Giving with Purpose
starts here. IGS IMPACT | COMMUNITY GIVING
Letter from
the President Over the past 26 years, I’ve seen IGS grow and change, but our incredible culture of passionate employees has always remained the same. As a family-owned business, our employees support each other, just like family. And it’s our “family” that has made IGS a leader in the industry. While success is important, IGS employees don’t stop there. Last year, 75% of them participated in volunteer activities, not because we asked them to, but because they have an ingrained desire to do great things in their communities.
Their passion inspires me to do more. It has always been my belief that as a successful organization, we have an obligation to give back. The creation of our community investment program, IGS Impact, is an extension of that belief. This initiative not only impacts our communities, but it also invests in our people. There are so many great things to be gained from helping others, and our employees are encouraged to do so…on company time. Because I know that when our employees feel fulfilled, they’re better at their jobs, and ultimately, more motivated to do great things in the world. We have big plans in place to continue making a difference. That’s why I’m excited to share with you our first Community Giving Report, which outlines all of the amazing things we’ve accomplished so far. But we’re far from reaching our goals. Read on to learn more about where we’ve been and where we’re going.
Thank you for your support!
SCOTT WHITE | President and CEO, IGS
97% of IGS employees
feel that company-led volunteer projects enhance their experience as an employee
IGS ENERGY CORPORATE OFFICE Dublin, Ohio
It’s been an incredible process to work with employees throughout the organization to build our community program from the ground up. At every level of the organization, our employees are extremely thoughtful and committed to giving back. From the executive team to interns, IGS employees raise their hands to say, ‘How can I get involved?’ And the company recognizes that and wants to support them in those efforts. JEN BOWDEN DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
IGS IMPACT 2015 | COMMUNITY GIVING
Our Impact Journey Making a positive impact on the world has always been at the core of our beliefs at IGS. Accordingly, our executive team recognized the need to formalize a community investment program at the company. In 2014, a group of employees also expressed a similar interest. Just four short months later, our Director of Community Investment, Jen Bowden, was hired. Shortly after, IGS Impact, our community investment program, came to life. While we are pleased with the momentum of the program over the past year, our work is far from done. The timeline below outlines what we’ve achieved so far, and where we see the program going over the next few years.
JUNE 2014
NOVEMBER 2014
SEPTEMBER 2015
Employees present community investment program initiative to leadership team
Conversations with Board and Executive Team reveal goals and focus areas
IGS Impact, our community investment program, is launched with employees
LOOKING AHEAD
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SEPTEMBER 2014
FEBRUARY 2015
SPRING 2016
IGS hires Director of Community Investment, Jen Bowden
Priorities defined and policies developed for IGS Impact
Company-wide day of service planned for all employees to volunteer in their communities
Goal of 10,000 volunteer hours worked and $1 million donated annually through the IGS Foundation
IGS CYCLING TEAM, Pelotonia 2015
OUR MISSION Creating positive social change through philanthropy, volunteerism, and partnerships in the areas of: energy sustainability, social enterprise and entrepreneurship, and causes that matter to our employees.
IMPACT LAUNCH DAY, IGS Corporate Office 2015
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IGS IMPACT 2015 | COMMUNITY GIVING
Volunteerism Serving with Purpose
Through Volunteer Time
Employee volunteerism enables IGS employees to make a
Off (VTO) and additional
difference in the world in both a tangible and powerful way. To
IGS sponsored events, employees can give
encourage employee volunteerism, IGS awards 8 hours of VTO to employees who volunteer. In addition to VTO opportunities, employees can choose to participate in company-sponsored events.
their time to make a
One of these organizations includes Junior Achievement, a non-
better world.
profit offering practical opportunities to students allowing them to
They are able to:
Beyond individual volunteerism opportunities, a company-wide
• SHARE THEIR TALENTS
day of service is planned for the spring of 2016. On this day,
• BUILD STRONGER COMMUNITIES
learn about entrepreneurship and business.
associates across all of our offices will spend the day volunteering in their communities. The goal is to do our part to help change the
• CONNECT WITH CAUSES THAT
world, as well as make a clear statement that we care about the
communities we serve in a practical and meaningful way.
MATTER TO THEM
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IGS IMPACT 2015 | COMMUNITY GIVING
IGS Foundation Investing with Purpose
In addition to donating our time and talents, we are making charitable investments in the areas of: ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY • Supporting public education – teaching responsible energy use and educating the community on alternative sources of energy • Supporting innovation in alternative power technologies – seeking opportunities to develop, advance, and commercialize sustainable energy technologies
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP • Supporting evidence-based programming to teach entrepreneurial-thinking and business/financial literacy – combining the hard skills of academic learning with the soft skills of workplace acumen • Investing in entrepreneurial solutions to complex social issues – improving lives by harnessing market forces to get innovations to the people who need them most
COMMUNITY CAUSES WHERE EMPLOYEES ARE ENGAGED • Investing in targeted causes and events - through our Foundation, we are supporting areas where IGS employees are providing volunteer leadership and/or service
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CRANBERRY, PA FIELD OFFICE East Side Youth Center 2015
“For me ESYC was a life line. I know how much they have given to the community, and the fact that I am a part of a company that is giving to the ESYC makes it very special.” RON SPEAKMAN, HOME ENERGY CONSULTANT, Cranberry, PA office
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IGS IMPACT 2015 | COMMUNITY GIVING
Community Giving Doing More with Purpose
Programs that help our employees contribute to causes they care about personally: MATCHING GIFTS – IGS supports its employees’ acts
WORKPLACE GIVING – Our goal is to make giving easier for employees, so we implemented strategies to streamline the process for them, such as automatic payroll deduction. Additionally, our Spirit Team coordinates company-wide philanthropic and donation opportunities, such as holiday food drives,
of giving and the organizations that inspire them by
Adopt-a-Family programs, and school
matching their contributions to eligible non-profit
supply donations.
organizations, up to $250 annually. DOLLARS FOR DOERS – The Dollars for Doers
EMPLOYEE HARDSHIP FUND – The culture at IGS is often described as having a “family-like” feel.
Program provides financial grants to non-profit
The Employee Hardship Fund (EHF) exists so IGS
organizations based on the amount of time an
employees can help their co-workers in times of
IGS employee volunteers with the organization
need. EHF is an option for employees who need
outside of work hours. Through Dollars for Doers,
financial assistance because of certain unexpected
the organization benefits twice: once from the
hardships. This fund is financed through giving both
volunteer’s contribution of time and again from an
from IGS and its employees. To ensure that funds are
IGS financial contribution. IGS provides $10 per each
distributed fairly and purposefully, IGS has partnered
eligible hour spent volunteering, up to $250 annually.
with the Salvation Army to administer this program.
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DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL OHIO, Buddy Walk 2015
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ARBOR DAY, IGS Corporate Office 2014
75% of IGS employees have participated in volunteer service within the last 12 months
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IGS IMPACT 2015 | COMMUNITY GIVING
Our Commitment to the Community Even before the formal launch of our community
was further supported by other employees
investment program, IGS prided itself on being a
who have connections to those affected by
good corporate citizen. As Scott White discussed
these diseases.
earlier in the report, giving back has been ingrained in our culture since the company was founded in
As another way of inspiring employee action as
1989. For this reason, the executive team and board
part of the IGS Impact program, each field sales
have made it a priority to define our strategic pillars
office was allotted $1,000 to donate to the
for giving and volunteerism, to ensure that our
non-profit of their choice. Ultimately, $15,000
time, talent, and dollars are going to the causes
was donated to communities in our core markets
that stand to make the biggest impact. These plans
to benefit causes that align with our mission to
include both short- and long-term goals, some
change the world. One of beneficiaries, the
of which are brand-new, while others weave in
East Side Youth Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania,
existing initiatives.
praised the local IGS sales office’s donation for allowing them to better meet the needs of nearly
For example, when IGS Impact was officially
700 youth participants of their program.
introduced to the company, employees were invited to nominate non-profit organizations that make an
Stories like these resulting from the IGS Impact
impact. Nearly 100 applications were received from
program are not unique, and we are continually
employees. The executive team then selected one
refining the parameters of the initiative to ensure
organization to receive a $10,000 donation.
that these positive impacts are not isolated events going forward.
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America was presented with the donation on behalf of IGS in recognition of an employee who has struggled personally with Crohn’s disease. This nomination
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2015: Time, Talent, and Dollars By the Numbers
4,100 Trees donated to the Arbor Day Foundation
550
1,100
Employee volunteer hours logged in support of Junior Achievement of Central Ohio
Coats donated to children in need through Operation Warm
100%
$92,000
Of Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio’s natural gas bills paid for by IGS
Donated to high schools in the areas we serve
$83,240 Raised by employees for Pelotonia, a Central Ohio bike race with proceeds funding cancer research at The Ohio State University
Some of the organizations supported in 2015 by IGS Impact include:
IGS IMPACT 2015 | COMMUNITY GIVING
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION ATHLETES IN ACTION BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. BIKE LADY INC. BOURNE RECREATION AUTHORITY BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF CLEVELAND CENTRAL OHIO CENTER OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY (COSI) COLUMBUS COUNCIL ON WORLD AFFAIRS CONWAY CENTER FOR FAMILY BUSINESS CRISTO REY COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL OHIO (DSACO) DUBLIN COUNSELING & NORTHWEST COUNSELING SERVICES DUBLIN JEROME TIP OFF CLUB FREEDOM A LA CART FRIENDS OF MRDD CITIZENS COMMITTEE HOME TEAM MARKETING INDIANA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT MARBURN ACADEMY MID-OHIO FOODBANK NATIONWIDE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION OHIOHEALTH FOUNDATION OLENTANGY ROTARY CLUB OPERATION WARM PELOTONIA RECREATION UNLIMITED RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF CENTRAL OHIO ST. VINCENT FAMILY CENTER SALVATION ARMY THE ALPHA GROUP OF DELAWARE, INC. THE BOTTOM LINE INC. UNION COUNTY FOUNDATION UNION COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY UPPER ARLINGTON EDUCATION FOUNDATION
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To me, it isn’t just about making an impact in terms of being responsive to something. It’s being proactive about helping out in the community.
There are just so many great things that you see by helping others. KIM BUCHER, SUPPLY & RISK
RYAN FENNER, HOME ENERGY SALES
What Our Employees are Saying About Giving Back
I would encourage other employees to get involved because there is so much out there to empower them to make such a big difference in somebody else’s life. VEENA RAO, IT 16
It makes me feel really good working at IGS. It’s a family feeling… so when it’s like that you want to be part of the community. IGS supports us in doing that. PAM COONFARE, SOLUTIONS CENTER
Corporate Recognitions As a company, IGS’ desire to create an engaged society seeking positive change in the way we manage and consume our energy resources has also been the driving force behind several company-wide and individual recognitions, including:
WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 2014 CLEAN ENERGY AWARD Awarded in recognition of the company’s commitment to protecting the environment, serving as good corporate neighbors, and educating WV citizens
COLUMBUS CEO MAGAZINE 2014 BEST OF BUSINESS LIST Received top honors in the following categories based on responses from more than 3,400 readers: • BEST EMPLOYER (500+ EMPLOYEES)
CONWAY CENTER FOR FAMILY BUSINESS 2014 MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Awarded in recognition of IGS’ 25 years in business
• BEST FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS • BEST ENERGY COMPANY
COLUMBUS BUSINESS FIRST BEST PLACES TO WORK AWARD (2012-2015) Awarded to IGS Energy for being among Central Ohio’s most favorite places to work
SMART BUSINESS MAGAZINE CENTRAL OHIO’S SMART 50 CLASS OF 2014 Awarded to Scott White for his ability to effectively build and lead an innovative and “smart” organization
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION 2014 FIT FRIENDLY WORKSITE AWARD, GOLD LEVEL Awarded for IGS’ dedication to a healthy workforce
SMART BUSINESS MAGAZINE CENTRAL OHIO’S SMART 50 CLASS OF 2015 Awarded to Chief Marketing and Talent Officer Nicole Ringle
OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 2014 HEALTHY OHIO HEALTHY WORKSITE SILVER AWARD Awarded for IGS’ dedication to a healthy workforce
COLUMBUS BUSINESS FIRST FORTY UNDER 40 CLASS OF 2015 Awarded to Director of Community Investment Jen Bowden for her ongoing commitment to the Central Ohio community
COLUMBUS BUSINESS FIRST 2014 CORPORATE CARING AWARD Awarded for IGS’ dedication to community service
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF CENTRAL OHIO 2015 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR Awarded to Kim Bucher, IGS employee for over 10 years, for her ongoing commitment to the organization
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IGS IMPACT 2015 | COMMUNITY GIVING
What’s Next in Our Journey
Since the beginning, we have been dedicated to purposefully giving back to the communities where we live, work, and do business.
Over the next 12 months, we plan to:
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EXPAND our corporate giving efforts on an annual basis (at least $1 million per year)
ENGAGE in volunteerism while increasing company-wide volunteer hours (at least 3,300 annually)
REFINE the strategic framework for giving and volunteerism based on IGS’ corporate culture and core competencies
IDENTIFY national partners and core causes that engage employees across our corporate footprint
Together, we can make an Impact.
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We are IGS.
Giving with Purpose.
For More Information Visit IGSimpact.com/Donations or email communityinvestment@IGSenergy.com