Most people see large businesses as faceless corporations. They're entities that do nothing more than take people's money in the exchange of goods, simply to fatten the pockets of the big guy in charge. For the customers, there's no personal connection, and the entire transaction process comes down to mere dollars and cents...
While that's undoubtably the case for some, if not the majority of companies, there are the rare few that uphold the honorable values established before the company made it big. Interestingly enough, it's happening from the most unlikely of sources.
Alcoa
The majority of us have probably never heard of the New York-based company that specializes in lightweight metals engineering and manufacturing, but they're worth knowing. Unlike companies such as Walmart that give large monetary values that are a very small percentage of their overall profits, Alcoa's donations make a serious dent in their revenue. According to Forbes the company earned $14.06 billion in 2013 and donated 12.1 percent of their total revenue. It made them the most generous US company in 2013.
Through partnerships with outside organizations and their own Alcoa Foundation, the money donated from the company goes towards advancing sustainability research, environmental education and protection, and various other social efforts. Since 1952, they have donated more than $590 million to "improve the environment and educate tomorrow's leaders."
Adam and Eve
It turns out that one company selling those taboo toys is in fact, not ruining society. Instead, they're actually working really hard to make it better.
At Adam and Eve, a whopping 20 percent of their net profits benefit charitable organizations and community outreach. Staying true their roots, one of the biggest social movements they support is improving sexual education and health on a local and international level. Through their involvement with organizations such as DKT International, they're able to supply sexual education and critical resources like contraception to over 20 countries. The goal is to "improve overall family health, lower infant and maternal mortality and improve prosperity
The Green Bay Packers
Unless you were born a Packers fan (or dared questioned the integrity of the franchise to a hardcore Cheesehead), you may not know that the franchise operates as a non-profit. Instead of having one owner, the franchise has a 112,000. As The New Yorker explains, the organization has remained the only fan-owned operation since the 1920s. However, instead of each fan receiving a chunk of the franchise profits, proceeds are either reinvested in the team or distributed to charitable organizations. Through the Green Bay Packers Foundation, the team has successfully donated more than $4.8 million for charitable purposes since its establishment in 1986.
New Yorker writer Dave Zirin said that Green Bay serves as a "frightening example that pro sports can aid our cities in tough economic times, not drain them of scarce public resources."
We've been programmed to be cynical about the intentions of larger corporations over the years. However, it's refreshing to know that occasionally you can find those still trying to use their success for good, even when it goes unnoticed.
***
Written by: Brenda Hall
While that's undoubtably the case for some, if not the majority of companies, there are the rare few that uphold the honorable values established before the company made it big. Interestingly enough, it's happening from the most unlikely of sources.
Alcoa
The majority of us have probably never heard of the New York-based company that specializes in lightweight metals engineering and manufacturing, but they're worth knowing. Unlike companies such as Walmart that give large monetary values that are a very small percentage of their overall profits, Alcoa's donations make a serious dent in their revenue. According to Forbes the company earned $14.06 billion in 2013 and donated 12.1 percent of their total revenue. It made them the most generous US company in 2013.
Through partnerships with outside organizations and their own Alcoa Foundation, the money donated from the company goes towards advancing sustainability research, environmental education and protection, and various other social efforts. Since 1952, they have donated more than $590 million to "improve the environment and educate tomorrow's leaders."
Adam and Eve
It turns out that one company selling those taboo toys is in fact, not ruining society. Instead, they're actually working really hard to make it better.
At Adam and Eve, a whopping 20 percent of their net profits benefit charitable organizations and community outreach. Staying true their roots, one of the biggest social movements they support is improving sexual education and health on a local and international level. Through their involvement with organizations such as DKT International, they're able to supply sexual education and critical resources like contraception to over 20 countries. The goal is to "improve overall family health, lower infant and maternal mortality and improve prosperity
The Green Bay Packers
Unless you were born a Packers fan (or dared questioned the integrity of the franchise to a hardcore Cheesehead), you may not know that the franchise operates as a non-profit. Instead of having one owner, the franchise has a 112,000. As The New Yorker explains, the organization has remained the only fan-owned operation since the 1920s. However, instead of each fan receiving a chunk of the franchise profits, proceeds are either reinvested in the team or distributed to charitable organizations. Through the Green Bay Packers Foundation, the team has successfully donated more than $4.8 million for charitable purposes since its establishment in 1986.
New Yorker writer Dave Zirin said that Green Bay serves as a "frightening example that pro sports can aid our cities in tough economic times, not drain them of scarce public resources."
We've been programmed to be cynical about the intentions of larger corporations over the years. However, it's refreshing to know that occasionally you can find those still trying to use their success for good, even when it goes unnoticed.
***
Written by: Brenda Hall
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