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More and more, ESG is shaping business to align profitability with social responsibility

Nobody understands what a community needs more than the people who live and work there.

Every community has its own rhythm, heartbeat and needs. In Colorado and communities everywhere, city officials work closely with nonprofit partners to solve complex issues and co-create thriving places to be.

Adeeb Khan, executive director of , oversees economic and workforce development for the city, including bringing in new programs, promoting general business growth, supporting entrepreneurs and developing small businesses.

Khan, who has more than a decade of experience building programs and working with nonprofit leadership communities, also helps connect job seekers with opportunities. He works with city leaders to look at Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles holistically: governance to provide accountability for appointed positions; a social focus to create the right programs for people who need them; and an environmental lens to address complex issues like climate change.

Nonprofits driving corporate social responsibility

Khan sees nonprofits as integral, trusted partners in the city’s work who drive economic growth and corporate social responsibility. He emphasizes that nonprofits are leaders when it comes to engaging with important populations such as youth, homeless and veterans. Listening to nonprofit experts is vital because they are much more in touch with the needs of the most vulnerable and are already set up to serve.

“Nonprofit communities and leaders understand the needs of community better than most,” Khan said. “They create solutions and impacts that start with the deep knowledge of living and working in the communities they serve. Nonprofits are community-first and community-led. You can’t solve social impact issues without investments and partnership with local nonprofits.”

Social responsibility is always in fashion

Kyle Copp is one of Denver’s nonprofit leaders using ESG education to create progress and forge the type of impactful community partnerships that Khan promotes.

Copp, the operations and sustainability manager for the nonprofit , studied fashion merchandising in college and always had an interest in renewable materials and sustainable practices in the fashion industry. Copp’s interest in sustainability and diverting waste from landfills led to networking and volunteering time with groups that are passionate about corporate and environmental responsibility.

He earned a certificate in ESG Strategy through the program at Leeds. He invested in the program because it resonated with his commitment to sustainable practices and aligns with his organization’s values.

“I was interested in creating a materiality report for my organization and thought I could use more education,” Copp said. “I want to create a stronger commitment to improvements and work with our board of directors to foster involvement. There needs to be a larger commitment to sustainability – not just one person.”

Using ESG strategy in the nonprofit sector

Copp said the marketing sections of the ESG Strategy program especially resonated with him as a nonprofit professional. He plans to use the skills he acquired to promote storytelling and sharing the impact of sustainability initiatives.

“One thing I am finding is that volunteers love being involved and working with nonprofits dedicated to sustainability,” he said. “Having volunteers participate in some of our green days and recycling initiatives resonates with them and is something we want to continue to build.”

Copp appreciates that the instructors and guest speakers for the ESG certificate program are working professionals who can draw from personal and professional experiences. Breakout sessions with peers during class were one of the biggest benefits. Copp found that class discussions came to life when others shared their perspectives and experiences. He believes large corporations must lead the way in investing in the future through environmental efforts.

“Nonprofits are a great way to show innovation and creativity when funding ESG initiatives,” Copp said. “With most fundraising going to advance missions, there is little money for ESG and sustainability. You must be creative and innovative to advance these areas.”

He adds, “We don’t allow lack of funding to stop us from trying to find grants and make changes to the organization to make us as sustainable as possible. There is always something more you can be doing. Showing that commitment to sustainability shows your commitment to the community.”

Khan echoes Copp’s thoughts about the value of the Certificate in ESG Strategy from Leeds. He notes that ESG fundamentals and skills can be implemented at any career stage and are transferrable across sectors.

“It is a great opportunity to learn key components of the ESG world,” Khan said. “ESG is shaping how business operates and how we measure overall value that a company and nonprofit brings. For nonprofits, it’s great for building knowledge on how to collect corporate dollars and identifying mission-aligned businesses that will invest in your nonprofit. Younger people are more likely to invest in values-driven businesses, and it’s an area that’s going to continue to grow."