Creating a culture where everyone feels welcome, included and respected is central to our success. Our Social Purpose programs not only inspire us; they also allow us to build stronger ties with our communities.
As an organization, we believe everyone should have the freedom to pursue their dreams and seeks to create a culture of belonging. We strive to develop initiatives to specifically address diversity, equity and inclusion goals — including for recruiting, professional development, retention and advancement, and cross-family cultural awareness — while also continually inculcating inclusion principles into the fabric of the firm. Our focus is on improving education and employment outcomes for all to create a more prosperous society with equal opportunity and enabling new research that builds stronger communities.
Through our sponsorships, we support the economic, social and cultural life of the places we live and work. We provide an extensive program of arts and sports sponsorships to help maintain vibrant, healthy communities. This includes underwriting art exhibitions, events and performances that require private funding to make them a reality. Expanding upon our history of cultural patronage, we are committed to a series of long-term partnerships with cultural institutions to create new programs that will support innovation in creative and cultural thinking. Programs are intended to foreground missing narratives, foster collaboration across disciplines, and help propel transformative ideas that benefit culture and society.
Our affinity networks are open to all who are interested in participating:
Collaborating with Cultural Funders. Our approach to social responsibility includes empowering our people to give back to their communities, operating our firm in ways that are socially responsible and sustainable, and working with our clients to address societal challenges. We bring a range of capabilities and resources to bear, including our healthcare expertise, advanced analytics, functional knowledge, technology assets, network, and investment capacity.
Scholarships and Fellowships. In recent years, we have continued to cultivate talented emerging leaders for both the academy and public service, and various other initiatives. We have sought not only to prepare leaders but to transform institutions, addressing the need for change in American doctoral education and in school-university partnerships that promote the transition to college.
Professional and Collegial Mentorships. The quality of our employees is the cornerstone of our ability to serve our partners and clients. For this reason, we invest tremendous resources to identify exceptional people, develop their skills, and create an environment that fosters their growth as leaders. Our affinity groups facilitate relationships among employees with shared interests and backgrounds and provide a forum in which traditional and peer-mentoring opportunities may develop and flourish.
Time-Honored Architecture. Although the builder’s tools have changed through the years, there is no substitute for craftsmanship and how the tools are used. Architecture is a tool to connect people, engage their senses, and enhance their lives. We remain true to the finest architectural traditions by providing continuous improvement courses throughout the year.
We Believe in America Committee. Our Board of Directors believes that participation in the political process is an important element of our business, one undertaken for the benefit of all company stakeholders. We support individual state candidate campaigns, state political parties and select state and national political associations. Our Employee Political Action Committee is a research group whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative bipartisan public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.
Building Teamwork and Camaraderie. We are committed to using the power of sports to make a profound and lasting difference in the communities where we live, work and play. Across a wide spectrum of professional sports — from football and golf to soccer and endurance sports —we partner with organizations and teams to forge impactful local partnerships that create stronger community ties, drive positive economic impact, expand participation and grow sports for the next generation. Over the years our programs have helped create unforgettable experiences and open doors for youth, both in sports and in life.
Friends of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts. The arts occupy many roles and serve many functions for businesses, governments, and families. Art Builds. Art Questions. Art Transcends Borders. It inspires people, opens perspectives, and enables the embrace of unusual and innovative solutions. Programs for emerging artists, musicians, and cultural institutions enrich cities, and bringing the performing arts into the workplace encourages the kind of thought-leadership that has been integral to our continued success. The Metropolitan Museum of Art Friends of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts gather several times a year for curator-led events, including seminars, behind-the-scenes tours, exhibition previews, and receptions. The group welcomes Friends at every level of art-historical knowledge.