Author: sHq_LoGiNz

WASHINGTON, March 31, 2026 /3BL/ – As millions of families and workers continue to face financial pressure and rising costs, Prosperity Now announced that it has received a $1 million dollar Wells Fargo Foundation grant to support IRS-certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) organizations nationwide. This grant expands access to trusted, no-cost tax return preparation services and helps more workers and families claim the refunds and credits they have earned.

The philanthropic investment will strengthen community-based VITA organizations and expand Prosperity Now’s efforts to provide grants, training, and technical assistance to providers across the country. These programs ensure eligible individuals can prepare accurate tax returns and claim refundable credits for which they qualify, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC).

Each year, millions of eligible individuals do not claim valuable tax credits. In 2025, approximately 24 million workers and families benefited from the EITC, receiving nearly $70 billion in total credits, with an average refund of $2,894. For many households, a tax refund represents one of the largest single payments they receive all year, helping cover essential expenses such as housing, groceries, childcare, utilities, and education.

“At a time when families continue to navigate rising costs, access to trusted, no-cost tax return preparation is more important than ever,” said Marisa Calderon, President and CEO of Prosperity Now. “We are deeply grateful to the Wells Fargo Foundation for this philanthropic investment, which will allow us to expand support for VITA organizations and help more families access the full refunds and credits they’ve earned.”

Professional tax preparation services can be costly, with average fees for a basic return often exceeding $200. For households managing tight budgets, those fees can create additional strain. VITA programs help remove that barrier by offering trusted, no-cost tax return preparation services in community settings.

“At Wells Fargo, we believe that financial health is the foundation for opportunity,” said Bonnie Wallace, Head of Financial Opportunity Philanthropy for Wells Fargo. “That belief is what connects us so strongly to Prosperity Now’s vision: ensuring every individual and family has access to the tools they need to build stability and long-term prosperity. Our commitment to help strengthen VITA sites nationwide will expand access for families and connect tax time with broader financial opportunities.

Prosperity Now works with hundreds of VITA organizations across the country through its Tax Opportunity Network, the nation’s leading professional network for practitioners and organizations providing tax preparation services. Through this investment, Prosperity Now will provide grants as well as year-round training, technical assistance, and peer learning opportunities to help VITA providers strengthen service delivery and expand access to tax assistance in their communities.

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About Prosperity Now

Since 1979, Prosperity Now has been a trusted leader in strengthening financial security, expanding access to capital, and ensuring economic stability for businesses, families, and communities. Learn more at www.prosperitynow.org.

Contact:
Lobna Hassairi (202) 250-9168
media@prosperitynow.org

PITTSBURGH, March 31, 2026 /3BL/ – The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., is kicking off Great Month, its annual celebration of PNC Grow Up Great^® and high-quality early childhood education, by announcing new initiatives with two longtime collaborators.

The PNC Foundation announced a $6.2 million grant to Sesame Workshop to support a multi-year school readiness effort focused on outdoor and play-based learning. This initiative will develop new resources to help young children build school readiness skills in science, math and literacy, and will encourage them to explore their interests and form connections that support early learning.

Available this week at sesameworkshop.org and pncgrowupgreat.com are new Sesame Street Muppet videos, printable activity sheets, articles and an outdoor science web-based adult learning app. A Sesame Street “Go Outside…Grow Outside” growth chart will be available April 1 in PNC branches.

Research shows that outdoor and play-based learning can strengthen science, literacy and math skills while supporting physical development and emotional well-being. Many young children, however, have limited opportunities for safe outdoor play and hands-on exploration, particularly in under-resourced communities. The initiative responds to this need by giving parents, caregivers and educators practical tools that make experiential learning easier to integrate into daily routines.

“We know that all experiences can spark learning, especially when a child is curious about what’s around them,” said Sally McCrady, chair and president of the PNC Foundation. “These new resources will help families build on children’s curiosity to learn through simple daily activities, from counting bounces of a ball at the playground to noticing how birds blend into tree branches.”

“Our longstanding partnership with PNC Foundation helps inspire children’s curiosity about their environment,” said Kama Einhorn, senior director of Content Design at Sesame Workshop. “By encouraging outdoor exploration, we nurture a sense of wonder and discovery that is essential for lifelong learning, helping every child connect with nature and develop critical skills for the future.”

Additionally, to continue the momentum of Great Month, PNC Grow Up Great has fully funded nearly 1,000 DonorsChoose classroom projects totaling nearly $600,000, submitted by public pre-K and Head Start teachers in the communities where PNC employees live and work. The projects align with the mission and focus areas of PNC Grow Up Great, with supplemental support directed to needs related to health, sports and wellness, and warmth, care and hunger. PNC and DonorsChoose, an education nonprofit that allows individuals to donate directly to classroom projects, have collaborated since 2017 to help teachers obtain quality resources and experiences for students in public pre-K, public charter and Head Start classrooms. The $20 million alliance has used flash funds, match offers, DonorsChoose gift codes and jumpstart donations to support early childhood learning.

In April, PNC Grow Up Great and DonorsChoose will build on this support by spotlighting the creativity of early childhood educators who are designing innovative outdoor play and learning experiences. During Great Month, public pre-K and Head Start teachers in PNC communities will be invited to submit outdoor-focused classroom projects through DonorsChoose. Qualifying projects will receive a $500 jumpstart donation from PNC Grow Up Great to help expand hands-on learning and exploration for young learners.

To empower employee volunteerism and participation in PNC’s volunteer grant program, PNC announced that beginning April 1, volunteer grants will double for individual and team volunteers. Previously offered as Double the Impact grants during occasions such as PNC Grow Up Great’s 20th anniversary in 2024, the new amounts range from a $2,000 grant for an individual who volunteers 40 hours with an approved partner to $6,000 for a four- to 10-person team that combines for 100 hours. PNC’s paid volunteerism policy provides employees up to 40 hours of paid time off each year to volunteer with approved organizations, and volunteers have earned more than $12 million in grants for PNC Grow Up Great partners. This year, employees can support outdoor learning by assembling Discover Math in Nature! activity kits, reading nature-themed books in pre-K classrooms, and assembling bird houses, bug hotels and sunshine crafts.

The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC), actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The Foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. Through PNC Grow Up Great®, its signature cause that began in 2004, PNC has created a bilingual $500 million, multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life. For more information, visit http://www.pncgrowupgreat.com.

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CONTACT:

Angie Carducci
(412) 762-9186
angela.carducci@pnc.com

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 31, 2026 /3BL/ – Data Center Safety Council (DCSC) is pleased to announce new Strategic Corporate Member Rowan Digital Infrastructure who joins previously announced Founding Members EdgeCore, Oracle, STACK Infrastructure, Salesforce, Vantage Data Centers and Yondr; and Strategic Corporate Members Ada Infrastructure, CBRE, Digital Realty, Flexential, Google and QTS.

The Data Center Safety Council (DCSC) brings together industry stakeholders to advance a consistent, unified approach to protecting the health, safety, and wellbeing of personnel across data center operations. As the sector continues to rapidly expand, there is an increasing need for consistent best practices, shared learning, and clearly defined resources for training and workforce development. Awareness of the safety risks inherent in these complex, often multi-employer environments has grown significantly over the past several years; however, implementing comprehensive, organization-wide safety programs can still present challenges. Through collaboration and industry advocacy, the DCSC helps align safety expectations and promotes a cohesive approach to managing operational risks across the data center landscape.

“Rowan expects safety excellence across every one of our sites. Joining the Data Center Safety Council reinforces that commitment as we continue to scale responsibly, sharing best practices and learning alongside peers to maintain the highest standards across every project and community,” Mark McKeon.

The members of the Data Center Safety Council are all leaders in the industry and well positioned to create collective global action and consistency for the industry as a whole. The DCSC invites its data center industry peers to join this mission as we continue to grow. DCSC is facilitated by Antea Group.

About Rowan Digital Infrastructure

Rowan Digital Infrastructure develops sustainable data center campuses for hyperscale customers, offering build-to-suit solutions that enable rapid and cost-effective scaling. Founded in November 2020, Rowan is supported by strong capital partnerships and a team of industry veterans.  Rowan is fully backed by Quinbrook, a leading investor in the clean energy transition. Rowan is actively developing multiple 300 MW to 1+ GW campuses across the U.S. to meet the next-generation capacity needs of hyperscale operators in a dynamic market. Learn more at www.rowan.digital.

ATLANTA, March 31, 2026 /3BL/ – The Ray installed a pollinator meadow in the City of Doraville, Georgia in late February. The project represents a strategic partnership to enhance the value of public land at one of the region’s most active transportation hubs.

Located at the intersection of I-285, Buford Highway, and Oakcliff Road, the new meadow sits at a “height of greatness” for visibility. By converting this high-traffic roadside tract into a functional landscape, The Ray and the City of Doraville are demonstrating how underutilized transit corridors can be transitioned into productive, managed assets that benefit the local community and the regional economy.

Strategic Land Management

This installation is more than a beautification effort; it is a deployment of living infrastructure. By replacing traditional turf grass with deep-rooted native wildflowers and grasses, we are addressing several operational goals:

• Maintenance Efficiency: Native meadows, once established, require significantly less mowing and chemical intervention than traditional grass, reducing long-term labor costs for local government.
• Stormwater Control: The complex root systems of these native species improve soil quality and increase the land’s ability to manage heavy rainfall, mitigating runoff issues common in paved urban environments.
• Pollution Mitigation: These plantings act as a natural biological filter, helping to capture particulates and runoff at a busy intersection before they impact local water systems.

A Collaborative Milestone

The project was made possible through the leadership of Austin Shelton and the City of Doraville’s Community Development team. This partnership highlights the growing demand from local governments for innovative land stewardship solutions that provide tangible returns on public investment.

“The strategic location of this meadow allows for prime visibility to the traveling public, said Josh Weaver, The Ray’s Natural Capital Manager. “By demonstrating the functional value of these landscapes in high-traffic areas, we can build the stakeholder buy-in needed to scale these solutions across the region.”

Looking Ahead

While the physical seeding is complete, the meadow is now entering its most critical phase: establishment. Over the coming spring months, the carefully selected native seeds will germinate, eventually providing a vibrant, low-maintenance landscape that supports local biodiversity while protecting the roadside’s integrity.

The Ray remains committed to scaling these natural capital solutions across Georgia. As this “living laboratory” in Doraville takes root, it will serve as a blueprint for other municipalities looking to optimize their transportation corridors for safety, beauty, and operational resilience.

Stay tuned for updates as we monitor the growth of the Doraville meadow.

Let’s drive the future, together.

Media Contact:

Dallen McLemore: dallen@theray.org 229-449-6168

Having pride in what you do is one of the reasons Don Roberts, Plant Manager for CertainTeed Roofing, has been with the company for over 37 years. He knows firsthand that support is strongest when it’s shared. 

Saint-Gobain is an industry leader with thousands of talented team members who are dedicated to one unified purpose: Making the World a Better Home. With more than 160 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada, there are so many robust and fulfilling career opportunities available. You’ll have the opportunity to work with colleagues from a wide range of businesses, cultures, and experiences.

About Success in the Making

Anyone can be a manufacturer! Whether you are just starting out or transitioning your career path, the manufacturing industry presents opportunities for success. Saint-Gobain North America’s Success in the Making series features the stories of team members who built their careers in manufacturing and thrived!

Watch the full Success in the Making series on YouTube.

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services adapted to the residential, non-residential and infrastructure markets. Its integrated and innovative solutions provide sustainability, performance and well-being for its customers. The Group is guided by its purpose, “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€46.5 billion in sales in 2025
162,000 employees, locations in 80 countries
Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050

For more information about Saint-Gobain, visit www.saint-gobain.com and follow us on X @saintgobain

 

A Northeast Ohio restaurant owner and KeyBank client recently avoided a nearly $5,000 loss thanks to KeyBank’s Positive Pay fraud‑prevention program. According to an article from Cleveland 19 News, Carol Abbot, who owns four restaurants, discovered an altered check after Positive Pay flagged a discrepancy. Abbot said the alert allowed her to stop the fraudulent transaction before any funds were withdrawn.

Abbot credits Key’s program for helping her safeguard her business accounts. Her experience highlights the importance of daily account monitoring and utilizing available protection tools to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated fraud attempts.

Read the full story on Cleveland 19 News:
https://www.cleveland19.com/2026/03/11/northeast-ohio-restaurant-owner-stops-5k-fraud-attempt-with-banks-positive-pay-program/

 

^{Banking products and services are offered by KeyBank N.A. Fees may apply to some of the products and services discussed on this. KeyBank Member FDIC CFMA# 260318-4223278}

Across DP World’s Peru operations, sustainability comes to life through the people, communities, and innovations shaping everyday impact — from cleaner port operations and renewable energy to education, workforce development, and community resilience.

These moments reflect a broader commitment to building more inclusive, low-carbon supply chains while creating lasting value where we operate.

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

When 5-year-old Arlo Northey arrived at the hospital for the first time after being diagnosed with a brain tumor, his world suddenly felt unfamiliar. There were new faces, new machines and new words like port placement, chemotherapy, treatment plan. It was a lot for anyone to take in, let alone a child trying to understand why life had changed so quickly.

But on that overwhelming day, Arlo was handed something unexpected: a small, soft feathered companion with a gentle heartbeat and a peaceful expression. It was My Special Aflac Duck®, a robotic comfort companion designed for children facing cancer and sickle cell disease.

What happened next, Arlo’s mother said, was nothing short of remarkable.

A tool for understanding and a friend for the journey

Before his port was placed, nurses introduced Arlo to his duck’s medical play accessories — items that mirror the tools used during treatment. With them, Arlo could practice what would soon happen to him. He learned where the duck’s port was, tried out the small toy stethoscope, placed the mock chemotherapy lines and acted out the process step by step.

For a child suddenly thrust into medical complexity, it offered something priceless: understanding.

“It made everything less scary,” his mother Aubrey Northey said. “He could practice on the duck what the doctors were going to do to him. It helped him open up about what he was nervous about, and it made things easier to understand.”

The duck quickly became part of the family’s new routine. Arlo brought it to appointments. He slept with it. When he felt nervous walking into a room full of medical staff, he held it tight.

“He brings it whenever he’s unsure or overwhelmed,” Aubrey says. “It’s become his comfort through every new appointment.”

A source of comfort for the whole family

What surprised Aubrey most was how much the duck helped Arlo’s older brothers, too. Siblings often become silent witnesses to childhood illness — worried, confused and unsure how to express the emotions swirling inside them.

But as the Northey family learned, My Special Aflac Duck wasn’t just designed for patients. It also helps families start the difficult conversations that cancer forces into the room.

Arlo’s brothers used the duck to ask questions, mimic procedures and show their own feelings using the duck’s feeling cards. Those small plastic discs — happy, sad, mad, scared, brave — serve as prompts for children to communicate emotions they don’t yet know how to articulate.

“It helped his brothers understand what was happening and talk about how they were feeling, too,” Aubrey said. “Something about seeing Arlo practice on the duck made it easier for them to ask questions and be part of what he was going through.”

For the Northeys, a simple stuffed animal has become a meaningful partner in navigating a frightening new chapter. It’s a bridge between a child’s imagination and the realities of cancer care — a way to help turn fear into something that can be named, explored and managed.

My Special Aflac Duck was the focus of a three-year study where patients reported a reduction in distress, nausea, pain and procedural anxiety compared to those who had not yet received a duck. This study, involving 160 children and families at 8 different hospitals, also revealed that parents and caregivers reported a reduction in stress and anxiety, showing how My Special Aflac Duck helps children’s support system.

A mission to comfort families when they need it most

Since launching in 2018, My Special Aflac Duck has been delivered free of charge to more than 43,000 children diagnosed with cancer or sickle cell disease across the United States, Japan and Northern Ireland. The duck was designed after 18 months of research with child life specialists, families and clinicians. Its goal: help children prepare for treatment, express emotions and find a sense of control during an experience where so much feels out of their hands.

Some features that make the duck unique include:

• Medical play accessories, such as a port, thermometer, and a stethoscope, allowing children to rehearse procedures or mirror what clinicians do
• Feeling cards that help kids express feelings they may not have words for yet
• A heartbeat and breathing simulation, providing calming sensory feedback during stressful moments
• Soft, comforting design, making it easy to cuddle during rest and procedures
• An augmented reality app offering activities for distraction and imaginative play

Child Life teams often describe the duck as a coping tool, a therapeutic aid and, for many kids, a comforting friend. For children like Arlo, it becomes something even more profound: a steady source of courage in a path they never asked to walk.

To learn more about My Special Aflac Duck and to order one for a patient in need, visit MySpecialAflacDuck.com.

 

Aflac WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

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