Tag: 3BL

October 23, 2025 /3BL/ – Companies across the United States expanded their workplace giving programs in 2025 to strengthen employee engagement and community impact. As corporate social responsibility becomes a central business focus, organizations are investing in matching gifts, volunteer grants, and payroll giving programs that empower employees to give back to causes they care about.

Corporate Giving Continues to Grow

According to data from the Giving USA Report, corporate philanthropy exceeded $44 billion in 2024, a 9% year-over-year increase. This surge highlights a powerful shift toward purpose-driven business practices where employees and companies collaborate to support nonprofits nationwide. With innovative developments in corporate giving programs in 2025, experts are optimistic that this will be another strong year for corporate philanthropy.

Leading Companies Champion Workplace Giving

In 2025, many large corporations are going beyond traditional donations to create inclusive, engaging, and scalable giving experiences:

• C.H. Robinson strengthened its commitment to community engagement in 2025 through its “Robinson Cares” employee giving program. The initiative empowers team members to support nonprofits, awarding $400,000 in grants to organizations championed by its workforce. This program demonstrates how industry leaders can integrate philanthropic efforts into a unified strategy that amplifies employee engagement and community impact.
   
• The Walt Disney Company continues to strengthen its focus on employee engagement and community impact through a variety of corporate social responsibility and volunteerism programs. Disney’s Disney VoluntEARS program, one of the longest-running corporate volunteer initiatives in the world, encourages employees to donate their time to community organizations while earning matching grants for eligible nonprofits. In recent years, Disney employees have contributed millions of volunteer hours globally, supporting causes such as education, conservation, and youth development. These efforts showcase how major corporations can integrate volunteerism, workplace giving, and employee engagement into their core company culture.
   
• Microsoft continues to operate one of the most recognized employee giving programs in the world. Each year, Microsoft matches employee donations dollar for dollar and rewards volunteer hours with additional corporate funds. Since its program began, Microsoft employees have donated over $2 billion to nonprofits worldwide, proving that sustained workplace giving programs can scale impact across decades.
   
• In July 2025, Principal Financial Group announced it had surpassed its global volunteer goal of 145,000 hours, marking roughly 157,657 volunteer hours served across more than 4,100 nonprofits worldwide. This is a 50% increase over the prior year. This kind of scale shows how corporate volunteer programs can become a major flagship element of social responsibility and workplace giving programs.

These examples show that corporate giving and employee engagement go hand in hand. Companies that prioritize workplace giving report higher retention rates, stronger morale, and a more purpose-driven culture.

Why Workplace Giving Matters for Nonprofits

For nonprofits and schools, workplace giving programs represent a major opportunity for consistent and sustainable funding. When corporations promote matching gift programs, volunteer grants, and payroll giving options, nonprofits receive steady support that fuels their missions year-round.

Despite this potential, many nonprofits still lack the tools to identify eligible donors and track available programs, leaving millions of corporate dollars unclaimed each year.

How Double the Donation Helps Nonprofits Capture More Corporate Giving

Double the Donation, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is the leading provider of workplace giving software that helps nonprofits and educational institutions connect with corporate philanthropy. Its platform automates key fundraising processes so organizations can:

• Identify donors eligible for matching gifts, volunteer grants, and payroll giving programs.
   
• Simplify the process of linking employee donations to their employer’s corporate giving options.
   
• Increase revenue through automatic matching gift identification and real-time employer data.
   
• Strengthen donor relationships by making workplace giving easy and accessible.

With Double the Donation’s new platform features, including Volunteer Grant and Payroll Giving Modules, nonprofits can take advantage of workplace giving opportunities in 2025 and beyond.

About Double the Donation

Double the Donation is the leading provider of matching gift and workplace giving automation software for nonprofits and educational institutions. The company’s tools help organizations raise more by identifying and engaging supporters eligible for corporate giving programs.

To learn more, visit doublethedonation.com.

Bri Nunley is a leader on and off the soccer field. As a Division I collegiate athlete at Arizona State University (ASU), she brings determination to every game. Off the field, Bri channels that same strength into uplifting her community – serving as current president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee; former president of EmpowHER, an ASU student-athlete organization empowering individuals to find their voice, build allies, and inspire the next generation through women in sports; and a personal trainer committed to mentorship.

Now, through ASU’s Student-Athlete Venture Studio in collaboration with GoDaddy Empower, Bri is learning to channel her leadership into entrepreneurship. With GoDaddy Airo®, she’s building her personal brand, creating a digital hub that reflects both her athletic career and her drive to empower others.

This collaboration between GoDaddy Empower and ASU supports student-athletes by giving them tools to maximize their name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights; tell their story their way; and lay the foundation for future entrepreneurial ventures.

Ready to build your future? Get a .com for only $4.99 for your first year — includes Airo — at studentathlete.godaddy.

Watch Bri’s story here.

About GoDaddy 
GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a website and logo, sell their products and services, and accept payments. GoDaddy Airo^®, the company’s AI-powered experience, makes growing a small business faster and easier by helping them to get their idea online in minutes, drive traffic and boost sales. GoDaddy’s expert guides are available 24/7 to provide assistance. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

GoDaddy Empower Spotlight Series

By partnering with diverse community organizations, schools, and education institutions, GoDaddy Empower helps emerging entrepreneurs of all ages and backgrounds build and grow their businesses online with free digital tools, training, and community. This article is part of the GoDaddy Empower spotlight series that shines a light on the individuals who make this unique initiative possible. 

PORTLAND, Ore., October 23, 2025 /3BL/ – The Circular Electronics Partnership (CEP) today announced the release of the Circular Electronics Design Guide Addendum 2025: Navigating the Corporate-to-Product Divide in Circular Design Performance. Developed in collaboration with Accenture, this addendum builds on the Circular Electronics Design Guide (CEDG) published last year, offering a practical roadmap to help companies translate their circularity ambitions into measurable product-level action.

While the 2024 CEDG provided an industry-defining blueprint for circular innovation — spanning “Enable, Frame, Plan, and Implement” phases — the 2025 Addendum tackles one of the most persistent barriers in the electronics industry: the disconnect between high-level corporate goals and on-the-ground design execution.

“Strategic intent too often falters at the point of translation into practice,” said Teun van Wetten, Industrial Design Director at Accenture. “This addendum is the bridge — a unified Circular Performance Framework that links boardroom ambition to offer circular electronics with engineering reality.”

Where the Circular Electronics Design Guide mapped the full circular innovation process, the new Addendum complements the original guide by zeroing in on two critical enablers: FRAME and ENABLE. Together, they show how organizational vision, data systems, and AI-powered tools can work together to drive measurable circular performance.

Additionally, the Addendum introduces a Circular Performance Framework that unites corporate, operational, and design-level systems. It also explores how product lifecycle data, agentic AI, and digital twins can help organizations simulate, validate, and scale circular design decisions — closing the “language gap” between sustainability leaders, engineers, and operations managers.

By connecting frameworks such as CEIC’s corporate indicators with EN 4555X product standards, the Addendum provides a new methodology for evidence-based circularity. Case studies from CEP Member Companies and Partners illustrate how companies are experimenting with different ways to align financial, material, and mission-driven metrics.

“This work strengthens the connective tissue of the circular economy,” said Dan Reid, Head of Secretariat for the Circular Electronics Partnership. “The Design Guide gave us the architecture; this Addendum gives us the wiring — the systems, data, and decision loops that make circular performance real.”

 

About the Circular Electronics Partnership

The Circular Electronics Partnership (CEP) is a global community leading the transition to a circular economy in the electronics industry. Since its inception in 2021, CEP has brought together six founding partners and over 35 leading tech companies, all working together to transform the sector.

CEP fosters cohesion and drives collective action for greater impact. Serving as a coordination platform, CEP facilitates effective collaboration across the entire electronics value chain. It leverages the strengths of each founding partner, connects existing initiatives, and aligns the sector around a shared vision and roadmap to overcome the barriers to a circular electronics industry by 2030.

 

Erik Fessler 

Senior Manager, Global Communications

Global Electronics Council

efessler@gec.org

 

Daniel Reid 

Head of Secretariat

Circular Electronics Partnership

dreid@gec.org

Originally published on Food Dive

Choosing the right package for a product can also support a brand’s environmental goals. For example, did you know that food loss and food waste are responsible for 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions? 
“We’re at a point where consumers are counting on brands to make the right choices,” says Babitha George, packaging portfolio manager for Tetra Pak U.S. and Canada. “Choosing recyclable packaging that has been purposefully designed to extend shelf life shows you recognize the impact your choices make on consumers — and the planet.”

Click here to read more on Food Dive

With nearly 40% of carbon emissions coming from the built environment, the construction industry is building and renovating more and more sustainably. With innovative solutions and new construction methods, we have a whole new vocabulary that this podcast is going to decipher for you!

If you don’t know the acronym PAAS, it stands for “product as a service”. It’s a model based on how a product is used and not just its physical ownership. For businesses, this calls for new business models and longer-term thinking. And the world of construction is gradually starting to adopt a similar approach!

Listen here, P…for PAAS, a Saint-Gobain Podcast

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group, celebrating its 360th anniversary in 2025, remains more committed than ever to its purpose “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€46.6 billion in sales in 2024
More than 161,000 employees, locations in 80 countries
Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050

Las Vegas Sands

The Asian Community Development Council (ACDC) hosted more than 300 Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students and parents for the annual College Readiness Bootcamp Sept. 13 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ (UNLV). With underwriting from Sands Cares, the event equipped families with the tools they need to pursue higher education.

The boot camp presented insights and advice from 15 speakers on topics including standardized tests, financial aid and scholarships, college life skills, and career opportunities in fields such as technology, culinary arts and health.

Michael Busuamlak, father of a high school student, shared that the event provided valuable insights for a busy parent like himself to better understand the college process and what to expect for his daughter before making any decisions.

The 2025 program included representatives from Clark County School District; UNLV; University of Nevada, Reno; Nevada State University; College of Southern Nevada; the College Board, which administers SAT and Advanced Placement tests; tutoring organizations and leading Nevada employers, such as The Raiders Foundation. The event also provided hands-on support for applying to in-state and out-of-state schools and for financial aid and scholarships, with separate sessions targeted to parents and students.

“The boot camp is one of our most important youth development events, and we’ve seen attendance grow every year since its inception in 2015,” Vida Lin, president and founder of ACDC, said. “Many students will be first-generation college attendees, so our program is critical in helping families navigate this complex system and providing confidence that a spectrum of resources – from application preparation and academic requirements to financial support – exists.”

This year, ACDC also will introduce a Trade School Bootcamp – a new program to assist youth interested in pursuing vocational paths with career track information and guidance on pursuing skill sets in their chosen fields. This program is also being supported through Sands Cares in 2025.

Sands’ support for ACDC’s youth development programs addresses the company’s priorities on education and building a diverse workforce of the future. To learn more about the Sands Cares community engagement program, visit https://www.sands.com/responsibility.

To learn more about the Asian Community Development Council, visit https://acdcnv.org/.

Among the many treasures of this beautiful land that I also call home, there is a Greek word that resonates deeply with me: Philoxenia (Φιλοξενία). It’s often translated simply as hospitality, but it encompasses so much more than that. Philoxenia, literally “love of strangers,” embodies a profound, unconditional generosity – offering food, shelter, and comfort to anyone, without expectation of anything in return. It embodies a spirit of genuine warmth, open-hearted connection, and a deep respect for every individual. 

This was precisely the atmosphere I envisioned, and indeed felt, permeating our Europe Cisco Networking Academy Partner Conference in Thessaloniki this past week. This annual conference brings together Cisco Networking Academy teachers, government leaders, and public/private sector collaborators from across the region to celebrate the achievements of the past year and to anticipate even greater successes ahead. 

My hope, as Senior Regional Manager for Cisco Networking Academy in Europe, was to foster an environment where every participant, whether a long-standing partner or a new face, felt not just welcomed, but truly valued, heard, and an integral part of our shared mission. It was an inspiring gathering, a true testament to our collective commitment to shaping the future of technology education across Europe. 

The Imperative for Our Future Workforce

The main theme of this year’s program was, of course, Artificial Intelligence (AI). We are living through a profound technological revolution that stands to shape not only the world of work and education, but society itself. The compelling 2025 report from the AI Workforce Consortium, proudly led by Cisco, clearly articulates the urgent need for a skilled workforce capable of navigating, innovating, and leading within this new paradigm.

At Cisco, we don’t just understand this imperative; we embrace it. Through our Cisco Networking Academy program, we are  creating new AI literacy and practical skills courses to enrich curricula throughout the region, and crucially, to allow any European to take their digital future into their own hands. My personal commitment, and that of my team, is to ensure we are providing our learners with the foundational knowledge and hands-on experience they need to thrive in an AI-driven world. This isn’t just about understanding algorithms; it’s about fostering critical thinking, advanced problem-solving, and crucial ethical considerations – skills that are paramount for the future. And, just as importantly, we are making this increasingly inclusive by translating our curriculum into 12 European languages, because learning must be accessible to all. 

Local Impact, Global Reach: A Thessaloniki Success Story

One of the most gratifying moments of the conference was witnessing the tangible impact of our work through a compelling Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) use case right here in Thessaloniki. CDA helps to power digital transformation around the world through partnerships across government, academia, industry, and more.  

We proudly showcased an innovative project developed in collaboration with the American Farm School. This initiative illustrates how our technology can be applied to solve real-world challenges across industries, including within the vital and so often under supported sector of agriculture. These strategic alliances are not just partnerships; they are living proof of the power how collaboration and creative thinking can transform technology into a source of deep transformation. It’s a testament to how local innovation, nurtured by dedicated partners, can contribute significantly to global progress. 

Celebrating Excellence: Our Valued Partners

No conference would be complete without recognizing the extraordinary efforts of our partners, and we had the immense pleasure of awarding several Cisco Networking Academy partners for their exceptional achievements throughout the year. “Be the Bridge” Award has been awarded to two exceptional partners, the Open University (UK) and PUE (Spain) while, our “Golden Bridge” Award went to Specialisterne, a globally-recognized social enterprise based in Italy dedicated to enabling employment for neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with autism. These learners, by leveraging their unique talent and skills, are then matched with jobs that perfectly suit their strengths. 

By seamlessly integrating Cisco Networking Academy into its modular, free training programs, Specialisterne Italia has profoundly enhanced its curriculum with industry-recognized content in networking and cybersecurity. Started in September 2022, this powerful partnership has already enabled 150 students to gain both theoretical knowledge and invaluable practical skills, aligned with certifications like CCNA. This has led to 50 of those individuals earning a full-time job opportunity. It’s a brilliant example of how our partnerships can help build more inclusive pathways to success. 

Strengthening our Communities to Power an Inclusive Future for All

As I reflect on the insightful discussions, the shared vision, and the renewed sense of purpose from our time in Thessaloniki, I am more confident than ever in Cisco Networking Academy’s profound ability to prepare our students for the future. Together, we are not just teaching technology; we are building crucial bridges to opportunity, fostering innovation, and creating a truly skilled, inclusive, and resilient global workforce — with our own philoxenia that has distinguished this program since 1997.  

View original content here.

Originally published on October 10, 2025 on LinkedIn

Sysco was proud to present the Southern Smoke Festival — celebrating five years of partnership with the Southern Smoke Foundation and raising $1.7 million to support food & beverage workers in crisis.

A special shoutout to Sysco Sales Consultant Katherine Castellanos, inducted into the Southern Smoke Hall of Flame for her incredible dedication and heart for our hospitality community.

From great food to even greater purpose — this festival was all about connection, care, and community.

About Sysco

Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. With more than 76,000 colleagues, the company operates 340 distribution facilities worldwide and serves approximately 730,000 customer locations. For fiscal year 2024 that ended June 29, 2024, the company generated sales of more than $78 billion. Information about our Sustainability program, including Sysco’s 2023 Sustainability Report and 2023 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Report, can be found at www.sysco.com.

 For more information, visit www.sysco.com or connect with Sysco on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SyscoFoods. For important news and information regarding Sysco, visit the Investor Relations section of the company’s Internet home page at investors.sysco.com, which Sysco plans to use as a primary channel for publishing key information to its investors, some of which may contain material and previously non-public information. In addition, investors should continue to review our news releases and filings with the SEC. It is possible that the information we disclose through any of these channels of distribution could be deemed to be material information.

View original content here.

As extreme weather events become more common, the Sichuan Meteorological Bureau, based in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province in southwest China, plays an increasingly important role in public safety and disaster prevention.

In addition to providing public meteorological services, including weather observation and forecasting, climate change research, and severe weather warnings, the bureau also delivers information to government bodies to support programs that mitigate the impact of extreme weather.

To perform critical weather research, Sichuan Meteorological Bureau relies on many analytics and database systems. Historically, these systems were distributed across multiple data centers – a complex set up that led to escalating management costs. To streamline operations and enhance efficiency, the bureau decided to migrate its systems to a unified platform in a single data center.

The Challenge

Managing a migration of this scale required careful planning and execution. To add to the complexity, the bureau aimed to move the systems during the regional flood season – one of the busiest periods of the year when demand for up-to-the-minute weather updates is at its highest. It was therefore vital to maintain the availability of key forecasting and operational systems during the changeover.

“The relocation task faced immense pressure due to its complex requirements, including system security, user clusters, and business dependencies,” a Sichuan Meteorological Bureau spokesperson said.

While the Sichuan Meteorological Bureau received proposals from multiple vendors, one stood out – Lenovo. As a long-standing trusted partner, with deep knowledge of the bureau’s existing business processes, systems, and IT environment, Lenovo was uniquely positioned to deliver a tailored migration plan.

Given the scale and sensitivity of the project, Lenovo’s proven track record in large-scale infrastructure migrations was key. The bureau entrusted Lenovo with the relocation of many databases, servers, and storage systems, and with the provision of ongoing support.

Enlisting expert migration support

To assess the bureau’s current server, storage, and networking environment. The customized data center relocation project included comprehensive systems mapping, capacity planning and designing relocation paths. Involving both logical migration – including data and files – and physical migration, it was executed through Lenovo’s Configuration and Deployment Services, ensuring minimal disruption to operations. Ongoing performance and reliability were supported by

In addition to monitoring and optimizing the servers and storage environment, Lenovo now manages the bureau’s third-party virtualization, database, and security systems. The bureau also benefits from Lenovo’s Support Services and fast access to spare parts, ensuring continuous operational efficiency and long-term infrastructure stability.

“The Lenovo team worked closely with our bureau to create a comprehensive relocation plan, ensuring seamless migration while maintaining security and efficiency. The specialists from provided on-site support during critical stages and ensured all technical bottlenecks were resolved within 32 hours.” – a Sichuan Meteorological Bureau spokesperson said.

The data and file migration was completed in four phases, due to the reuse of existing equipment, with each taking between three to five hours. This meant that the migration process was carried out without any downtime.

The Results

Working with Lenovo, the Sichuan Meteorological Bureau successfully migrated its core systems to a streamlined infrastructure in the new data center, simplifying management, reducing costs, and strengthening support for vital climate research and weather forecasting.

John Stamer, Vice President & General Manager, Global Product Services at Lenovo said: “We’re proud to have supported the Sichuan Meteorological Bureau in modernizing its critical infrastructure during such a vital system migration. With our end-to-end Managed Services, we’ve delivered tailored support across assessment, deployment, and ongoing optimization – all while ensuring uninterrupted weather forecasting during one of the region’s most demanding seasons. This collaboration underscores Lenovo’s commitment to providing comprehensive solutions that help organizations navigate complexity and operate with confidence, resilience, and agility.”

“The data migration was completed smoothly, enabling core meteorological operations, forecasts, and warnings to continue without interruption. Lenovo’s dedication has left a deep impression on all stakeholders involved,” a Sichuan Meteorological Bureau spokesperson said.

Crucially, Lenovo helped the bureau to complete the relocation on schedule, despite tight timelines. Throughout the transition, the bureau maintained uninterrupted access critical weather analysis, monitoring, and forecasting systems, enabling it to provide updates to the public during the flood season.

LENOVO is a trademark of Lenovo. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2025 Lenovo

Read more about Lenovo’s Lifecycle Services

Read more about Lenovo’s work with the Sichuan Meteorological Bureau

Mastercard

What happens to local businesses after a hurricane passes?

A joint study by the Mastercard Economics Institute and The World Bank economist Leora Klapper found that merchants typically lose two days’ worth of sales they never recover. The data show the greatest predictor of sales recovery isn’t storm intensity, but merchant category. 

A digital sales channel, however, can make a difference.

Read more here.

About Mastercard

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

www.mastercard.com

Originally published by Mastercard

Follow along Mastercard’s journey to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.