What is your motivation?
As part of #MondayMotivation, we鈥檙e documenting what motivates us鈥搉amely, our work as a Benefit Corporation and Certified B Corp.
is a movement to re-imagine what corporate success looks like and steer organizations toward a more holistic view of progress, one which accounts for social and environmental responsibility.
In September 2016, following a rigorous assessment that examined ACE鈥檚 financial records, vendor practices, workplace culture, environmental initiatives, and charitable efforts, the college received its B Corp certification.
鈥淚t just became very clear that this was something that fit our DNA and that we wanted to move forward with,鈥� said Human Resources Director and B Corp Benefits Officer KK Byland, who shepherded the college through the process.
Living out the commitment to social responsibility, ACE has allocated more than $120,000 in the past year to their non-profit partners across the country who provide school supplies free-of-charge to educators in under-served areas, including: School Tools, Treasures 4 Teachers, Kids in Need, Teachers鈥� Treasures, Kappa Delta Pi, A Gift for Teaching, and World Vision. Contributions were provided for event sponsorship, material donations, and gifts and incentives for their customers.
鈥淲e鈥檙e a company of 150 employees [and] we are potentially reaching more than five million students by partnering with these organizations,鈥� Byland said. 鈥淎nd if we break down those numbers, that鈥檚 pretty darn special.鈥�
ACE also participates in smaller-scale efforts, from recycling programs and walking or running for , to volunteering with local gardens fighting food insecurity in Indianapolis, to providing college gear to elementary school students in the Portland neighborhood of Louisville.
The same hand that extends to communities outside of ACE also reaches back to internal staff.
鈥淥ur vision is two-fold,鈥� Byland said. 鈥淎s a higher ed institution, we have obligations and commitments to our students, and ultimately, we want to touch their lives and the lives of those they touch鈥ut we also have those same commitments to our employees.鈥�
That commitment includes allowing staff to work remotely鈥搘hich also reduces the college鈥檚 environmental footprint鈥揳nd encouraging them to take 鈥榗ivic time,鈥� or a separate bank of PTO hours to volunteer for causes close to their hearts.
鈥淲e want to be able to support the communities that our employees live in, not just the communities that our headquarters are near,鈥� Byland said. 鈥淎nd we want to be able to support and enhance all aspects of employee life, not just work.鈥�
What鈥檚 more motivating than that?Looking for ideas on how to get involved with your local community? Check back next week for a window into what ACE is doing and the community service efforts that keep us motivated.