GPCVC Member and Civic 50 Honoree UPS:

Describe the main initiative(s) of your CSR program:

At UPS our main CSR is about putting equity at the center of everything we do to generate social impact. Our bold goal is to positively impact one billion lives by 2040 with a focus on four key areas: Health & Humanitarian Relief, Equity & Economic Empowerment, Local Community Engagement and Planet Protection (H.E.L.P).

One of the ways we plan to accomplish our goal is through The UPS Foundation and our Community Relations Teams. They will connect our employees with volunteer opportunities with non-profits that fit within the HELP focus areas. Volunteer opportunities include mentoring, coaching, assisting organizations during charity events, planting trees, and hosting donation drives.

A unique feature of our initiative is the ability to financially support by means of sponsorships and grants to non-profit organizations that our employees volunteer at as long as it fits within the HELP focus areas, even if not through the company program. Another unique initiative is the United Way campaign where we give our employees the opportunity to direct their funds to a specific organization of their choice through United Way. This year alone our employees have pledged over $44 million!

What are some of the key learning you gained, through participation in the Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia?

Participating in the Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia helped shed light on UPS’ Community Relations impact by viewing our work through different lenses. In many ways it provided validation and affirmation that we are directionally correct with how our philanthropic giving is being distributed throughout the Philadelphia area. In other ways it helped identify a few growth areas that otherwise may have been overlooked. By having this information, the UPS Community Relations Team will use it as a guide to strategize next year’s plans internally engaging with employees as well as externally with non-profits.

What would you share with a company that is debating whether to take the Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia next year?

The Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia is a great opportunity that will help deepen your organizations CSR goals by providing data and metrics in ways that are easy to understand and actionable. Also, regardless of how the program ranks or measures, it is beneficial to be connected to other community minded companies where knowledge and resources can be shared. Overall, participating in the Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia will not just have an impact on your company, it will also have an impact our underserved communities.