Doing Good and Doing Well

What happens when 50 U.S. companies contribute more than $1.4 billion and 10.1 million volunteer hours in communities around the country? A perfect trifecta that helps solve community issues, gives employees a stronger sense of purpose, and creates better business conditions in places where companies operate.

Last week, Points of Light announced The Civic 50 2017 Winners, a list of the most community-minded companies in the nation. What’s unique about this list is its focus on the effect the private sector has on quality of life in the communities where they do business. U.S. companies with revenues of $1 billion+ are selected based on four dimensions of community engagement: investment, integration, institutionalization and impact.

Adobe is proud to be one of 15 companies on The Civic 50 each year since its inception. For every company on the list, community investment is not only the right thing to do, it’s also a means of strengthening talent acquisition and retention, as well as affinity among customers, investors and other key stakeholders.

Adobe’s approach to community starts with empowering our employees and nonprofit partners to create positive change. In 2016 alone, we invested $37.9 million in our communities by:

• matching the generosity of our employees’ donations of time, cash and securities – up to $10,000 per employee per year
• giving employees opportunities to volunteer their time and skills to the causes they care about; in 2016, they delivered more than $1.2 million worth of hours to nonprofits through pro bono projects
• providing grants and product donations to nonprofits. At 19 of Adobe’s largest sites, employees get to decide where to direct community grants from the Adobe Foundation based on local needs.

In addition, more than half the grants made by the Adobe Foundation in 2016 were in support of education initiatives that provide underrepresented youth with media and coding skills, as well as pathways to technology careers. These investments are a key part of Adobe’s overall investments in diversity and inclusion, which we also support through an array of employee networks and clubs. This month, the AdobeProud network led an effort to unify employees during Pride Month, helping galvanize our global workforce around our commitment to equality and opportunity for everyone.

Community-minded companies can be a force for positive change, and we are proud of the impact we’re making around the world. Thanks to Points of Light for tracking the impact of the Civic 50, and to businesses everywhere who view community involvement as part of the foundation.