Using Employees’ Skills, Toyota Financial Services and UnitedHealth Group Build Stronger Communities

Giving back: it’s an action that can be carried out in countless ways. For some, giving back means volunteering in their community. For others, it means donating money or goods to those who need it most. For Civic 50 sector leaders Toyota Financial Services and UnitedHealth Group, employees give back by exercising their corporate know-how and investing their time and talent in communities to provide the biggest impact. In matching community needs with employees’ corporate expertise, these companies have identified a way to both give back and continually engage employees. These employee volunteering initiatives helped propel TFS and UnitedHealth Group to the top of their sectors in The Civic 50, the annual initiative from Points of Light to recognize and honor the 50 most community-minded companies in the nation.

TFS led the financial sector in the 2016 Civic 50 thanks to their robust community involvement programs. One such program, Financial Empowerment Initiative, helps under-represented youth and local community members make informed financial decisions through training and tools. TFS extends the reach of its programs through partnerships with nationally recognized organizations, such as Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Girl Scouts, providing financial education support and guidance, along with leadership and life skills and college scholarships and internships to youth across the nation

To improve the effectiveness and reach of their programs, TFS turns to its greatest asset: its employees. Through the TFS Community Ambassador program, team members are empowered to build strategic partnerships with local nonprofits in their community and engage TFS team members to participate in community activities. This leadership development program enables team members to increase their aptitude in the workplace through skill development, while informally guiding and shaping a culture of service in the organization.

UnitedHealth Group, the Civic 50 health care sector leader, leverages its expertise in health promotion and research in order to help make the health care system work better for everyone. To share nationwide health insights, United Health Foundation – the company’s philanthropic arm – publishes America’s Health Rankings every year, assessing nation’s health on a state-by-state basis. This year the foundation published its 27^th report, tracking key trends and identifying ways to improve the health of different populations across the country on both the national and state level. Through these reports, which have covered the health of seniors, the health women and children, and the health of those who have served, UnitedHealth Group provides a blueprint for how other community-minded companies can use their expertise to influence positive change.

These two companies are using their corporate strengths to positively affect their communities. They scored highest in their sectors in the annual Civic 50 survey, which provides a framework and a roadmap for how companies can turn good intentions into sound business practices. Toyota Financial Services and UnitedHealth Group are just two examples of the many companies that are using their time, talent, and resources to improve the quality of life in the communities where they do business.

Do you work with a community-minded corporation that is a champion of corporate engagement and exemplifies the ideals of the Civic 50? Take the Civic 50 survey today at www.Civic50.org. Survey closes March 1, 2017. For more updates, follow the Civic 50 on LinkedIn and Twitter.