Ben & Jerry’s is a well-known ice cream company that has been a favorite among many for decades. However, what sets them apart from other companies is their commitment to social and environmental causes. Ben & Jerry’s has been a long-time supporter of various organizations and initiatives that align with their values of social justice, environmental sustainability, and community involvement. In this article, we will explore some of the companies and organizations that Ben & Jerry’s supports.
Ben & Jerry’s Foundation
The Ben & Jerry’s Foundation is a non-profit organization that was established in 1985 by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, the founders of Ben & Jerry’s. The foundation’s mission is to support grassroots organizations that are working to bring about positive change in their communities. The foundation focuses on three main areas: social justice, environmental sustainability, and community development.
Grants and Funding
The Ben & Jerry’s Foundation provides grants and funding to organizations that are working on projects that align with their mission. The foundation has provided funding to organizations such as the National Immigration Law Center, which works to protect the rights of low-income immigrants, and the Environmental Defense Fund, which works to protect the environment and promote sustainability.
Ben & Jerry’s Social and Environmental Initiatives
Ben & Jerry’s has a number of social and environmental initiatives that they support through their company. Some of these initiatives include:
Climate Justice
Ben & Jerry’s has been a long-time supporter of climate justice initiatives. They have partnered with organizations such as the Climate Justice Alliance to support efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote renewable energy.
Racial Justice
Ben & Jerry’s has also been a supporter of racial justice initiatives. They have partnered with organizations such as the NAACP to support efforts to promote racial equality and justice.
Immigrant Rights
Ben & Jerry’s has been a supporter of immigrant rights initiatives. They have partnered with organizations such as the National Immigration Law Center to support efforts to protect the rights of low-income immigrants.
Ben & Jerry’s Partnerships
Ben & Jerry’s has partnered with a number of companies and organizations to support social and environmental causes. Some of these partnerships include:
Partnership with the Fairtrade Foundation
Ben & Jerry’s has partnered with the Fairtrade Foundation to support fair trade practices in their supply chain. The partnership ensures that farmers who supply ingredients to Ben & Jerry’s are paid a fair price for their products.
Partnership with the Rainforest Alliance
Ben & Jerry’s has partnered with the Rainforest Alliance to support sustainable forestry practices. The partnership ensures that the palm oil used in Ben & Jerry’s products is sourced from sustainable forests.
Ben & Jerry’s Activism
Ben & Jerry’s has been involved in a number of activism efforts over the years. Some of these efforts include:
Occupy Wall Street
Ben & Jerry’s was a supporter of the Occupy Wall Street movement, which aimed to promote economic justice and equality.
Black Lives Matter
Ben & Jerry’s has been a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement, which aims to promote racial justice and equality.
Climate Strikes
Ben & Jerry’s has been a supporter of climate strikes, which aim to promote action on climate change.
Conclusion
Ben & Jerry’s is a company that is committed to social and environmental causes. Through their foundation, social and environmental initiatives, partnerships, and activism efforts, Ben & Jerry’s is working to make a positive impact on the world. As a consumer, supporting companies like Ben & Jerry’s can help to promote positive change and create a more just and sustainable world.
| Organization | Mission |
|---|---|
| National Immigration Law Center | To protect the rights of low-income immigrants |
| Environmental Defense Fund | To protect the environment and promote sustainability |
| Climate Justice Alliance | To promote climate justice and reduce greenhouse gas emissions |
| NAACP | To promote racial equality and justice |
Note: The table above is a small sample of organizations that Ben & Jerry’s supports. The company supports many other organizations and initiatives as well.
What inspired Ben & Jerry’s to become a socially responsible company?
Ben & Jerry’s was founded in 1978 by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, two friends who shared a passion for ice cream and social justice. From the beginning, they wanted their company to be more than just a business – they wanted it to be a force for good in the world. They were inspired by the social and environmental movements of the 1960s and 1970s, and they wanted to use their company as a way to make a positive impact.
Ben & Jerry’s commitment to social responsibility was also influenced by their personal values and experiences. Ben Cohen, for example, grew up in a family that valued social justice and community involvement. Jerry Greenfield, on the other hand, was inspired by the counterculture movement of the 1960s and the idea of using business as a way to create positive change. Together, they created a company that would prioritize social and environmental responsibility alongside profit.
What are some examples of Ben & Jerry’s social and environmental initiatives?
Ben & Jerry’s has a long history of social and environmental initiatives. One example is their commitment to using environmentally friendly ingredients and practices. They were one of the first companies to use fair trade cocoa and coffee, and they have also implemented sustainable dairy practices on their farms. Additionally, Ben & Jerry’s has been a leader in the fight against climate change, and they have set a goal to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2025.
Ben & Jerry’s has also been involved in a number of social justice initiatives over the years. They have advocated for issues such as racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and immigrant rights. They have also partnered with a number of non-profit organizations to support causes such as education, healthcare, and economic development. One example is their partnership with the non-profit organization, Values Led Business, which works to promote social and environmental responsibility in business.
How does Ben & Jerry’s prioritize social responsibility in their business decisions?
Ben & Jerry’s prioritizes social responsibility in their business decisions by using a unique decision-making process called the “three-part mission statement.” This process involves considering three factors: product, economic, and social. The product factor involves ensuring that their products are of high quality and meet the needs of their customers. The economic factor involves ensuring that the company is profitable and financially sustainable. The social factor involves considering the social and environmental impact of their decisions.
Ben & Jerry’s also has a number of policies and procedures in place to ensure that social responsibility is integrated into all aspects of their business. For example, they have a social and environmental responsibility team that is responsible for overseeing their sustainability initiatives and ensuring that they are meeting their social and environmental goals. They also have a number of metrics and benchmarks in place to measure their progress and identify areas for improvement.
What is Ben & Jerry’s approach to philanthropy and charitable giving?
Ben & Jerry’s approach to philanthropy and charitable giving is centered around their commitment to social and environmental responsibility. They believe that businesses have a responsibility to give back to their communities and to support causes that align with their values. Ben & Jerry’s has a number of philanthropic programs in place, including the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation, which provides grants to non-profit organizations that are working on social and environmental issues.
Ben & Jerry’s also has a unique approach to charitable giving called the “1% for Peace” program. This program involves donating 1% of their annual sales to peace and social justice organizations. They also have a number of other philanthropic initiatives, such as their “Values Led Business” program, which provides funding and support to businesses that are working to create positive social and environmental change.
How has Ben & Jerry’s commitment to social responsibility impacted their business and brand?
Ben & Jerry’s commitment to social responsibility has had a significant impact on their business and brand. It has helped to establish them as a leader in the socially responsible business movement, and has attracted a loyal customer base that shares their values. Ben & Jerry’s has also seen significant business benefits from their commitment to social responsibility, including increased sales and revenue growth.
Ben & Jerry’s commitment to social responsibility has also helped to build trust and credibility with their customers and stakeholders. It has demonstrated that they are a company that is committed to doing the right thing, even when it is difficult or unpopular. This has helped to build a strong brand reputation and has established Ben & Jerry’s as a company that is truly committed to making a positive impact in the world.
What can other businesses learn from Ben & Jerry’s approach to social responsibility?
Other businesses can learn a number of lessons from Ben & Jerry’s approach to social responsibility. One key takeaway is the importance of integrating social responsibility into all aspects of the business. Ben & Jerry’s has shown that social responsibility is not just a add-on or an afterthought, but rather a core part of the business. They have also demonstrated the importance of being authentic and transparent in their social responsibility efforts.
Another key takeaway is the importance of taking a long-term view when it comes to social responsibility. Ben & Jerry’s has shown that social responsibility is not just a short-term fix, but rather a long-term commitment to creating positive change. They have also demonstrated the importance of being willing to take risks and challenge the status quo in order to create positive social and environmental change.