American Express Company 2015 Corporate Social Responsibility Report

GRI INDEX
INTRODUCTION
We’re here to help our customers and our communities. That
means serving in ways that enable the communities in which
we live and work to prosper, and assisting when a helping
hand is needed.
We know that strong and prosperous communities enable strong and prosperous
businesses. But for American Express, the idea is bigger than numbers on a balance
sheet. It’s about our role and responsibility as citizens.
Through our philanthropic and community work, we serve and support those who
are addressing some of society’s most complex issues.
We empower social sector leaders to create sustainable change at a local level. We
help citizens volunteer and improve their local communities. And we preserve the
historic places that keep our communities strong, diverse and vibrant.
2015 HIGHLIGHTS
60+ years, half a billion
dollars: The American Express
Foundation’s legacy.
In the 1850s, American Express
employees contributed to
the fundraising effort to build
a pedestal for the Statue
of Liberty. That ethos of
philanthropy has been integral
to our culture ever since.
CHARITABLE GIVING
At American Express, we focus our charitable giving in three areas:
• Community Service: We enable charitable organizations to engage community
members as volunteers to deliver mission-critical services.
• Leadership: We help to develop emerging leaders who are addressing society’s
most complex issues.
In 1954 we created the American
Express Foundation, a New Yorkbased
non-profit that supports
charitable organizations.
Since then, the Foundation
has provided over half a billion
dollars to thousands of causes
around the world.
• Historic Preservation: We promote stewardship of the historic places that bring
value to local communities.
2015 CHARITABLE GIVING IMPACT
GRANTS
COMMUNITY SERVICE
LEADERSHIP
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
$39M
in grants in 2015 to
6,180 organizations in
ten countries
350K
volunteers engaged in
community service.
6,000
non-profit and social
sector leaders trained.
33
historic sites preserved for
future generations.
(380 direct grants +
5,800 gift matching).
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