Tag: 3BL

More Than 11,000 Lives Transformed Through the Donation of Manual Washing Machines in Low-Income and Displaced Communities

In March 2024, Whirlpool Foundation President Pam Klyn traveled from Benton Harbor, Mich., to Puducherry, India, with a small Whirlpool Corporation team. They were there to take an important step in addressing the challenge that 60 percent of the world faces – washing clothes by hand, largely due to unreliable access to electricity and water. Previously, Whirlpool had explored ways to address this need but found the distribution of manual washing machines in remote locations to be particularly complex.

The group from Whirlpool were guests of Navjot Sawhney, founder and CEO of The Washing Machine Project. The two organizations came together in 2023 after discovering they had a shared mission. Sawhney, an engineer, had developed a manual washing machine to help lessen the burden of hand washing clothes, a burden that falls primarily on women and girls. The Washing Machine Project was there to distribute manual washing machines, the first in this area, and this moment would prove pivotal for the Puducherry community, where Whirlpool has operations, and for both organizations.

Whirlpool began supporting The Washing Machine Project to help address the global washing divide after realizing the potential impact of their combined resources, talents and efforts. The Washing Machine Project needed support in manufacturing manual washing machines at scale, and Whirlpool, which had previously developed its own manual washing machine, needed distribution support. Together, they could scale and reach populations who could greatly benefit from these time-saving machines.

“By teaming up with Whirlpool, we are able to have a much bigger impact. We are so grateful for their support. Together, we are committed to bridging the global washing divide and paving the way for a more equitable and prosperous future for women and girls around the world.”

“By teaming up with Whirlpool, we are able to have a much bigger impact,” said Sawhney. “We are so grateful for their support. Together, we are committed to bridging the global washing divide and paving the way for a more equitable and prosperous future for women and girls around the world.”

In the past year, 340 Whirlpool employee volunteers donated nearly 4,000 hours to build 645 manual washing machines using a manual assembly line thoughtfully developed by company volunteers. Whirlpool employees also participated in “Washout” events, where they were able to experience how grueling it can be to hand wash clothes, helping them build empathy with the majority of the global population who have no alternative but to do their laundry by hand. The Washing Machine Project and Whirlpool have distributed these machines to communities in India, Mexico, the Republic of Congo and Ghana – impacting over 11,000 lives and counting.

“Our employees have been fully engaged and generous with their time to help build manual washing machines because they understand the profound impact this innovation can have to help women and girls worldwide reclaim time and improve their lives,” said Klyn. “We have had an overwhelming response, and our employees are anxious to continue supporting this work with The Washing Machine Project.”

One such success story has been the Pottery Collective in Chiapas, Mexico. The Pottery Collective is made up of five households – around 20 people – who share a manual washing machine in their communal yard. Having a manual washing machine has freed up time for income-generating activities, allowing co-op members to focus on their pottery work and other tasks that enhance their livelihoods. This is one of many examples illustrating how this collaboration is helping women reclaim their time and improve their lives.

In April 2025, the collaboration between Whirlpool and The Washing Machine Project was recognized with a Gold Halo Award for Best Employee Engagement Initiative by Engage for Good. Whirlpool and The Washing Machine Project are also finalists for a National Manufacturing Leadership Award in the Collaborative Ecosystems category.

Whirlpool Foundation

Since 1952, the Whirlpool Foundation has been making real, positive differences in local communities where Whirlpool Corporation families live and work. This is accomplished through two central pillars: House+Home. “House” supports a decent and affordable place to live and plan for the future, and “Home” focuses on creating thriving, resilient communities with the essential services, quality education, and job training needed to help people dream bigger and do better. The Foundation has an absolute commitment to equality and fairness and takes an innovative approach to social investing that prioritizes impact with measurable results.

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• National Economic Development Week, May 12-16, recognizes the contributions made by local economic development programs
• Since 2020, the Economic Development team has helped expand or attract 57 companies to Florida, drawing more than 6,691 jobs and over $2 billion in capital investment to the state

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., May 27, 2025 /3BL/ – In honor of National Economic Development Week, May 12-16, Duke Energy highlighted the importance of its economic development program and the contributions made to Florida’s local economy throughout the years.

“Our Economic Development team has helped strengthen the communities we serve through their local knowledge and dedication to Florida’s success,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “Duke Energy is committed to creating economically vibrant communities and we look forward to exploring new innovative programs that will benefit all of Florida.”

Since 2020, the Duke Energy Economic Development team has helped expand or attract 57 companies to Florida, drawing more than 6,691 jobs and over $2 billion in capital investment to the state.

For 21 consecutive years, Duke Energy’s economic development efforts and programs have been recognized by Site Selection Magazine in the publication’s annual list of “Top Utilities in Economic Development.”

Some of the programs include:

• Site Readiness Program: Through the Site Readiness Program, Duke Energy identifies high-potential sites and partners with county officials, local economic development professionals and landowners to develop a strategy for getting sites fully ready to market to industrial prospects. In Florida, the Site Readiness Program has resulted in 1,650 new jobs and over $545 million in capital investment in Florida since 2013.
   
• Economic Development Grants: In 2024, Duke Energy Florida provided more than $890,000 in economic development grants to organizations in support of marketing, research, strategic planning, lead generation, product development and other initiatives. The funding was provided by Duke Energy Foundation, with help from Duke Energy Florida’s Economic Development group, which supports organizations that increase awareness of a community or region’s economic development strategies.
   
• Project Management: Energy can be one of the most significant drivers in a company’s location decision. Duke Energy’s team of professional project managers partner with local, county, regional and state economic development organizations to serve as the voice of energy in expansion and recruitment projects considering Florida. This program offers a wide range of resources to empower community partners, making them more competitive for business investment and growth.

“We are very fortunate to have so many professionals, leaders and businesses that are dedicated to supporting and growing Florida’s economy,” said Beth Cicchetti, executive director of the Florida Economic Development Council. “Duke Energy is one of those key players and we are proud to work alongside their Economic Development team to drive the state forward as a more competitive place to launch and grow a business.”

Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida. 

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage.

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.

Media contact: Laitin Sterling
Media line: 800.559.3853

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Congratulations to Maria Spina, manager of our PSEG Foundation & Corporate Social Responsibility, who has been recognized as a 2025 Innovate100 honoree!

Through her leadership, Maria has helped build lasting partnerships and programs that uplift our communities and expand access to opportunity.

We’re grateful to have her on our team – and proud to see her impact recognized. Congratulations, Maria!

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Seminario web complementario:

Divulgaciones de CDP- Consejos de Planificación para la Divulgación Exitosa de Informes en el 2025

5 de junio del 2025 10AM EST

Regístrate aquí

A medida que se acerca la temporada de informes de CDP del 2025, asegurarse de que su organización esté bien preparada es crucial para una divulgación exitosa. Únase a nuestro próximo seminario web “Divulgaciones de CDP- Consejos de Planificación para la Divulgación Exitosa de Informes en el 2025”, donde nuestros expertos brindarán información procesable para ayudarlo a navegar por los últimos cambios y optimizar su estrategia de informes. Esta sesión está diseñada para equipar a los profesionales de la sostenibilidad con el conocimiento necesario para mejorar su rendimiento de CDP en el ciclo de informes del 2025 y más allá.​

Principales temas a tratar:

• Comprender las actualizaciones del cuestionario CDP 2025: Obtenga información sobre los cambios significativos introducidos en un formato de cuestionario integrado y sus implicaciones para su organización.

• Estrategias para mejorar la calidad de la divulgación: Aprenda pasos prácticos para mejorar el entendimiento y precisión de sus respuestas.

• Alinearse con los estándares de sostenibilidad emergentes: Explore cómo sincronizar sus informes de CDP con marcos como NIIF S2

• Cómo mejorar los resultados de rendimiento: Mejore su puntuación comprendiendo cómo funcionan las nuevas directrices de puntuación y los errores comunes que mantienen a las empresas “atascadas” con puntuaciones más bajas.

No pierda esta oportunidad de obtener orientación experta y posicionar a su organización para el éxito de CDP en el 2025. Regístrate aquí

Our CEO, Vincent Pilette, shared his personal story with Fortune, and it’s not your typical path to the top. He explains that titles never defined him. Impact did. That mindset led him to Gen and where he is today. Read more about his honest look at how being bold can open unexpected doors, and how not all career paths are linear: https://fortune.com/2025/05/12/ceo-cfo-succession-planning-gen-digital/.

May 23, 2025 /3BL/ – Kimberly-Clark announced the recipients of its Bright Futures college scholarships, awarding 30 high school seniors from across North America. These students, children of Kimberly-Clark employees, were selected based on their academic achievements, leadership qualities, work experience, and extracurricular activities.

Now in its 33rd year, the Bright Futures program provides scholarship grants worth up to $20,000, or $5,000 per school year, for full-time students attending accredited colleges and universities. Administered by the Kimberly-Clark Foundation, the program has awarded nearly $50 million in scholarships to more than 2,400 students since its inception.

“The Bright Futures scholarship program exemplifies our commitment to developing the next generation of leaders. These students have demonstrated exceptional dedication to their studies and communities, and we are proud to support their journey toward academic and professional success,” said Kurt Laufer, Interim President, Kimberly-Clark North America. “We believe in their potential to make a significant impact in the world, and we are excited to see what they will achieve.”

The average GPA for this year’s Bright Futures scholarship class is 3.98. Awardees will attend leading colleges and universities, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Wheaton College, the Georgia Institute of Technology, and the University of Wisconsin. Past scholarship recipients have gone on to pursue successful careers in medicine, education, the armed forces, and engineering.

For more information on this year’s award recipients, click here.

About the Kimberly-Clark Foundation

Established in 1952, the Kimberly-Clark Foundation is the charitable arm of Kimberly-Clark Corporation and is dedicated to supporting global causes that create lasting social change.  Together with funding from the corporation and employees, its primary focus is on social impact investments that help advance essential care for women and girls on their journeys through puberty and motherhood.

Originally published on GoDaddy Newsroom

TEMPE, Ariz., May 23, 2025 /3BL/ – A new survey by GoDaddy (NYSE: GDDY) found the latest quirky shopping habits Gen Z and Millennials have adopted are changing the landscape of commerce — with some possibly unintended consequences.

In the latest GoDaddy Consumer Pulse* survey of 1,500 U.S. consumers, half of Gen Z (54%) and Millennials (50%) polled in March prefer shopping methods that allow them to avoid other people, like Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store, self-checkout or online shopping, over shopping methods that let them interact with others. Fewer than 1 in 3 (29%) Gen X and Boomers feel the same way.

Younger consumers’ priorities appear to starkly contrast with older generations. The new data shows night-and-day differences in the ways these younger generations shop.

• Bots over humans: 15% of Gen Z and 10% of Millennials prefer talking to a chatbot over a human customer service representative, compared to 3% of Gen X and Boomers.
• Curbside pickup or bust: The majority of Gen Z (86%) and Millennials (76%) purchase items online for in-store or curbside pickup at least once per month, with 1 in 4 Gen Z (23%) and Millennials (27%) doing so weekly. This is in contrast to half of Gen X and Boomers (51%) who never purchase items online to pick up at or in the store.
• Budgetless shopping: About 4 in 10 Gen Z (39%) and Millennials (43%) have used Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) to purchase items they couldn’t afford, compared to 22% of Gen X and Boomers. Only 16% of consumers have never used BNPL.
• Working hard or hardly working? Gen Z and Millennials shopping habits know no time bounds, particularly during the workday. Half of Gen Z (54%) and Millennials (50%) report they shop online while at work, compared to only 18% of Gen X and Boomers.
• Digital wallets > credit cards: 54% of Gen Z and 41% of Millennials have skipped completing a purchase due to a business not accepting digital wallets, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay, compared to Gen X or Boomers (17%). 1 in 10 (10%) Gen Z only use their phone to pay for items when shopping in-person, with 5% of Gen Z reporting they don’t even carry a physical wallet anymore. In contrast, more than 1 in 4 (27%) Gen X and Boomers have never used digital wallets.
• Big or little lies? Around 1 in 4 Gen Z (27%) and Millennials (25%) said they have lied to be able to return an item they purchased, compared to 11% of Gen X and Boomers.

“Gen Z and Millennials want to shop online from their phones and be left alone, which makes providing an automated, personalized, yet hands-off experience for consumers all the more vital,” said Alex Avramenko, head of commerce growth at GoDaddy. “Is your online store truly mobile-friendly? Is it easy to find options for digital wallet payments or in-store pickup? These aren’t just trends. Consumers have consistently shown their desire for simple, convenient ways to shop and pay will make or break a sale, and small businesses need to adopt this new vision of what doing business looks like.”

The different generations do agree on some things.

• POS devices could be more user-friendly: More than half (51%) of consumers have felt anxious when paying for items in-person because of the point-of-sale (POS) device at the checkout, most commonly because they weren’t sure how to use the device. This was felt more strongly by younger consumers, with 66% of Gen Z and 58% of Millennials and 44% of Gen X and Boomers feeling anxious at checkouts.
• The physical wallet still reigns in retail: When shopping in-person, most consumers (59%) report carrying a physical wallet and exclusively paying with physical credit cards. However, 41% of consumers at least occasionally use their phone to pay for goods in-person.
• Death of the laptop: More than half (56%) of consumers choose to use their phone when making larger online purchases of $150 or more, whereas only 36% would use their laptop, and just 8% prefer a tablet. Younger consumers are slightly more likely to prefer shop on their phones, with 70% of Gen Z and 63% of Millennials preferring to pay via a smartphone, vs. 49% of Gen X and Boomers.
• Parking is not a dealbreaker: Most consumers (61%) said a lack of easy parking nearby does not factor into whether they will shop at a store. Although some people care about parking a lot. 4 in 10 shoppers (39%) report that they will not shop at that store that doesn’t have easy parking nearby.

The data is clear—to capture consumer sales, small businesses need to sell online. This means businesses with a brick-and-mortar store need to sell both online and in-person.

Small businesses that don’t have an online store can tap into the power of AI and use GoDaddy Airo® to build a website, generate a digital product catalog and more in minutes. For retailers looking for ways to provide more online conveniences, GoDaddy offers user-friendly smart point-of-sale terminals to enable younger consumer favorites like Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store and Tap-to-Pay.

To learn more about GoDaddy and its products, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

*GoDaddy Consumer Pulse is a series of surveys of consumers ages 18 and above conducted throughout the year.

About GoDaddy
GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, 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.

Source: GoDaddy Inc.

AEG’s Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA has become the first major sports and entertainment venue in the U.S. to fully transition to 100 percent reusable drinkware, replacing single-use cups with a system designed to drastically reduce waste. The bright yellow bins throughout the arena’s concourse are part of a larger environmental initiative to keep plastics out of landfills.

Since launching the program in 2024 in partnership with r.World, the nation’s #1 reuse provider, the arena has already diverted hundreds of thousands of single-use cups.

The reusable cup program is just one component of a larger sustainability push by AEG, which owns the arena that is home to the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, the NHL’s LA Kings and the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks.

As the WNBA season kicks off and summer events roll in, the arena aims to keep sustainability at the forefront of its operations. With every cup collected, sorted, and reused, Crypto.com Arena is leading the charge toward a more sustainable future.

See more on Crypto.com Arena’s reusable cup program featured in this Spectrum News 1 article.

In 2023, Covia relaunched its summer internship program, offering ten-week opportunities in marketing, engineering, operations, and other functional roles to its first cohort of interns. Last year, Covia welcomed another ten college students from across the United States. This impactful initiative yielded positive results, with four interns advancing to full-time positions within the organization.

Now, in the third cohort, we are excited to welcome twelve new interns from notable institutions, including the University of Cincinnati, North Carolina State University, Virginia Tech, the University of Alabama, Cleveland State University, Colorado State University, Purdue University, and the University of Arkansas. As these talented young individuals embark on their three-month journey with Covia, we eagerly anticipate their professional growth across diverse operational and functional departments. The program provides educational and hands-on experiences, fostering connections among peers and with industry professionals during “Thank Goodness It’s Internship Friday” (TGIIF) networking events. We are committed to supporting their development as they prepare for future careers, equipping them with the practical skills and invaluable networking opportunities they need to advance in their professional careers.

Please join us in welcoming Covia’s Summer 2025 interns!

Gavin Antonini – Virginia Tech

Max Bante – University of Arkansas

Harrison Bavone – Purdue University

John Beyer – North Carolina State University

Kevin Frye – Colorado State University

Nick Galanis – Virginia Tech

Oliver Monrose – University of Alabama

Joshua Zenick – University of Alabama

Soren Olsen – Virginia Tech

Madalynn Rola – North Carolina State University

Lucas Steuk – University of Cincinnati

Kenny Webb – Cleveland State University

 

Learn more about our culture at Covia here.

Recently at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Entergy proudly continued its partnership with the American Indian College Fund, or the College Fund, by announcing a significant grant aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for Native American students. 2025 marks the 11th year of this collaboration. Entergy’s support has been essential in helping Native American students pursue impactful careers and thrive as influential leaders in their communities.

During the festival, Entergy Louisiana President and CEO Phillip May, alongside Entergy New Orleans President and CEO Deanna Rodriguez, presented a $35,000 grant to the College Fund and the Chief of the United Houma Nation. This investment is set to provide scholarships for students as they embark on their academic journeys, empowering them to create positive change within their communities.

“Our decade-long partnership with the American Indian College Fund underscores our commitment to empowering Native American communities,” said May. “It’s a meaningful part of our Louisiana 100 plan, which prioritizes education, opportunity and long-term investment.”

“Education is a powerful tool for transformation—not just for individuals, but entire communities,” said Rodriguez. “Entergy New Orleans is committed to helping our youth overcome educational barriers and reach their full potential. We are proud to partner with the American Indian College Fund and the United Houma Nation to support the next generation of leaders and change-makers.”

Since the inception of this partnership in 2015, Entergy has contributed over $350,000 in scholarships, positively impacting more than 160 students. Native American individuals remain among the most underrepresented groups in higher education, with a bachelor’s degree attainment rate of less than half the national average.

Every year, the College Fund is a beacon of support for more than 5,000 students, helping them navigate their educational paths and achieve their degrees. The organization aims for a graduation rate of 60% for all scholars by 2025 and has awarded more than 160,000 scholarships, totaling over $349 million since its founding in 1989.

Entergy’s mission, “We Power Life,” extends beyond the delivery of essential energy services. We are committed to fostering the growth and well-being of the communities we serve through vital programs and initiatives. By investing in philanthropic efforts, encouraging volunteerism, supporting our low-income customers, and driving economic development initiatives, Entergy is dedicated to nurturing healthy, educated, environmentally sustainable, and thriving communities. Discover more about our community initiatives here.