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When you engage in acts of kindness, only good things happen…

Posted on by Philip Webb
As you help someone or give a gift, your brain secretes “feel good” chemicals such as: Serotonin (which regulates your mood). Dopamine (which gives you a sense of pleasure). Oxytocin (which creates a sense of connection with others):
  1. Serotonin: Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in regulating mood, happiness, and overall emotional well-being. Acts of kindness and generosity can lead to increased serotonin levels in the brain, contributing to a more positive and uplifted mood.
  2. Dopamine: Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with the brain’s reward and pleasure system. Acts of kindness can trigger the release of dopamine, creating a sense of pleasure and reward, which reinforces the behavior of helping and giving.
  3. Oxytocin: Oxytocin is often referred to as the “love hormone” or “bonding hormone” because it plays a key role in creating a sense of connection and trust with others. Acts of kindness, particularly those involving social interactions, can lead to increased oxytocin release, fostering a sense of emotional connection and empathy.
  4. Endorphins: Endorphins are neurotransmitters that act as natural painkillers and mood enhancers. Engaging in acts of kindness can trigger the release of endorphins, leading to feelings of pleasure and reduced stress.

 

These “feel good” chemicals not only enhance our emotional well-being but also promote positive social interactions and strengthen social bonds. Acts of kindness and giving can have a positive ripple effect, leading to increased happiness and improved social cohesion within communities. Additionally, the act of helping others and experiencing the positive effects of these chemicals can reinforce prosocial behaviors, encouraging individuals to continue engaging in acts of kindness and altruism.

Please feel free to contact a member of our team today: info@investorsincommunity.org

Positive effects of partnering with charities and good causes

Posted on by Philip Webb
Partnering with charities can have several positive effects for businesses and organizations. Here are some of the benefits of partnering with charities to support them:
  1. Enhanced Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Partnering with charities demonstrates a commitment to social responsibility, which can improve the public image and reputation of a company. It shows that the organization is actively engaged in making a positive impact on society.
  2. Increased brand visibility and awareness: Collaborating with charities allows for joint marketing and promotional activities, which can increase brand visibility and awareness. Through such partnerships, businesses can reach new audiences and potential customers who may be more inclined to support a brand that aligns with charitable causes.
  3. Positive brand association: Supporting a charity can create positive associations with a brand. Consumers often perceive companies involved in charitable activities as more caring and compassionate. This association can lead to increased customer loyalty and positive brand sentiment.
  4. Employee engagement and morale: Partnering with charities can boost employee engagement and morale. Many employees appreciate working for companies that are involved in meaningful initiatives and give back to society. Engaging employees in volunteering or fundraising efforts for the chosen charity can foster teamwork and a sense of purpose among staff members.
  5. Networking and collaboration opportunities: Partnering with charities opens doors to collaboration with other organizations and individuals that are involved in similar causes. This can lead to valuable networking opportunities, strategic partnerships, and knowledge sharing.
  6. Tax benefits: Depending on the jurisdiction, businesses may be eligible for tax benefits or deductions for their charitable contributions. This can provide financial incentives for partnering with charities.
  7. Fulfilling a social mission: Partnering with charities allows businesses to contribute to social causes and make a tangible difference in people’s lives. This sense of fulfillment can be rewarding for both the organization and its employees.
  8. Innovation and creativity: Collaborating with charities can spark innovation and creativity within an organization. It may inspire employees to come up with new ideas, products, or services that align with the charitable cause and address societal needs.
  9. Long-term sustainable impact: By partnering with charities, businesses can support projects and programs that create long-term sustainable impact. Whether it’s addressing environmental issues, promoting education, or tackling poverty, sustained support can lead to meaningful change over time.

Overall, partnering with charities provides organizations with an opportunity to give back to society, enhance their brand, engage employees, and create a positive impact on the world around them.

The UK’s upcoming Sustainable Disclosure Requirements (SDR)

Posted on by Philip Webb

The UK’s upcoming Sustainable Disclosure Requirements (SDR) are a set of measures and modifications that would institutionalize and unify SECR, TCFD, and ESOS reporting into an overall, annual set of sustainability reporting requirements.

SDR will include:

  • Full TCFD reporting, including Scope 3 emissions
  • Additional non-climate sustainability and ESG reporting disclosure to include charity and community work (volunteering, donations & gifting)
  • A detailed transition plan outlining the submitter’s path to net zero emissions

 

While SDR has yet to be finalized and officially implemented, we expect it will emerge as the definitive UK sustainability reporting standard. SDR may also introduce a UK Green Taxonomy, similar to EU sustainability legislation.

The UK SDR is designed to centralise the UK’s new enhanced climate, sustainability, and ESG reporting, disclosure, and communications requirements expected to be finalized and take effect: 2023

Employer-supported volunteering (ESV)

Posted on by Philip Webb

Employer-supported volunteering (ESV) is a type of corporate social responsibility (CSR) program in which companies encourage or enable their employees to volunteer during working hours. This means that employees are given paid time off to volunteer for a cause or organization of their choice, either individually or as part of a team.

ESV is a win-win situation for both companies and their employees. For companies, ESV can help to improve their corporate social responsibility credentials, enhance their reputation, and boost employee engagement and loyalty. For employees, ESV can provide an opportunity to give back to the community, develop new skills, and enhance their personal and professional development.

Some examples of ESV initiatives include:

  • Organizing team volunteering events, such as cleaning up a local park, serving food at a homeless shelter, or mentoring disadvantaged youth.
  • Providing employees with paid time off to volunteer with a charity or nonprofit organization of their choice.
  • Offering skills-based volunteering opportunities, such as providing marketing or IT support to a nonprofit organization.

Overall, ESV is a great way for companies to make a positive impact on society, while also providing employees with valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth.

If  you are interested in learning more or how IIC can help, please contact a member of our team today: info@investorsincommunity.org

 

Regenerate response

Let’s look at environmental, social and governance (ESG)

Posted on by Philip Webb

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) are three factors that are used to evaluate the sustainability and ethical impact of a company’s operations.

Environmental factors refer to a company’s impact on the natural environment, including its use of natural resources, greenhouse gas emissions, waste generation, and other forms of pollution. ESG investors look for companies that prioritize sustainability, reducing their environmental footprint, and implementing green initiatives.

Social factors refer to a company’s impact on society, including its relationships with employees, customers, suppliers, and the broader community. ESG investors look for companies that have a positive social impact, such as those that treat their employees fairly, have diverse and inclusive workplaces, and contribute to their communities.

Governance factors refer to a company’s system of management and oversight, including its board of directors, executive compensation, and internal controls. ESG investors look for companies that prioritize good governance practices, such as transparent reporting, strong risk management, and independent board oversight.

By considering these three factors, ESG investors aim to identify companies that are well-managed, financially sound, and have a positive impact on the world. ESG investing has gained popularity in recent years as investors increasingly prioritize sustainability and ethical considerations alongside financial returns.

If  you are interested in learning more or how IIC can help, please contact a member of our team today: info@investorsincommunity.org

 

5 Ways Businesses can support their Communities (and how it helps your marketing)

Posted on by Philip Webb
  1. Volunteerism: Encourage employees to volunteer their time and skills to local charities or events. This can include organizing a team volunteering day or allowing employees to use company time to participate in community events.
  2. Sponsorship: Consider sponsoring local events or charities that align with your business values or goals. This can provide positive exposure for your business and demonstrate your commitment to the community.
  3. Donations: Make monetary or in-kind donations to local organizations or charities that align with your business values or goals. This can include donating a portion of sales to a specific cause or setting up a donation drive for a local charity.
  4. Collaboration: Look for opportunities to collaborate with other businesses or organizations in your community. This can include co-hosting events or partnering on a community project.
  5. Education and Training: Offer education and training opportunities to members of your community, such as workshops or mentorship programs. This can help to build relationships and establish your business as a valuable resource in the community.

How it helps your marketing: Supporting your community can have a positive impact on your marketing efforts. By demonstrating your commitment to the community and aligning your business with local causes, you can build a positive reputation and create strong brand associations. This can lead to increased customer loyalty, positive word-of-mouth referrals, and a competitive edge in the market. Additionally, supporting local causes can provide opportunities for media coverage and social media exposure, further amplifying your message and impact.

What is Social Regeneration?

Posted on by Philip Webb

Social regeneration refers to the process of revitalizing and improving social systems and structures in a community or society. It involves addressing issues such as poverty, inequality, social exclusion, and other challenges that can lead to the deterioration of a community’s well-being and quality of life.

Social regeneration initiatives can take many forms, such as investing in education and job training programs, improving public infrastructure and services, fostering community engagement and participation, and supporting local businesses and organizations. The goal is to create a more inclusive and equitable society where everyone has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

Successful social regeneration requires collaboration between government, private sector, and civil society organizations, as well as the active involvement of community members themselves. It requires a long-term and sustained effort, as the root causes of social problems are often complex and deeply ingrained. However, the benefits of social regeneration can be significant, not only for individuals and communities but also for the wider society as a whole.

If you would like to find out more please visit: https://investorsincommunity.org/

The importance of measuring, auditing and verification of ESG

Posted on by Philip Webb

Measuring, auditing, and verifying environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices are crucial for several reasons:

  1. Transparency: ESG reporting enables companies to communicate their sustainability practices, risks, and opportunities to stakeholders, including investors, customers, employees, and regulators. By being transparent about their ESG performance, companies can build trust and credibility with stakeholders and improve their reputation.
  2. Risk management: Measuring and auditing ESG practices can help companies identify and mitigate ESG risks, such as environmental pollution, human rights violations, or supply chain disruptions. By managing these risks, companies can protect their financial performance and reputation.
  3. Opportunity identification: Measuring and auditing ESG practices can also help companies identify opportunities for sustainable growth, such as reducing energy consumption, improving supply chain efficiency, or enhancing diversity and inclusion in the workplace. By capitalizing on these opportunities, companies can enhance their long-term value creation.
  4. Compliance: In some cases, measuring and verifying ESG practices is mandatory under local regulations or voluntary sustainability standards. By complying with these requirements, companies can avoid legal and reputational risks and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.

Overall, measuring, auditing, and verifying ESG practices are essential for companies to enhance their sustainability performance, manage risks and opportunities, build trust with stakeholders, and comply with regulatory and voluntary standards.

Charities can now apply for an award of up to £5,000 from the Matthew Good Foundation as Grants for Good fund increases by 50%

Posted on by Philip Webb

Hull, UK: The Matthew Good Foundation has increased the amount it will award through its established Grants for Good programme from £10,000 a quarter to £15,000. All shortlisted charities will receive higher amounts, and the award for the winning recipient each quarter will go up from £3,500 to £5000.

 

The Matthew Good Foundation is a charitable foundation, funded by the John Good Group. Their mission is to amplify small or local charitable causes, whose work is often unseen and underfunded, yet delivers high value social impact. They do this through a wide range of grant making processes, including grassroots project funding and an employee giving programme for the John Good Group. The Grants for Good fund launched in January 2021 and was the first initiative from the Foundation that invited organisations to apply to them for funding.

Initially, the programme awarded £10,000 a quarter to five causes, shortlisted by a panel at the Foundation. Foundation members – who are all employees of the John Good Group – then voted for their favourite to decide who got the largest share. The winner of the vote received £3,500, second place £2,500, third place £2,000 and fourth and fifth place £1,000. This process would be completed every quarter, meaning that annually, £40,000 was awarded between twenty different causes.

For 2023, the Foundation has increased its annual Grants for Good fund by 50% to £60,000, with £15,000 awarded each quarter to five successful applicants. The winner of the members vote will now receive £5,000, second place £3,500, third place £2,500 and fourth and fifth place £2,000 each.

Previous charities with successful applications include R;pple Suicide Prevention – a charity developing technology to intercept searches for potentially harmful online content, The Bank – a new community hub in West Hull, and Clean Planet – a team of trained divers using their skills to remove ghost gear from their local coastline.

The first organisation to be shortlisted and win the vote was Harry’s Hat, a charity founded by the family and friends of Harry, a baby diagnosed with hydrocephalus (water on the brain), with the aims of raising awareness, offering support to affected families, and funding research to improve outcomes. Caroline Coates – co-founder and newly appointed CEO of the charity reflects on the impact of winning the award, “From my personal perspective launching the charity meant sharing our own personal and difficult story, after-all Harry is my son. We wanted to be associated with a funder who genuinely cares about the causes it supports and took the time to get to know them, so the programme was a perfect match! As a newly formed charity, it was so encouraging to know that people believed in our cause and wanted to help. The support helped us launch our first book ‘Hydrocephalus What I wish I’d known,’ given for free to the parents and carers across the UK.  So far, 475 families have benefitted directly as well as 20 neurosurgery units, 34 health visiting teams and numerous front-line workers. In the short time since gaining the award we have supported over 350 families, secured grants to enable us to employ skilled staff to deliver support, funded front-line workers to learn more about the condition, been shortlisted for prestigious national awards and media coverage, and trebled our income.”

Highlighting the reason for the recent award increase, Michelle Taft – Executive Director of the Foundation said, “Those shortlisted for Grants for Good are often extremely innovative, with real potential to grow their impact on society, yet small charities often struggle to secure funding, particularly funding that is unrestricted.  Having seen the impact Grants for Good has had on its beneficiaries over the last two years, we hope this increase in funding available will further help both small and new not-for-profit organisations to thrive.”

Adam Walsh, CEO of the John Good Group commented, “Supporting the Matthew Good Foundation is an essential part of our people and social responsibility strategy at the John Good Group. We believe in giving back to our communities and helping small, local charities that may not receive the attention or funding they deserve. Our employees are at the heart of this initiative, as they have the opportunity to decide where the donations go and make a real impact on the causes they care about. We are proud to be associated with the Foundation and its mission to amplify the voices of small charities and organisations that can make a significant difference with a small grant.”

The Grants for Good fund is designed to be deliberately easy for very small charities or new community interest groups to apply for, with simple guidelines and a minimum amount of information needed to get started. Applicants do not necessarily need to be a registered charity, they could also be a local community group, voluntary group or social enterprise. They must have a positive impact on people or the environment, and their annual income must be below £50,000. Shortlisting is performed each quarter, but applications are open all year round, so those looking to apply can do so whenever they are ready. Full details of the programme and an online application form can be found at www.matthewgoodfoundation.org/grantsforgood.

 

 

Media Enquiries

Jennifer Murden
Phone: 07444 479192
Email: jen@matthewgoodfoundation.org

Available Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 2.30pm

About the Matthew Good Foundation

The Matthew Good Foundation is a charitable foundation, funded by the John Good Group. It was formed following the unexpected passing of family member and Director, Matthew Good on June 26th, 2011, whilst running for charity in the Humber Half Marathon. Through the Foundation, John Good Group employees can support charities and good causes they care about. The Foundation also supports innovative small charities with funding and resources to help them achieve their potential.

 

About the John Good Group

The John Good Group is a sixth-generation family business founded on a clear and community-focused philosophy, which is to create and nurture businesses that are a force for good. Winners of the Yorkshire & Humberside Family Awards 2022 for Family Business of the Year and Best Social Impact and founded on family values; they put their people, planet, and communities at the heart of everything they do. The Group comprises five divisions focusing on Travel, Marine, Warehousing and Logistics, Property, and Renewables. Each of these divisions has its own ambitious strategy for continuous growth, all while uniting under a shared vision for the future.

 

Social Media Channels

 Matthew Good Foundation

https://www.linkedin.com/company/matthew-good-foundation

https://twitter.com/MatthewGoodFoun

https://www.facebook.com/MatthewGoodFoundation

https://www.instagram.com/matthewgoodfoundation

https://www.youtube.com/@matthewgoodfoundation2122

 

John Good Group

https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-good-group/

https://twitter.com/johngoodgroup

https://www.facebook.com/johngoodgroup

 

Websites

www.matthewgoodfoundation.org

www.johngoodgroup.co.uk

Social Value and Social Impact: Understanding the Differences

Posted on by Philip Webb

Today, there is an increasing focus on the impact that businesses have on society and the environment. This has led to the development of two key concepts: social value and social impact. These two terms are often used interchangeably, but it’s important to understand the differences between them.

Social value refers to the positive impact that a business has on society and the environment. This can include creating jobs, supporting local communities, and reducing carbon emissions. Social value can also be measured in terms of the economic, social, and environmental benefits that a business provides to society.

On the other hand, social impact refers to the long-term, sustainable impact that a business has on society and the environment. This includes the positive and negative effects of a business’s activities, and the impact they have on future generations. Social impact can also be measured in terms of the positive changes that a business brings to society, such as reducing poverty, improving health, and promoting equality.

The key difference between social value and social impact is that social value focuses on the short-term benefits that a business provides to society, whereas social impact looks at the long-term, sustainable impact that a business has on society and the environment.

In conclusion, social value and social impact are both important concepts for businesses to understand. By focusing on both social value and social impact, businesses can ensure that they are creating positive change in society and the environment, and that their activities are sustainable in the long-term. By doing so, businesses can build a strong reputation and foster trust with stakeholders, while also creating a better future for society and the planet.

 

If you want to qualify your social value and start to measure your social impact contact us here www.investorsincommunity.org