25 Companies That Are Good for the World and Your Wallet

Have you ever heard of "corporate social responsibility"? Many employers are applying it to their business operations and workers are looking for jobs that give them opportunities to practice it. So what is it?

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development defines corporate social responsibility as "the commitment of business to contribute to sustainable development, working with employees, their families, the local community and society at large to improve their quality of life." And more and more Americans are seeking it.

The majority of U.S. workers believe their employers do have a responsibility to the community -- both local and global. Nearly three quarters (seventy-two percent) of U.S. employees report that they believe their company should help people living in extreme poverty outside of the United States. This survey, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Millennium Promise and CareerBuilder.com, placed Africa highest on the list of places most in need of assistance -- in front of North America by a 30 percent margin

Organizations like Millennium Promise are creating avenues for U.S. companies to satisfy the global-minded interests of their employees through participation in the Millennium Villages project, a joint initiative with the Earth Institute at Columbia University and the U.N. Development Programme. 

Operating in 79 villages across 10 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Millennium Villages showcase community-led interventions and investments in health, food production, education, access to clean water, and essential infrastructure, that will enable impoverished villages to escape extreme poverty once and for all

"More than 1 billion people worldwide struggle to survive on less than $1 per day," said Dr. Jeffrey D. Sachs, author of "The End of Poverty" and President and Co-Founder of Millennium Promise, a non profit combating extreme poverty in Africa. "The survey is indicative of a growing global awareness.

While 87 percent of workers believe it's important for companies to give back to their local communities, the vast majority also believe it is important to extend that sense of caring and generosity to the global community and help to better the lives of men, women and children around the world."

Companies are finding creative and innovative ways for their employees to get involved with charitable efforts. Nearly half of workers (48 percent) report their companies contribute to charities or offer a corporate matching program. Other forms of participation can included, paid volunteer days, organized events and employer-matched contributions.

"We've found that being part of a global philanthropic effort really helps employees feel connected to the world and proud of where they work," said Ronnen Harary, Chairman and CEO of Spin Master Ltd., an internationally recognized children's entertainment company that develops and distributes innovative products around the world. "It's not just about a donation. Our employees have had a lot of fun raising money for Millennium Promise and learning about international issues through an employee-focused education campaign."

With seventy-two percent of workers saying they contribute to charities outside of their companies, and 35 percent saying they are more inclined to work for a company that makes philanthropic contributions, now more than ever it is important to find a employer that understands your interests.

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Comments

more companies need to be doing this stuff if we're going to survive

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