Top Socially Responsible Companies

I thought that a list of companies that are accomplishing what I intend to write about would be a good way to start this blog. I recently read an article by Seth Fiegerman on Mainstreet.com entitled 10 Socially Responsible Companies that compiled a list based on charitable donations, environmentally friendly policies, and the fairness of hiring practices. The first three in the list have to do with donations to charity, the next three with hiring practices and the last three with environmental practices. There was also one wild card company who was not at the top of any of these three categories but instead had honorable mention in each. This list consisted of:

1. Abbott Laboratories
2. Tyson Foods
3. Pfizer
4. AT&T
5. Johnson & Johnson
6. Sodexo
7. Timberland
8. General Electric
9. Stonyfield
10. IBM

This list had some companies that I wouldn't have thought would make the cut and others that I had never heard of or had never considered belonging in this category.  They also ranged in industry and in ways of giving back but all are worth recognizing for their contributions to charity, progressive hiring practices, and environmental responsibility. The two that stand out the most to me are Pfizer and IBM, both of which I hadn't previously thought of as companies that give back. It is encouraging to see a company like Pfizer who is part of the very profitable pharmaceutical industry give so much money to charity. In 2009 it donated over $60 million which represents 24.2% of its total profits for the year. The second standout was the wild card for this list: IBM. Though this firm wasn't at the top of any of the three lists in ranked 2nd in green practices, 8th in diversity and donated almost $42 million in 2009.