2024 Citizens Awards Finalists

Celebrating 25 years, the Citizens Awards honors the best in corporate citizenship and highlights businesses of all sizes that are serving as a force for good. We are proud to announce this year's finalists, demonstrating extraordinary leadership in driving solutions to the world’s biggest problems.

Best Corporate Steward: Large Business 

Pinnacol Assurance 

Pinnacol, a leading workers’ compensation insurance carrier, serves nearly 1 million workers and 54,000 businesses. Committed to safety and community impact, Pinnacol has invested over $7.2 million and more than 4,300 volunteer hours since 2020. The company also invests in its own employees to foster a strong work culture and creates opportunities for students through a nationally recognized apprenticeship program. 

Tata Consultancy Services 

Tata Consultancy Services empowers individuals and communities by creating opportunities in the digital economy for women, youth, and marginalized groups. With a diverse workforce of more than 600,000 across 55 countries, TCS has reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 80% and invested $571 million in social impact since 2020. The company has empowered 15.9 million people globally with literacy education and digital skills. 

UnitedHealth Group 

The United Health Foundation’s Diversity in Health Care Scholarship program is part of a $100 million, 10-year commitment, to help grow a culturally relevant health workforce by funding scholarships for over 1,300 health professionals and students in 2023. Since 2011, UnitedHealth Grouphas invested over $1 billion in affordable housing and $25 million to expand health care access and create jobs in low-income communities. 

Best Corporate Steward: Small and Middle Market Business 

glassybaby LLC 

glassybaby, founded by cancer survivor and mother of three, Lee Rhodes, is dedicated to community giving. Inspired during treatment, Rhodes established the company to support those in need. Since then, glassybaby has donated over $15 million to nonprofits focused on healing people, animals, and the planet. The company continues to craft hand-blown glass votives in 250 colors, each with their own name and story. 

Imagine Deliver 

Based in Minneapolis, Imagine Deliver uses its User as Designer® approach to redesign American cities by addressing urban challenges, eradicating disparities, and building resilient communities. The firm’s innovative strategies focus on urban development, healthcare, and public systems, driving transformative change through social impact and collaboration. 

Vector Global Logistics 

Created by Vector Global Logistics, the Logistics With Purpose® program integrates charity with every shipment, providing meals, medical care, and other assistance. Its Leveraging Logistics for Ukraine initiative has shipped over 1 million pounds of aid and collected 2,400 children's letters. The company also supports unlimited volunteering and spotlights individuals on their podcast who are using the supply chain to change the world. 

Best Civic Engagement Program 

Gilbert Chamber of Commerce Foundation 

The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce Foundation hosts A Civic Event each quarter, supported by Citizen University. These gatherings foster community connection through art, music, food, and dialogue on topics like voting and civil rights. Participants leave feeling empowered and engaged, contributing to a more connected and informed community while enhancing civic education for the preservation of democracy. 

Microsoft 

Microsoft’s Democracy Forward Initiative aims to protect open and secure democratic processes and ensure information integrity through technology and partnerships. It helps defend against cyber attacks and promotes civic engagement. Externally, Microsoft partners with organizations like National Voter Registration Day to enhance voter information and registration. Internally, the Civic Engagement Hub helps employees activate around issues that matter to them.  

The Travelers Companies, Inc. 

Citizen Travelers empowers over 30,000 employees, and agents and brokers to actively participate in our democracy. The nonpartisan program promotes civic engagement through volunteering, get out the vote efforts, a webinar series, internal resource portal and supports employees running for local office. Citizen Travelers has also developed a Playbook for how others can build similar programs. Through these efforts, the initiative reinforces Travelers’ commitment to being a corporation of good citizens. 

Best Commitment to Education Program 

DuPont  

The Delaware Department of Education, DuPont, and Discovery Education partnered in 2021 to enhance STEM education in middle and high schools, supporting career and technical education pathways. DuPont supports 95 public schools, and over 42,000 educators and students in Delaware have utilized the resources. DuPont's efforts through the STEM Careers Coalition impacted over 10 million students across more than 6,500 schools in the U.S. during the 2022-2023 school year. 

i2M  

The Crestwood Creators program, developed by i2M, bridges education and industry by providing hands-on manufacturing experience from elementary through high school. Through mentorship, technical training, and real-world projects, students gain valuable skills and are prepared for high-paying careers in manufacturing upon graduation. This initiative reflects i2M's commitment to empowering future innovators and fostering sustainable growth within the industry. 

Samsung Electronics America 

Launched in 2010, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a national STEM competition for U.S. public middle and high schools. It challenges students to use STEM skills to develop solutions for local issues, inspiring students to innovate for their communities and cultivating a diverse and skilled workforce. Over 15 years, the program has awarded over $27 million in technology and supplies to more than 4,000 schools. 

The West Virginia Chamber Foundation 

Jobs for West Virginia’s Graduates, sponsored by the West Virginia Chamber Foundation, guides students towards high school graduation and equips them with essential employability skills to eliminate barriers to success. With a 100% graduation rate and 78% employment rate, this program is shaping West Virginia's future workforce and increasing prosperity for all. 

Best Community Improvement Program 

Creature Comforts Brewing Company 

The Get Comfortable initiative in Athens, Georgia, is a partnership between the business community, local leadership, the University of Georgia, the Clarke County School District, and Books For Keeps, designed to improve early literacy and increase 3^rd grade reading proficiency. After three years of profound literacy gains during the pilot, the program will begin to expand into additional schools during the Fall 2024 academic term. 

Johnson Outdoors  

In 2022, Johnson Outdoors partnered with the National Wildlife Federation to launch the Clean Earth Challenge. Over two years, the Clean Earth Challenge mobilized more than 100,000 participants and removed over 8 million pieces of debris. This partnership has expanded through National Wildlife Federation programs, corporate partners, and nonprofits, highlighting the power of collective impact to protect our planet. 

The PNC Financial Services Group 

PartnerUp®: Empowered by PNC, prepares high school students for careers by guiding them in building resumes, interviewing techniques, and more. PartnerUp helps students land in-demand jobs while connecting employers to an expanded labor force. Through this program, PNC has engaged over 60 schools, 30 employers, helped over 6,000 students, and hired more than 140 PartnerUp graduates.  

Best Community Resilience and Disaster Response Program 

American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine (AmCham Ukraine)  

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine has helped more than 600 member companies operate, invest, employ, and create opportunities, showing the world they are resilient, and that Ukraine continues to be open for business. It escalated pressing war-related issues to the top of the Ukrainian and U.S. governments, facilitated humanitarian relief efforts, and now prepares for veteran reintegration in the workplace.  

AT&T  

AT&T’s Climate Risk and Resilience Portal offers free, localized climate data to aid community planners and disaster mitigation officials in creating informed plans. With over 30 years of experience and more than $1 billion invested in the program, AT&T restores connectivity post-disasters using assets like portable cell sites and satellite solutions. These efforts ensure communities are better prepared for future climate risks.    

Flexport.org  

In response to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, Flexport.org has raised more than $25M to provide over 1,000 shipments of aid for more than 8 million Ukrainians. The organization has also provided $1.27 million of in-kind funding for Project C.U.R.E., allowing them to deliver lifesaving medical supplies and equipment to hospitals throughout Ukraine. 

Google 

Google's Flood Hub is an AI-powered platform providing real-time flood forecasts for over 460 million people across 80 countries. By predicting riverine floods up to 7 days in advance, it has significantly improved accuracy in Africa and Asia, matching predictions in Europe and North America. Google's Flood Hub helps communities and first responders make informed decisions, saving lives and livelihoods. 

New York Life Foundation  

Since 2018, First Book and the New York Life Foundation have increased access to bereavement books and resources for children experiencing grief, loss, and healing in the wake of community-wide tragedies. This partnership empowers educators to select the books and resources that their students need most. The two partners have distributed nearly 207,000 books, reached more than 15,000 educators, and impacted over 670,00 students.  

Best Economic Opportunity and Empowerment Program 

Capital One 

Capital One partnered with the National College Attainment Network and 15 member organizations to support FAFSA completion in 20 cities across the country. The program used Capital One Cafés for free FAFSA workshops and offered 24/7 text message support through Mainstay's platform, guiding students on FAFSA-related topics and automatically answering questions.  

Entergy Corporation 

Entergy’s summer high bill relief campaign helped customers cope with rising utility costs during the hottest summer on record. In response to soaring inflation and increased fuel costs, Entergy collaborated with employees, community partners, and regulators to implement initiatives that alleviated the financial burden on customers and helped protect the health and safety of the most vulnerable individuals. 

The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America  

Launched in April 2023, Guardian's Minding Your Money: Skills for Life™ program goes beyond financial literacy for high school students, building confidence and decision-making skills, with Guardian employees also volunteering to guide discussions. Focused on underserved communities, the program has already educated over 20,000 students in 398 schools across 19 states, with a goal to reach 40,000 students by next year. 

Best Health and Wellness Program 

Edward Jones 

Since 2016, Edward Jones has been the National Presenting Sponsor for the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s, raising $45 million toward a $50 million goal by 2025. With over 111,000 participants in more than 600 walks annually, the initiative supports Alzheimer’s care, research, and educational resources, aligning with Edward Jones' commitment to promoting healthier futures. 

Subaru of America, Inc. 

As part of Subaru Loves to Help, the company partnered with Operation Warm to provide new coats, shoes, and socks to families in need. In the first year, over 600 Subaru retailers distributed items to more than 150,000 children, helping them stay protected, warm, and dry, and improving their mental and emotional wellbeing at the same time.  

Teva Pharmaceuticals, USA, Inc.  

Community Routes: Access to Mental Health Care, supported by Teva, Direct Relief, and the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, enhances mental and behavioral health care for underserved populations. This initiative also provides grants and donations of generic medicines to free and charitable clinics, improving access to treatment for depression and anxiety among uninsured patients.

Best Sustainability Program 

Cascade 

Cascade is helping people save water, energy, and time by encouraging them to skip the pre-rinse when using Cascade Platinum Plus. Through communication campaigns, Cascade is dispelling the myth that running the dishwasher is less efficient than washing dishes by hand. These efforts are driving consumer habit change, showing you can save over 20 gallons of water per load and reduce energy consumption by 75%.  

Ecore International  

Ecore's TRUcircularity program upcycles rubber waste, contributing to the circular economy by transforming discarded rubber into valuable products. This initiative diverts waste from landfills, reduces the need for new raw materials, and minimizes environmental impact. Ecore's approach to sustainability addresses environmental challenges and drives positive change, promoting a greener future through innovative waste management practices. 

Southwest Airlines 

Repurpose with Purpose is Southwest Airlines'® global sustainability initiative that upcycles aircraft seat leather, keeping it out of landfills. Since its 2014 launch, the program has donated over $2 million and 1.4 million pounds of leather, providing employment, skills training, and other benefits to communities worldwide, while also enhancing aircraft fuel efficiency by updating its seat design.