Category: Partner Voices

Associates in Action 

By Victor Montgomery 

Associates in Action articles highlight CSG Associates’ philanthropic efforts and public-private partnerships throughout the states. 

 
HCA Healthcare, a CSG Associate, recently announced a contribution of $250,000 to fund organizations providing tornado relief services to Kentucky communities devastated by severe tornadoes. Kentucky was the state hit hardest by a chain of severe tornadoes that carved a path across six states in early December, leaving thousands without homes, electricity, and supplies. Recipients include the American Red Cross Southern and Midwest Tornadoes Relief Fund ($100,000), United Way of Southern Kentucky Tornado Crisis and Recovery Fund ($100,000), and Governor Steve Beshear’s Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund ($50,000).  

As one of the nation’s leading providers of healthcare services, Nashville-based HCA Healthcare has a history of supporting disaster relief efforts. HCA Healthcare has provided over $4.6 million to the Red Cross for disaster relief efforts over the past five years, providing financial support in the aftermath of tornadoes that struck Middle Tennessee in 2020, the Texas winter storms in 2021, and Middle Tennessee floods in 2021. Over the last three years, HCA Healthcare has further supported the Red Cross through a $500,000 annual contribution to the organization’s Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). HCA Healthcare’s philanthropic efforts help the Red Cross respond immediately to disasters, support families during the recovery process, and prepare communities for future emergencies. 

HCA Healthcare affiliated hospital TriStar Greenview Hospital is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky and serves many of the state’s hardest-hit areas. In the wake of the storm, TriStar Greenview Hospital and TriStar Skyline Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee cared for injured patients and hosted blood drives to respond to the increased need for blood. Meanwhile, HCA’s Healthcare Hope Fund—an employee-run, employee-supported 501(c)(3) charity – provided additional financial aid and resources to employees. The HCA Healthcare Hope Fund is designed to protect colleagues in this and other disasters after an extended illness, injury, or other special situation. In 2020 alone, the Fund provided more than $10.6 million in grants to over 4,900 families. 

Associates in Action 

by Victor Montgomery 

Associates in Action articles highlight CSG Associates’ philanthropic efforts and public-private partnerships throughout the states. 

Wells Fargo, a CSG Associate, has launched a flagship mentoring program for women entrepreneurs called Connect to More^sm. In partnership with the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center’s signature Milestone Mapping Coaching Circles, Connect to More provides 500 women-owned businesses with access to expertise and specialized resources born from the challenges of COVID-19.  

“As a non-profit committed to access and equity in entrepreneurship, we are grateful for this opportunity to help 500 women-owned businesses accelerate their personal growth as leaders and gain support as they solve big problems that make their families and communities stronger,” says Nicola Corzine, executive director of the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center. “We believe accelerating women business owners’ influence and economic opportunities are critical to addressing the intolerable wealth gap.” 

Each Coaching Circle affords all women-identifying business owners in the U.S. the opportunity to join biweekly meetings with peer mentors and industry experts to work through specific challenges, celebrate milestones, attend workshops, and build strong networks of support.  

“Small businesses are the cornerstones of our communities, and it is imperative that we support the women entrepreneurs who lead them,” noted Maryland State Senator Cory McCray. “Programs like Connect to More provide women entrepreneurs with access to resources, networks, and opportunities that help to grow their businesses and foster success. Women entrepreneurs can tap into a network of expert mentors for personalized help and support, and by participating in its biweekly Coaching Circle, women-owned businesses—like the Financial Joy School in Maryland—have received the benefit of the program’s invaluable mentorship. With its hands-on approach, Connect to More continues to equip women with the strategies and skills needed to reach their business goals.” 

“As an entrepreneur, you don’t always have the time to sit and reflect on your business, it’s always go go go,” said Ruby Taylor, owner of the Financial Joy School. “Not only does this program give you that time, but it also includes a support system of amazing women. So far I’ve walked away with concrete marketing and social media strategies to promote more brand awareness for my business.” Connect to More aims to help participants set and reach critical business goals to help grow their businesses into 2022.  

Any state official who would like to encourage women owned businesses in their own communities to apply can share the application located here. Upon acceptance, applicants will be placed in a Circle. 

“Access to trusted expertise helps small businesses move from surviving to thriving,” said Jenny Flores, head of Small Business Growth Philanthropy at Wells Fargo. “For many small businesses, having access to mentorship and trusted experts in areas like marketing, business planning, technology and legal can be a critical turning point for getting back to growth.” 

More information about Connect to More can be found at https://www.wellsfargo.com/small-business/jump/other/connect-to-more/. Additional resources for women-owned businesses provided by Wells Fargo are located at: https://www.wellsfargo.com/biz/wells-fargo-works/women-owned-business-resources/.  

LifePoint Health, a CSG Associate, partnered with the Tennessee Department of Health to host two COVID-19 vaccination clinics for Special Olympics Tennessee. 

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by Julianne Stahl 

In June, Target Corporation, a CSG Associate, unveiled Target Forward, a new sustainability strategy that is focused on restoring and regrowing natural systems to positively impact the planet. Target aims to co-create an equitable and regenerative future with its guests, partners and communities.  

The commitments Target is making with Target Forward work towards three critical ambitions: to design and elevate sustainable brands, to innovate to eliminate waste and to accelerate opportunity and equity. Signature goals of this initiative include: 

• By 2030, Target strives to be the market leader for creating and curating inclusive, sustainable brands and experiences. 
  
• By 2040, Target plans for 100% of its owned brand products to be designed for a circular future. Target’s teams will continue designing to eliminate waste, using materials that are regenerative, recycled or sourced sustainably, to create products that are more durable, easily repaired or recyclable. Target accelerated its commitments to sustainable packaging in 2018 when it became a signatory to the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment. 
  
• By 2040, Target commits to being a net zero enterprise — zero waste to landfill in its U.S. operations and net zero emissions across both its operations and supply chain. 
  

Target’s efforts in collaborating to bring equitable, viable solutions for its communities and the environment is being built on a preexisting foundation of sustainability. In 2019, the company set science-based targets for reduction in its emissions from its facilities, emissions from energy purchased to power its facilities and emissions from the entire supply chain. Target also committed to join the “Business Ambition for 1.5°C,” ensuring that its emissions will contribute to no more than 1.5 degree warming. Target also has projects and partnerships in place that when complete, will result in purchasing nearly 50% of its electricity from renewable sources, on its way to 100% by 2030. 

“As a company and a member of the global community, it’s imperative for both the health of our business and of our planet that we embrace new ways to move forward,” said Brian Cornell, chairman and chief executive officer of Target. “We know sustainability is tied to business resiliency and growth, and that our size and scale can drive change that is good for all. Target Forward influences every corner of our business, deepens our collaboration with our partners and builds on our past efforts to ensure a better future for generations to come.” 

To learn more about Target Forward visit Target.com/targetforward. 

Associates in Action articles highlight CSG Associates’ philanthropic efforts and public-private partnerships throughout the states.