mobilize efforts that help drive positive societal impact,” said Brandee McHale, Head of Community Investing & Development, Citi and President, Citi Foundation. “At Citi, we see our 12 years of inclusion on this list as a reflection not just of the positive impact that we’ve had on the communities we serve, but of the importance of leveraging the breadth of the firm’s capabilities and people to help put lasting solutions on the map.”
The Civic 50 Sector Leaders & Volunteer Award
Financial Sector Leader: KeyBank
Information Technology Sector Leader: Tata Consultancy Services
Healthcare Sector Leader: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Industrials Sector Leader: Delta Air Lines
Utilities Sector Leader: Entergy Corporation
Consumer Staples Sector Leader: The Hershey Company
Materials Sector Leader: Dow, Inc.
Consumer Discretionary Sector Leader: Tapestry, Inc.
Telecommunications Sector Leader: TEGNA
Volunteer Leader Award: The Hershey Company – This award recognizes the company for having the leading volunteering culture and embracing volunteerism as a priority for supporting and collaborating with their community.
Strategic Volunteering Award: PDS Health – This award recognizes the company for their strategic efforts to drive impact by engaging employees through pro bono and skills-based and volunteer initiatives.
“Hershey is committed to business excellence, long-term resilience and making a positive impact for the planet and people,” said Leigh Horner, chief sustainability officer for The Hershey Company. “Our philanthropic giving programs and employee volunteerism are key pillars of the strong culture that enables us to delight consumers with our beloved snacking brands.”
OnJuly 16 at 1 pm ET, Points of Light will host a special
The Civic 50 program creates a roadmap for companies committed to using their time, talent and resources to drive social impact in their business and communities. Honorees are companies with annual U.S. revenues of at least $1 billion and are selected based on four dimensions of their corporate citizenship and social impact programs: investment of resources and volunteerism, integration across business functions, institutionalization through policies and systems, and impact measurement.
The Civic 50 survey is administered byTrue Impact, and the results are analyzed byVeraWorks. The survey instrument consists of quantitative and multiple-choice questions that inform the scoring process. The Civic 50 is the only survey and ranking system that exclusively measures corporate community engagement. To learn more about The Civic 50, visitpointsoflight.org/civic50surveyor email[email protected]
[1], [2] US data from Giving in Numbers, 2023 by CECP.
About Points of Light
Points of Light is a nonpartisan, global nonprofit organization that inspires, equips and mobilizes millions of people to take action that changes the world. We envision a world in which every individual discovers the power to make a difference, creating healthy communities in vibrant, participatory societies. Through 145 affiliates across 39 countries, and in partnership with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 3.7 million people in 16.7 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. For more information, visit pointsoflight.org.
The 6th Annual George H.W. Bush Points of Light Awards to Celebrate Exceptional Individuals Driving Positive Change
The transformative power of voluntary service will take center stage as The George H.W. Bush Points of Light Awards celebrates its sixth year honoring individuals who make a significant impact through contributions to community and expanding opportunities for others. The event, chaired by Marie and Andy Unanue, will take place on October 23, 2024, at The Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C. This night will honor exceptional individuals who have demonstrated remarkable commitment to their communities and beyond:
Patrick Dempsey: Dempsey is a Screen Actors Guild Award winner and a Golden Globe nominee best known for his portrayal of Dr. Derek Shepherd on the hit ABC series, Grey’s Anatomy. He is being honored for his work as Founder of the Dempsey Center which helps make life better for people impacted by cancer through integrative support services—all at no cost.
Arthur M. Blank: Blank is best known as co-founder of The Home Depot, Blank is a tireless advocate of using purpose and profit hand-in-hand to benefit the communities around him, most notably through the Blank Family Foundation, which in 2023, reached $1B in giving.
Ashley Brown: Brown founded Selfless Love Foundation. The nonprofit is dedicated to improving the child welfare system and creating opportunities for more foster children to find their forever families and thrive in adulthood.
“Points of Light celebrates those who are committed to transforming the lives of others through service so every person may see the possibilities within themselves to be a point of light,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO, Points of Light. “This year’s honorees are meeting critical human needs in local communities. Their own personal experiences have driven their passion and commitment to the causes they hold dear, lighting a path for others. We congratulate them and look forward to celebrating Patrick, Arthur and Ashley this October.”
Last year’s honorees included Mike Love and Jacquelyne Love, Condoleezza Rice, Robert F. Smith, and Rebecca and Christyn Taylor. Honorees from 2022 included José Andrés and Maurice R. “Hank” Greenberg. In 2021, Hugh Evans, Francine A. LeFrak, Dr. Ala Stanford, and Bryan Stevenson were honored. Hamdi Ulukaya, Captain Sir Thomas Moore, Esha and Shreyaa Venkat, and Marc and Lynne Benioff were honored in 2020. And in 2019, inaugural honorees included Maria Rose Belding and Khloe Thompson.
If you or your company are interested in getting involved with this event to help Points of Light honor these individuals and inspire millions more through our mission, please reach out to Kelly Kener at [email protected] to learn more about this year’s sponsorship opportunities.
About Points of Light
Points of Light is a nonpartisan, global nonprofit organization that inspires, equips and mobilizes millions of people to take action that changes the world. We envision a world in which every individual discovers their power to make a difference, creating healthy communities in vibrant, participatory societies. Through 145 affiliates across 39 countries, and in partnership with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 3.7 million people in 16.7 million hours of voluntary service each year. We bring the power of people to meet the most pressing needs in local communities.
5th Global Volunteer Month Kicks Off to Encourage Increase in Volunteerism
The 5th Annual Global Volunteer Month, from April 1 – 30, 2024, is a time to recognize volunteers and people who actively support their communities through volunteerism and civic engagement. With volunteerism on the decline in the U.S. and varying rates of participation globally, Points of Light, is encouraging individuals everywhere to find just one volunteer opportunity or organization to engage with during April to reverse the trend.
“As we celebrate Global Volunteer Month, we recognize the power of people who work tirelessly in communities around the world to create social change,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO at Points of Light. “Volunteering and service is a pathway to strengthening communities, combatting loneliness and building bridges for stronger civic society. Points of Light believes every person has the opportunity to make a meaningful difference.”
According to a recent report, only 23% of Americans formally volunteered with an organization in the U.S. and just 6.5% formally volunteered globally. The U.S. is currently seeing the lowest percentage of volunteering since tracking began in the early 2000s. However, the research is clear: volunteering is an antidote to loneliness and has the power to connect individuals. It increases social interaction, enhances wellbeing and provides a sense of purpose. Plus, it expands empathy around social issues and raises awareness of community needs.
To help address these challenges, Points of Light sees a path for every individual to find a volunteer opportunity in their community, for organizations and companies to champion their mission and volunteerism and for all of us to thank special volunteers who have made an impact in our lives. Visit Points of Light Engage, the world’s largest digital hub of virtual and in-person volunteer opportunities to get connected, use the toolkit, to thank and engage volunteers, and speak out on April 1 to help kick off the month.
With support from lead campaign sponsor, Phillips 66, and nearly 200 organization partners of Global Volunteer Month Program Champions and Heroes, Global Volunteer Month will be celebrated in a variety of ways during April.
Good Energy, Phillip 66’s employee volunteerism program, was designed to inspire their employees to connect with neighbors and share compassion, talents and hard work to improve our communities. Through volunteerism, this initiative seeks to create community connections that inspire action, identify solutions to society’s greatest challenges and improve lives.
“Supporting the communities where Phillips 66 operates is embedded into the company culture, and we’re proud to be the lead sponsor of Global Volunteer Month,” said Courtney Meadows, social impact manager at Phillips 66. “During our Good Energy Month last year, our employees volunteered over 13,000 hours, which resulted in more than $300,000 in grants back to local communities. We are engaged in philanthropic efforts during Global Volunteer Month and year-round because the benefits of volunteering reach far and wide.”
On April 24, Points of Light President and CEO Jennifer Sirangelo will present a Daily Point of Light Award to Aviation Electronics Technician Chief Petty Officer Bill Noddin, stationed aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush, who has volunteered significant personal time to the community with the Sea Cadets. On April 25, nearly 1,800 Sailors from the ship will engage in volunteerism and service through the “Thousand Points of Light” Ship-Wide Day of Service, in collaboration with Points of Light affiliate VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads.
Global Volunteer Month is sponsored by Phillips 66 as the lead campaign sponsor and UPS Foundation as the supporting sponsor, as well as national program partners including The George H.W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum, The Bush School of Government and Public Service, The George and Barbara Bush Foundation, The Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement, America’s Service Commissions, Repair the World, Good Deeds Day, Peace Corps and Voices for National Service.
About Points of Light
Points of Light is a nonpartisan, global nonprofit organization that inspires, equips and mobilizes millions of people to take action that changes the world. We envision a world in which every individual discovers the power to make a difference, creating healthy communities in vibrant, participatory societies. Through 145 affiliates across 39 countries, and in partnership with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 3.7 million people in 16.7 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. For more information, visit pointsoflight.org.
Build Your Case for Investment in CSR and Social Impact
Join Points of Light on March 29 at 1:00 p.m. ET for a free thought leadership webinar, Building the Case for Investment: Why Employee Community Engagement Matters, a webinar that goes beyond the basics.
As corporate social impact practitioners, Points of Light knows well that employee community engagement programs can foster a sense of community, boost employee morale and productivity, combat polarization and ultimately contribute to the bottom-line. But how do you illustrate the value in a way that garners program and infrastructure investment?
Join this thought leadership webinar to explore the benefits of employee community engagement and its impact on business success. In this session, you’ll learn about recent research from Ares Management. You’ll be equipped with additional proof points that demonstrate the intrinsic value of employee community engagement and how it aligns with broader business goals and hear how forward-thinking companies have successfully secured financial investment from senior leadership.
Delve into the latest research that emphasizes the significant value employee volunteerism and workplace community engagement activities bring to communities, your business and employees themselves.
Key Highlights:
Explore the intrinsic value of employee community engagement.
Understand how community engagement aligns with broader business goals.
Discover strategies employed by leading companies to secure financial investment from senior leadership.
You’re encouraged to register, even if you can’t join, to receive a recorded version of the webinar to watch later. Register now to secure your spot and gain practical tips and tools for constructing a compelling business case for community engagement, supported by data, research and successful first-hand accounts.
About Points of Light
Points of Light is a nonpartisan, global nonprofit organization that inspires, equips and mobilizes millions of people to take action that changes the world. We envision a world in which every individual discovers the power to make a difference, creating healthy communities in vibrant, participatory societies. Through 145 affiliates across 39 countries, and in partnership with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 3.7 million people in 16.7 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. For more information, visit pointsoflight.org.
Top Insights From the 2024 Corporate Service Council Winter Summit
On February 22 and 23, 2024, Points of Light convened its Corporate Service Council in New York City for the annual Winter Summit. Hosted by the chair of the Council, Anita Whitehead, president and chair, KPMG U.S. Foundation, the Winter Summit brought together corporate social impact leaders and sector experts for a day-and-a-half of learning, professional development, sharing best practices and thought-provoking discussions.
“Corporate social impact isn’t just ‘nice’ any longer; it’s necessary. Our Corporate Service Council members are driving people-powered, transformative community change around the globe – employee and civic engagement are truly center stage,” said Katie Stearns, chief program and impact officer, Points of Light. “When these leaders come together, innovation and collaboration bloom and our collective work moves forward.”
This year’s topics included:
Human-centered design thinking for developing inclusive and innovative social impact programs (led by Greater Good Studio).
Starting and running effective board training and placement programs (led by Cause Strategy Partners).
Corporate non-partisan support for voters and elections (led by Democracy Works)
Best practices for collaborating with employee resource groups as part of your CSR strategy (led by leaders from Comcast and Dow).
Harnessing the value of employee voice for social impact (facilitated by Provoc with insights from the Ford Foundation’s Listen to Lead initiative).
Katie Stearns, chief program and impact officer, Points of Light, sets the intention for the Winter Summit promising the group that, while together, great ideas will bloom and spread, new collaborations and professional relationships will emerge, and that attendees will realize they have peers to lean on when tackling challenges.
Key Insights from the 2024 Winter Summit:
According to research, volunteering stands out as part of the solution to overcoming prevalent challenges of isolation, polarization, distrust and incivility in society. Given the decline in volunteering and the increase in polarization – especially in the U.S. – volunteering is more important than ever, and companies have a big role to play.
Encouraging employees to vote is a nonpartisan issue. Companies benefit from democracy and must invest in it. If your company is even just “democracy curious,” this is the year to explore how you can take action.
Centering humans in design thinking, especially those who are systemically marginalized, leads to change processes determined and owned by the groups most impacted.
When you hit a roadblock, it’s tempting to jump to solutioning but breaking down a challenge to its root cause by continually asking, “Why is this happening?” can make for better, unbiased results. Leaders who reframe challenges into positive goals get “unstuck” and act on what matters.
When people are a part of the dialogue and feel in control over how innovations impact their lives, they are more inclined to accept rather than resist them.
Values-driven Gen Z will shift the narrative around how society makes progress, and companies have to be ready.
When CSR teams intentionally collaborate with employee resource groups through strategy, structure, or goal setting, you maximize the potential for social and business impact.
Effective employee listening strategies can not only mitigate risks related to productivity, reputation, strategy execution and operations but also positively impact corporate performance.
Nonprofit board service, one of the fastest growing volunteer programs, generates measurable social impact and leadership development outcomes. It also adds to a company’s employee value proposition and yields benefits for employee retention, growth and engagement.
Peg Wong and Ed Chan, volunteers with the Guide Dog Foundation, receive Daily Point of Light Award #7753, from Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO, Points of Light, at the conclusion of Day One of the 2024 Corporate Service Council Winter Summit.
Participating Companies:
AIG, Amazon, Atrium Health, BDO, BlackRock, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Citi, Comcast, Cox Enterprises, CSAA Insurance Group, CVS Health, Delta Air Lines, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Dollar Tree & Family Dollar, Dow, Eastman Chemical Company, Edelman, Equitable, Fannie Mae, Fidelity Investments, General Motors, Google, Infosys, KPMG, Lineage, MassMutual, MetLife, Morgan Stanley, Pacific Life, Paul Hastings LLP, PayPal, Power Design Inc., Prudential Financial, RTX, S&P Global, Sanofi, Sony Corporation of America, Standard Chartered Bank, State Street, TCS, The UPS Foundation, Tony’s Chocolonely, United Airlines, UnitedHealth Group and Zillow.
Corporate Service Council members and guests connect with each other as the 2024 Winter Summit gets underway.
Participating Organizations and Partners:
Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals (ACCP), Cause Strategy Partners, Democracy Works, Greater Good Studio, NYC Service, Provoc, Taproot Foundation, True Impact, VeraWorks and Volunteer New York!
About the Corporate Service Council
The Corporate Service Council represents more than 300 corporate citizenship and philanthropy professionals from nearly 100 leading brands and Fortune 500 companies. This annual membership program empowers and equips leaders with actionable resources, insights, training and connections needed to advance their social impact goals and be recognized for success.
Points of Light is a global nonprofit organization that inspires, equips and mobilizes people to take action that changes the world. We envision a world in which every individual discovers the power to make a difference, creating healthy communities in vibrant, participatory societies. Through 145 affiliates across 39 countries, and in partnership with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 3.7 million volunteers in 16.7 million hours of service each year, contributing $498.7 million of value in people power into communities around the world. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most.
Points of Light Names Global Philanthropy Leader Valencia Bembry as New Chief Development Officer to Grow Organization’s Volunteering and Civic Engagement Impact in Communities Around the World
Points of Light has named Valencia Bembry as the next chief development officer to lead philanthropic investment in volunteer and civic engagement programming for the organization. In a time of increased polarization, an isolation epidemic, and significant declines in volunteering, Points of Light’s mission to inspire, equip and mobilize people to act is more urgent than ever. Ensuring individuals, organizations, and companies can collectively tap into their potential to strengthen communities is critical for our civic health worldwide.
In her role, Valencia will oversee the organization’s philanthropic growth and strategic partnerships to create investments in its global network of NGOs, volunteerism and civic engagement research, unique recognition programs including the Daily Point of Light Award, and the organization’s most prominent award recognition, The George H.W. Bush Points of Light Awards.
“On behalf of the executive team and board of directors, it’s my pleasure to welcome Valencia to Points of Light,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO, Points of Light. “Valencia is a warm and energetic executive who brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of leadership in the nonprofit sector. Her experience will accelerate Points of Light to deliver on our mission as a leader in the social impact field, create transformational partnerships and champion service as a pathway for healing our divides.”
A transformational executive, Bembry brings deep experience in philanthropy, fundraising and developing strategic initiatives.
Bembry most recently served as the head of philanthropy at the United Nations Foundation. In this capacity, she led efforts to provide fundraising guidance and support to over 10 UN agencies, resulting in the generation of over $50 million in direct program and operating support. Additionally, she played a key role in fostering the growth of the Business Council for the United Nations.
Bembry boasts an extensive career spanning nearly two decades, during which she has held diverse positions in fundraising and strategic development. Before joining the United Nations Foundation, she dedicated over five years to United Way Worldwide, where she served in multiple fundraising and leadership capacities. Notably, she crafted the strategic framework for a $20 million fundraising initiative aimed at delivering urgent relief to communities disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am energized by the opportunity to enhance and elevate the role Points of Light plays in uniting people globally,” said Bembry. “The organization empowers people worldwide to foster positive societal changes, while also spotlighting the essential contributions of both individuals and institutions in strengthening their communities.”
Bembry also understands the critical role of volunteers in developing and directing assets. She serves as an advisor to the University of Richmond, United Nations Association of the National Capital Area and NeighborShare.
Bembry will start with Points of Light on Tuesday, February 20.
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Points of Light is a global nonprofit organization that inspires, equips and mobilizes millions of people to take action that changes the world. We envision a world in which every individual discovers the power to make a difference, creating healthy communities in vibrant, participatory societies. Through 145 affiliates across 39 countries, and in partnership with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 3.7 million volunteers in 16.7 million hours of service each year, contributing $498.7 million of value in people power into communities around the world. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. To learn more about Points of Light visit pointsoflight.org.
Global Social Impact Leaders Gather in Poland to Discuss Disaster Response, Refugee Work, Partnerships and Strengthening Civic Engagement in Communities
Warsaw, Poland – During the week of February 6–9, 2024, Points of Light brought together more than 200 community leaders from Poland and 25 additional countries around the world to delve into issues and trends affecting communities as well as discuss key strategies and best practices for mobilizing individuals, NGOs and companies to address them. Guests received a warm welcome from Points of Light’s President & CEO Jennifer Sirangelo and cohost Stowarzyszenie Centrum Wolontariatu’s President Agnieszka Lissowska-Lewkowicz, a member of the Points of Light Global Network.
On February 7, attendees at the 2024 Global Summit on Social Impact, which was open to the public and included NGO and corporate leaders from Poland and around the world, united through a common vision: to drive positive change and foster resilience in communities worldwide. The theme of this year’s summit, One World, One Response, underscored the urgent need for collective action in the face of natural and human-made disasters.
Fireside Chat with Neil Bush and Mark Brzezinski
Mark Brzezinski, United States ambassador to Poland; Agnieszka Buczyńska, Polish minister for civil society, chairwoman of the public benefit committee; and Neil Bush, chair, Points of Light Board of Directors kicked off the Summit. Mrs. Buczyńska shared what civic engagement means today in Poland and reflected on the power it has to support those who have been displaced. In a fireside chat, Mr. Bush and Mr. Brzezenski shared the importance of Points of Light hosting a global convening like this and the power of connecting social impact leaders, highlighting cross-sector partnerships and the historical significance of President Bush’s instrumental support in Poland’s transition to democracy in 1989.
“Our world faces incredible challenges and the only way to solve them is the power of people coming together and creating solutions,” said Points of Light President and CEO Jennifer Sirangelo. “The speakers at the Global Summit on Social Impact shared insights that have impact beyond the room, specifically how they overcame challenges through cross-sector partnerships and how important empathy is for community change. This gathering inspired attendees with a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to building a more resilient and inclusive world.”
Panel discussion
Topics included “Bridging Political Divides,” focusing on leveraging cross-sector partnerships as a tool of civic engagement; “Building Community Resilience,” and how a blueprint for collaboration can help both social and business communities in supporting displaced people; and “Bridge Building,” the intersection between civic engagement and refugee work on a global stage and specifically how most civic engagement leaders today must consider themselves leaders in disaster response.
“For the Polish audience, it was an incredibly important event. We could see inspiring examples of work from all over the world, share our own best practices based on Polish help for Ukrainian war refugees and experience very tangibly that we all go in the same direction of building the support system for displaced people based on cross-sector partnerships. We at Stowarzyszenie Centrum Wolontariatu are proud of being part of this meaningful process,” said Stowarzyszenie Centrum Wolontariatu’s President Agnieszka Lissowska-Lewkowicz.
Points of Light Global Network
The week-long gathering that bookended the Summit is an annual event hosted by Points of Light in partnership with a member of the Points of Light Global Network, a network of 145 innovative volunteer-mobilizing organizations across 39 countries. For 65 leaders from across our network, this year’s gathering was an immersive experience into civic engagement in Poland as well as a platform for exchanging ideas, strategies and best practices to advance civic engagement in global communities.
Leaders from the Points of Light Global Network participated in volunteer projects in Warsaw and had the opportunity to make traditional beaded necklaces for Ukranian refugees, butterfly canvas gift bags for families of children with hearing impairments, and record language learning videos to support displaced refugees. Each project was facilitated by Points of Light co-host Stowarzyszenie Centrum Wolontariatu and their local program partners including the Center for Intergenerational Integration, Polish Foundation for Deaf Children and the Polish Migration Forum Foundation.
Discussion between Points of Light Global Network members
The group also spent two days focused on growing the impact of volunteerism and civic action across the world by learning and sharing about topics like navigating diversity for community impact, innovative programs and approaches from across the world to scale in their home communities, demonstrating organizational and community impact, trends in volunteer engagement and more.
“The energy, innovation and expertise in the room when leaders from Points of Light’s Global Network come together is simply unmatched, and we saw that clearly in Warsaw,” said Katie Stearns, Points of Light chief program and impact officer. “This week together sparks strategies and partnerships that will fuel change, growth and impact across the globe well into the future.”
This week-long event was made possible thanks to the generous support of UPS, one of the world’s largest companies, a leader in emergency and disaster response, and supporting the communities we serve around the world.
Diplomats and Dignitaries Join the 2024 Points of Light Global Summit on Social Impact
The 2024 Points of Light Global Summit on Social Impact will unfold as a beacon of inspiration for 250 global change leaders in Warsaw, Poland, on February 7, 2024, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. CET, hosted by Points of Light and its Global Network affiliate Stowarzyszenie Centrum Wolontariatu. Companies, NGOs and nonprofits unite through a dedication to civic engagement. Among distinguished guests are Mark Brzezinski, United States ambassador to Poland; Agnieszka Buczyńska, Polish minister for civil society, chairwoman of the public benefit committee; and Neil Bush, chair, Points of Light Board of Directors, leading an impressive lineup. One World, One Response is the theme of the summit.
This summit itself is part of a larger global gathering of Points of Light affiliates, bringing social impact leaders from 25 countries, equipping attendees with tools to drive positive change in communities impacted by natural and human-made disaster.
Featured sessions promise impactful experiences:
Bridging Political Divides: Explores cross-sector partnerships as a powerful tool for civic engagement.
Building Community Resilience: Uncovers the blueprint for effective civic engagement.
Bridge Building: Delves into the intersection between civic engagement and global refugee work.
Neil Bush, son of late 41st U.S. President George H.W. Bush, will dialogue with Amb. Brzezinski to mark the 35th anniversary of the end of communist rule in Poland and explore the important relationship between the two countries in navigating the global challenges of today.
Points of Light, a global nonprofit, stands at the forefront of inspiring, equipping and mobilizing millions to change the world. We help build vibrant communities by empowering individuals. Engaging 3.7 million people in 16.7 million hours of service annually, we bring the power of people to where it’s needed most.
Points of Light Launches The Civic 50 2024 Survey to Recognize America’s Top Corporate Citizenship Companies
Points of Light, a nonpartisan, global nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating people-powered change, launched The Civic 50 annual survey on Dec. 1, 2023, which will remain open through March 14, 2024. Points of Light will host an informational webinar for interested companies on Dec. 13, at 12 p.m. ET to review the survey sections, benefits of participating and benchmarking reports. The survey and additional details can be accessed on the applicant information page, including key dates, FAQ, eligibility requirements and a list of survey questions.
For more than 10 years, The Civic 50 has recognized the 50 most community-minded companies in the nation as determined by an annual survey. Since it was launched in 2012, The Civic 50 award has become the preeminent corporate social impact recognition program that creates a roadmap for companies committed to using their time, talent and resources to drive social impact in their business and communities.
“Businesses are uniquely positioned to play a critical role in strengthening our communities and healing our divides, and they’re increasingly being asked to step up as leaders” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO, Points of Light. “The Civic 50 provides a framework to measure and accelerate social impact programs, share best practices, and recognize the top companies who are creating transformational change.”
The Civic 50 honorees are public and private companies with U.S. operations and revenues of at least $1 billion and are selected based on four dimensions of their U.S. community engagement program:
Investment: How the company strategically invests its resources in community engagement and social impact, including employee time and skills, cash, in-kind giving and public leadership.
Integration: How the company integrates its community engagement and social impact programs throughout its business functions and interests (i.e., “doing well by doing good”).
Institutionalization: How the company institutionalizes its community engagement and social impact programs through organizational policies, systems and incentives.
Impact: How the company measures the social and business impact outcomes of its community engagement and social impact programs.
The Civic 50 provides value to companies by helping:
CSR teams create a roadmap for evaluating, improving and scaling their social impact and community engagement programs.
Senior executives easily communicate their company’s commitment to addressing social issues that are important to key stakeholders and investors.
Marketing and PR teams showcase their company’s positive community and social impact.
Employees connect with and celebrate their company’s community engagement and social impact work.
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. For more information, please visit: pointsoflight.org/the-civic-50.
About Points of Light
Points of Light is a global nonprofit organization that inspires, equips and mobilizes millions of people to take action that changes the world. We envision a world in which every individual discovers the power to make a difference, creating healthy communities in vibrant, participatory societies. Through 145 affiliates across 39 countries, and in partnership with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 3.7 million volunteers in 16.7 million hours of service each year, contributing $498.7 million of value in people power into communities around the world. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. To learn more about Points of Light visit pointsoflight.org.
About True Impact
True Impact is a social impact reporting solution that helps Fortune 500 companies and their nonprofit partners measure how much their philanthropy benefits society. For more information, visit trueimpact.com.
About VeraWorks
VeraWorks is a global firm that advises and supports companies on ESG (environment social governance), CSR (corporate social responsibility) and purpose, including on how to offer employees the opportunity to do societal good through their everyday jobs. For more information, visit veraworks.com.
A Statement on the Passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein from Jennifer Sirangelo, President & CEO of Points of Light
Points of Light celebrates the life and groundbreaking public service career of Senator Dianne Feinstein. We are deeply grateful to her commitment to a civic life.
Senator Feinstein started her public service as San Francisco County supervisor. In 1978, she became San Francisco’s first female mayor, and later in 1992, California’s first female U.S. senator. She became the longest-serving female senator in history, where she earned a reputation of someone who continued to work across the aisle for the American people.
Her groundbreaking career included becoming the first woman to head the Senate Intelligence Committee and the first woman to serve as the Judiciary committee’s top Democrat.
She also believed in every American’s ability to serve, supporting the 1993 National and Community Service Act that created the Corporation for National and Community Service, now AmeriCorps. In 2020, she also joined a bipartisan effort supporting Peace Corps volunteers in the face of the pandemic.
She was a bright light, and we know her life and work will serve to inspire us all to live fully engaged civic lives.