We place great importance on the meaningful relationships we’ve built with communities throughout our service area. By working side by side with local partners, we develop essential energy infrastructure that delivers dependable power while also strengthening and uplifting the neighborhoods where these facilities are located.

Across many towns in the region, we have collaborated with municipal leaders, residents, arts organizations and other community stakeholders to design substations and other critical energy assets that incorporate creative elements such as murals, art walls and custom visual features. These thoughtful designs transform functional buildings into spaces that not only supply electricity but also add vibrancy and character to their surroundings.

In addition to meeting the increasing demand for reliable energy, these initiatives have empowered residents to take part in improving their communities, highlighted the talents of local artists and helped revitalize entire neighborhoods. As an organization deeply committed to corporate citizenship, we are proud to partner with local communities to rethink the look and feel of energy infrastructure and inspire local pride.

Newark’s community art wall
Our first community-focused art infrastructure initiative took shape in Newark with the Fairmount Heights Switching Station, which became operational in March 2018. The facility was constructed to address anticipated transmission constraints, provide emergency support to the nearby Newark Switching Station and strengthen system reliability following the impacts of Superstorm Sandy.

While there were early concerns about placing the facility within a residential area, the project ultimately demonstrated what can be achieved through genuine community engagement. By welcoming residents into the planning process, the project resulted in the region’s first substation “art wall.” Spanning 48,000 square feet and standing 30 feet tall, the wall showcases artwork from 14 artists of diverse backgrounds, including six Newark-based creators. Beyond enhancing the site’s appearance, the project generated local employment and became a source of neighborhood pride.

This successful public-private partnership set a precedent for future PSE&G initiatives, highlighting how infrastructure upgrades and community identity can grow together.

Celebrating history and culture in Irvington
In Irvington, a section of Nye Avenue has been reimagined through a vibrant series of portraits displayed along the concrete walls surrounding our electric substation. Designed by nine artists, the Legends Way collection honors significant locations, moments and influential figures that have shaped the township’s history.

The substation was constructed to replace outdated equipment, improve system reliability and expand capacity, supplying electricity to approximately 14,500 Irvington customers. Its impact, however, extends well beyond power delivery, serving as a visible symbol of community pride.

At the artwork unveiling ceremony in August 2025, Mayor Tony Vauss described the portraits as a celebration of the individuals and ideas that helped define the community.

A new landmark in Orange
In Orange, a replacement substation was required after the existing facility proved vulnerable to flooding during severe storms, including Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Irene. These events put critical equipment at risk and threatened outages for nearly 9,000 homes and businesses.

The former station, located across from the new Orange Heights Switching Station, was also no longer capable of supporting the needs of a growing and increasingly complex electric grid. The new facility addresses these challenges while also delivering a design shaped by community input.

By partnering with township leaders, residents and the Valley Arts District, we hosted public workshops to gather ideas and feedback. The resulting design features a perimeter wall styled to resemble a city streetscape, complete with doors and windows, illuminated signage, landscaped areas, seating and a bold abstract mural inspired by the interconnected nature of the electric grid.

The welcoming pedestrian design and enhanced landscaping reflect the positive outcomes that can result when private organizations and civic partners collaborate on essential infrastructure projects.

“These projects exemplify PSE&G’s approach to working closely with local stakeholders to strengthen the communities we serve. Through these partnerships, we can support neighborhood revitalization and create new economic opportunities for residents and businesses.”

— Rick Thigpen, PSE&G Senior Vice President for Corporate Citizenship

Community partnerships at the core of our work
At PSE&G, we believe the most impactful projects are rooted in cooperation, innovation and shared community pride. As we continue to upgrade and expand our energy system, we remain dedicated to ensuring that our work not only delivers safe, reliable power but also contributes to a sense of identity, purpose and pride in the communities we serve.

Corporate citizenship is experiencing its most significant evolution in more than ten years. Today, it’s no longer sufficient for organizations to simply operate social impact initiatives. Companies are now expected to prove that their corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts are purposeful, tightly aligned with business priorities, focused on measurable outcomes, and genuinely embedded into everyday operations.

Insights from the Benevity Impact Labs 2025 State of Corporate Purpose Report—which analyzed proprietary data from the giving, volunteering, and grantmaking programs of over 1,000 global companies—show that nearly two-thirds of organizations meaningfully recalibrated their purpose strategies in the past year. Heightened stakeholder expectations, increasingly polarized social conversations, regulatory uncertainty, and intensifying competition for talent are all driving this shift. Together, these forces shape both the risks and opportunities organizations must address as they plan their CSR and ESG strategies for 2026.
The 2025 findings highlight several key takeaways for senior leaders and impact practitioners as they look ahead.

Navigating the new risk landscape: Finding balance between restraint and resolve
As purpose strategies become more sophisticated and regulatory scrutiny grows, companies are confronting a widening disconnect between executive caution and employee activism.

The data illustrates this tension clearly: 52% of leaders anticipate that CEOs will reduce public commentary on divisive social issues, while 76% expect employee-led advocacy to increase in the coming year. Although leadership silence may be intended to limit external risk, it can inadvertently create internal brand challenges. When organizations refrain from taking positions, employees often step in—launching grassroots initiatives without formal oversight, guidance, or compliance support.

As a result, the emphasis must move away from public statements and toward operational integrity—how impact work is executed internally and reflected externally. Benevity’s data shows CSR teams collaborating more closely than ever with other functions, particularly executive leadership, legal, HR, and communications, with the steepest growth occurring in communications partnerships.

Deep integration across these teams is now essential to ensure consistent, credible storytelling around impact results and organizational values—rather than reactive messaging tied to social or political flashpoints. This alignment is especially critical given how quickly both employees and consumers have responded to perceived inaction over the past year.

As Andrew Jones, Principal Researcher at The Conference Board’s Governance & Sustainability Center, noted on the Speaking of Purpose podcast, many leaders underestimate expectations: silence on contentious topics may be interpreted not as neutrality, but as avoidance—particularly by employees, younger consumers, and investors.

Employee-driven priorities: Building resilience through participation
According to SHRM’s 2025 Talent Trends report, hiring challenges remain acute, with 69% of organizations struggling to fill permanent roles. In this environment, purpose programs have become a vital lever for workforce stability and retention. Benevity’s data confirms a strong correlation between employee participation in purpose initiatives and improved retention—especially among newer employees.

Key insights include:

The resurgence of volunteering: Strengthening engagement and well-being
Volunteer programs are increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of organizational resilience, with 94% of companies affirming their positive impact. Notably, volunteering stands out as the only workplace initiative—among 90 evaluated—that demonstrated a positive effect on employee well-being and sense of belonging.

With the United Nations designating 2026 as the International Year of Volunteering, organizations have a timely opportunity to expand their efforts. Benevity data indicates that volunteering participation has grown steadily since post-pandemic reopening and is projected to rise by approximately 11% in 2025. Companies are shifting toward more intentional, high-impact formats, including skills-based, team-based, and virtual volunteering—approaches well-suited to hybrid and remote work environments.

Refining grantmaking strategies: Emphasizing trust and capacity
Grantmaking practices are also adapting to meet evolving needs. Across the ecosystem, companies are placing greater emphasis on flexibility, trust, and long-term capacity building.
Notable trends include:

Despite progress, the Benevity Grants Confidence Gap Report reveals a persistent disconnect: while 74% of grantmakers follow best practices, only 51% believe they are doing so effectively. Bridging this gap requires stronger trust-based approaches, clearer communication, and closer alignment with stakeholder expectations.

Preparing for 2026: A strategic roadmap
To successfully navigate this period of transformation, corporate citizenship leaders should prioritize data-driven decision-making anchored in accountability and engagement.
Key strategic actions include:

The transformation of corporate citizenship into a fully integrated, enterprise-wide strategy is now complete. In 2026 and beyond, the organizations that lead will be those that harness real-time data to activate purpose at work—delivering authentic, employee-driven programs that align with core values, strengthen communities, engage stakeholders, and contribute meaningfully to business performance. These companies won’t just succeed in the near term; they will position themselves to thrive well beyond 2026.

GivingTuesday marks the start of the global season of generosity for communities everywhere. With countless nonprofits and causes seeking support, it’s understandable to ask where help is most needed, whether there’s a “best” way to give, and how much is enough.

Lenovo’s global corporate citizenship team is here to offer guidance. Through years of building community partnerships and leading employee giving initiatives, we’ve learned what creates real, lasting impact. Explore the insights below for practical tips—and remember to pay it forward this giving season.

Start with the causes that matter most to you.
"It sounds straightforward, but being clear about what you care about—and what you hope to achieve by giving your time or money—is a crucial first step. If you’re unsure, think about the issues that have inspired you to act in the past or prompted you to volunteer. Consider which causes you’d still support even if it meant sacrificing a personal purchase. Those are the ones truly worthy of your commitment," said Alice Damasceno, Director, Latin America Corporate Citizenship and ESG Communications

There’s no single “correct” way to give.
"What matters most is creating meaningful impact in the areas you care about. Organizations delivering immediate relief—such as food, water, or shelter during emergencies—are just as vital as those focused on long-term, systemic solutions like sustainable infrastructure. If you’re new to giving, conversations with friends or family about what they support and why can be a helpful place to start," said Libby Richards, North America Community Engagement Manager, ISO

Identify where your contribution can do the most good.
"Begin with the challenges that resonate with you, then research organizations that are well-positioned to turn your support into measurable change. Reviewing impact reports can help you understand where your resources may stretch the furthest," said Camila Piscicelli, Program Manager, Latin America Corporate Citizenship

Think about the type of impact you want to create.
"Would you rather help a large number of people or make a profound difference in one individual’s life? Both approaches are valuable. Some initiatives may appear less efficient when measured purely by numbers, yet they deliver meaningful, life-changing results," said Alicja Skalna, Program Manager, EMEA Corporate Citizenship.

Every act of generosity counts.
"No matter the size, each contribution helps foster a stronger, more inclusive society. The most impactful giving responds to real community needs—whether through volunteering, sharing resources, or offering support in simple but meaningful ways. Let’s honor the spirit of generosity by supporting one another where it matters most," said Pratima Harite, Head of Corporate Citizenship, Asia Pacific

When you can, offer your time before your money.
"Volunteering provides firsthand insight into an organization’s mission, challenges, and strengths, helping you understand how to best support their work. Groups that effectively manage volunteers often demonstrate strong stewardship of other resources as well," said Monica Hauser Wolff, Director, Global Corporate Citizenship and ESG Communications.

Focus on consistency, not contribution size.
"Choose one or two organizations to support regularly and look for natural opportunities to give—such as during holidays, personal milestones, or bonus periods. Whether through time or financial contributions, steady support builds meaningful impact over time, especially when employer matching is available," said Sydni Behm, Strategic Program Manager, Global Corporate Citizenship

Giving can also be a form of gratitude.
"For some, generosity is simply a way to express appreciation. The Love on platform offers an easy way to say “thank you” by supporting thousands of vetted charities, including Lenovo’s key partners. If you’re new to it, start small and give to any cause—just remember to give freely, without expecting anything in return," said Santiago Mendez Galvis, Head of Corporate Citizenship, EMEA

You can learn learn more about Lenovo’s global philanthropy and employee giving programs like Love on Month of Service in Lenovo’s latest ESG Report.

We are excited to share that our Jáltipan facility has been honored with the Veracruz State Quality Award, presented by SEDECOP. This distinction is the Government of Veracruz’s highest acknowledgment for organizations that excel in quality management, continuous improvement, competitiveness, and customer-centered operations.

This recognition highlights Jáltipan’s outstanding performance and its strong dedication to social and environmental stewardship—key elements that contributed to earning this award. Through collective effort, the plant is making a meaningful impact by strengthening local communities and restoring natural ecosystems. Notable accomplishments include:

The award was formally presented on December 5, marking a significant milestone for our team. Carlos Gomez, Executive Vice President, Mexico, commented: “This achievement is a proud moment for our team, demonstrating the discipline, customer commitment, and collaboration that define Jáltipan. It underscores Covia’s focus on quality, environmental care, safety, and performance, and our commitment to embracing best practices that meet the highest standards.”

This moment also aligns with a meaningful milestone—Jáltipan’s 70th anniversary, celebrated earlier this year—which offered an opportunity to honor the plant’s long-standing accomplishments and its culture of safety, teamwork, and innovation.

We extend heartfelt congratulations to Baldemar Salinas, VP of Operations & Mexico, and Francisco Mayo, Jáltipan Plant Manager, for their exceptional leadership. Our appreciation also goes to the entire Jáltipan team for their dedication and for making this outstanding achievement possible!

For the ninth year in a row, Lenovo’s Love on Month of Service (LMOS) has continued to expand—both in the impact it makes in communities and in the level of employee participation. LMOS encourages employees across the globe to dedicate their time and skills to local challenges, often centered around improving access to education and technology. The initiative gives employee project leaders the freedom to design and lead service activities tailored to local needs, engaging colleagues in meaningful community support. Since its launch in 2017, LMOS has become a defining element of Lenovo’s corporate citizenship and philanthropic culture.

Each year, Lenovo strives to increase the program’s reach through at least one measurable goal—such as growing the number of volunteers, increasing volunteer hours, boosting beneficiary impact, or expanding the number of participating locations. In 2025, the global corporate citizenship team celebrated growth across every one of these indicators.

A hallmark of LMOS is its employee-driven structure. While Lenovo provides the tools and support, the ideas and execution come directly from its people. This year, employees led more than 160 projects across various regions and online, each crafted to address specific community needs.

Teams from 81 office locations contributed close to 22,000 volunteer hours across 5,636 service activities. Their efforts supported 90,673 individuals worldwide—demonstrating the program’s scale and the dedication Lenovo employees bring to improving lives.

This momentum was driven by diverse volunteer opportunities focused on digital inclusion, education, sustainability, and disability support—areas that reflect Lenovo’s mission to deliver Smarter Technology for All.

In Amsterdam, Lenovo volunteers joined the Football for All initiative, partnering with Sport Club Only Friends to promote accessibility in sports. They took part in inclusive football sessions that emphasized the value of adaptive equipment and inclusive environments for athletes of all abilities.

“It was eye-opening to experience the game from a different perspective,” shared Santiago Mendez Galvis, Head of EMEA Corporate Citizenship. “Accessibility is about more than facilities—it’s about empathy and ensuring everyone feels welcome.”

In Argentina, employees teamed up with United Way Argentina to refurbish an educational center serving youth from low-income communities, including painting and beautifying the outdoor environment.

“There’s a great sense of pride when people from different teams unite for a common cause,” said Alice Damasceno, Director of Corporate Citizenship for Latin America. “Giving back isn't just something we do—it’s part of our identity.”

Across several cities in China, Lenovo volunteers partnered with students for immersive STEM and AI learning experiences. Activities included building robots, exploring fossils, touring Lenovo offices, and learning about innovation and tech careers.

In North Carolina, employees organized a community bike ride to raise awareness and funds for local nonprofits. The event concluded with volunteers assembling and donating bikes to students at a nearby school—promoting independence, transportation, and joy.

“When we combine our passion for service with genuine community needs, the impact is tremendous,” noted Libby Richards, Senior Community Engagement Manager at Lenovo. “This project allowed employees to get involved physically, give back, and support students in a meaningful way.”

In Indonesia, nearly 1,000 mangrove trees were planted by Lenovo employees alongside local environmental groups. The project aimed to strengthen coastal ecosystems, support biodiversity, reduce erosion, and enhance climate resilience.

“Mangroves are nature’s guardians—they protect coastlines, nourish marine ecosystems, and store carbon,” said Pratima Harite, Head of Corporate Citizenship for Asia Pacific. “Our volunteers embraced this effort wholeheartedly, demonstrating Lenovo’s culture of purpose-driven action and environmental stewardship.”

Beyond its community benefits, LMOS enhances Lenovo’s employee experience by strengthening connection, fostering teamwork, and building pride in a company that prioritizes giving back. The program also supports well-being and promotes collaboration across teams and departments.

As LMOS continues to evolve, Lenovo remains committed to deepening the program’s influence. The 10th Love on Month of Service in 2026 will be a milestone—celebrating what can be achieved when innovation is guided by empathy.

Love on! (Fun fact: it’s an anagram of Lenovo!)