3M Launches a New Sustainability Goal With Global Skills-Based Volunteer Program

St. Paul, Minnesota-based 3M announces that it is expanding its 2025 Sustainability Goals with a new commitment: to provide 300,000 work hours of skills-based volunteerism by 3M employees.

The company says the idea is to work increase employee empowerment and enrich communities around the world where 3M has a presence.

“(Non-governmental organizations), universities and social enterprises around the world face resource constraints to address the environmental and social challenges in their communities,” says Gayle Schueller, 3M vice president and chief sustainability officer. “With this new goal, we’re empowering our employees to give back beyond 3M products and technologies, as well as traditional volunteerism, by leveraging their professional skills to help organizations reach their goals.”

To reach 300,000 hours, the company is expanding 3M Impact, a skills-based service program that allows employees to lend their business skills, experience and energy to make a difference in global communities, while also developing leadership, problem-solving and interpersonal communication skills. In 2020, 200 3M employees will travel to 15 cities around the world to work side-by-side with nonprofits, organizations, and local municipalities. To help facilitate these diverse projects, 3M partners with the industry-leading advisory firm, PYXERA Global.

“This new commitment will make 3M Impact the fastest-growing skills-based global pro bono program,” says Gavin Cepelak, senior vice president, global pro bono at PYXERA Global. “People want to work for companies that are purpose-driven, and I’m delighted to see 3M’s increased investment in their employees and communities with this announcement.”

Along with international volunteer projects, 3M Impact will also provide opportunities for employees in their own communities.

3M’s 2025 Sustainability Goals were established in 2015 and have become increasingly ambitious over time. The new skills-based volunteerism pledge brings the number of 2025 Sustainability Goals to 15 and builds upon additional sustainability commitments by the company.

To learn more about 3M’s 2025 sustainability goals and commitments, click here. To learn more about 3M Impact, click here.