The Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship Innovation Awards honor and celebrate the achievements of forward-thinking companies and individuals that have applied the assets of their business to create positive social and/or environmental impacts. We recognize with these awards the individuals and companies that create the world we want to live in and the world we want to do business in. This year's awards are generously sponsored by the Travelers Companies.
In its winning submission, Ambipar, which is based in Brazil, shared how they solved two environmental problems with one innovative solution. The company set out to divert the pharmaceutical industry’s collagen capsule waste from disposal in landfills, while also working to recover natural environments that have been degraded by fires, erosion, or deforestation.
In its award-winning submission, NBCUniversal highlighted how it innovates corporate social responsibility through a strategic partnership between its social impact initiative, NBCUnites, and its employee development program, Talent Lab. The result is a suite of immersive programs—SERVE, PRO BONO, and INSPIRE—that go far beyond traditional volunteerism by embedding social impact directly into leadership development and company culture.
In its powerful and far-reaching submission, UPS shared how it is taking a stand against one of the world’s most urgent humanitarian crises: human trafficking. Through a multi-faceted strategy rooted in prevention, education, survivor support, and systemic change, UPS is harnessing its vast logistics network and social capital to combat modern-day slavery on a global scale.
In its standout partnership submission, the Guardian Life Insurance Company of America demonstrated the powerful impact of education and empathy through Minding Your Money: Skills for Life™, a groundbreaking financial wellness program developed in conjunction with EVERFI. This initiative goes beyond traditional financial literacy by addressing the intersection of money, mental wellness, and relationships, equipping Gen Z students with the knowledge and emotional tools needed to thrive in a financially complex world.
Recognizes companies that have developed unique and differentiated approaches employing multiple company assets (i.e., more than one of the following—philanthropy, volunteering, expertise, know-how) with solutions to create positive social, environmental, and/or economic impact, and shared purpose in helping the world run better and improving people’s lives.
Recognizes corporate citizenship programs that result from dynamic partnerships with nonprofit ESG and community organizations. The nominated company should demonstrate that they have gone above and beyond to develop problem-solving and operational capacity within their partner organization while working in tandem to address an important social or environmental challenge.
Recognizes a company that has marshalled the financial and human resources at its disposal to address an environmental issue affecting or relating to that company’s core competencies. Innovations may occur within internal processes/programs, external products/efforts, or both. The company should demonstrate how the effort benefits specific aspects of the environment in tangible/measurable ways AND how it translates to broader global efforts.
Recognizes a company that has elevated a social and/or environmental program or issue to ensure greater understanding by a wider array of stakeholders, and covers efforts such as corporate advocacy, strategic reporting, internal engagement, corporate communication efforts, and public policy engagement. Companies should outline which groups were integral to the effort’s success as well as which audiences were targeted.
Innovation is the process that an individual or organization undertakes to conceptualize new products, programs, processes, and ideas, or to approach existing products, programs, processes, and ideas in new ways. Companies may submit any CSR effort the nominee deems innovative. These efforts may involve partnerships (both nonprofit and/or cross sector) or may be solo corporate ventures. They may target internal audiences, external audiences, or both.
Not sure if your program fits this description? We're happy to answer any questions at ccc@bc.edu.
Anyone can submit their innovative CSR program(s) on behalf of a company that was involved. This includes consultants, nonprofit partners, agencies, service providers, vendors, etc. However, only for-profit companies can win the awards. (When completing the form, please note the company representative who would accept if selected as a winner.) Please also note that BCCCC corporate members can submit their entries for free; non-members must provide a $500 entry fee along with their submission.
Although submitting in multiple categories is permissible, each entry must represent a separate program example. Multiple entries from a non-member would also require separate entry fees. We recommend focusing on a single, well-developed entry rather than multiple submissions.
If you have questions about your eligibility, please email ccc@bc.edu.
Each submission will be scored by a selection committee, on a 1-to-5 scale, based on the following criteria:
Program Design & Creativity: How compelling and disruptive is the program described in the entry? Does the program involve a big idea, innovative approaches, or both? Can it drive significant change in other companies or communities?
Tangible Outcomes: What was the result of the project? What is the magnitude of the outcome? What is the environmental or social outcome(s) achieved? What is the impact on communities? On individuals? How compelling are the quantified results? Does the program deliver business value as well as social or environmental results?
Citizenship: How well does the entry demonstrate the company’s journey to becoming a great corporate citizen leading positive change? Is the company effectively using the assets of its business to help make itself and the communities in which it operates resilient, profitable, and sustainable?
Disruption Potential: Can this idea be adapted and used by others to drive more systemic change? Does it translate to broader progress or address more specialized concerns? What is the company doing to make the effort available to those who want to make use of it?
The selection committee is comprised of members of BCCCC's Advisory Boards, and a representative from the previous year’s winners.
