American Express Company 2015 Corporate Social Responsibility Report

GRI INDEX
Disaster relief
Serving our customers in times of need
is often a simple act, like replacing a lost
card or re-booking a travel arrangement.
But in times of disaster, our Global
Service Network of customer care
professionals locate and assist stranded
or displaced customers and businesses.
We have incorporated disaster relief as
a priority in our philanthropic activities.
And in 2015 we supported the disaster
response efforts for two global disasters:
Earthquake in Nepal: We provided
$200,000 in disaster aid to support
American Red Cross, Save the Children
and the Prime Minister’s National Relief
Fund in India. We also rebated merchant
fees on charitable contributions made on
the American Express Card to eight U.S.
nonprofit organizations for Nepal relief.
Engaging veterans in
disaster response
In 2015 we launched an initiative with
Team Rubicon to engage its veteran
members in disaster mitigation and
habitat improvement projects with the
U.S. Department of the Interior. The
aim was to preserve America’s national
parks and public lands while providing an
opportunity for veterans to serve on the
home front. American Express committed
$300,000 for the first two years of this
effort. So far, nearly 400 veterans have
received specialized disaster response
training and/or been deployed to respond
to natural disasters.
Global refugee crisis: We provided
$120,000 in aid to support the
International Rescue Committee (IRC).
Our donation helped the IRC distribute
essential items such as blankets,
generators and shelters, and to create
basic infrastructure, such as running
water, sanitation and hygiene systems
for European refugee camps. We are a
founding partner of the IRC’s Corporate
Rescue Partners program, a group of
donors that provides regular funding to
the IRC so the organization has funds
readily available to respond to escalating
refugee crises around the globe.
In addition to providing funds for disaster
relief, we also work with partners to help
disaster organizations recruit and engage
disaster response volunteers.
National Day of
Service and Remembrance
We invested significant resources
into reviving downtown
Manhattan, our home since 1850’s.
After the September 11th attacks,
the nonprofit organization My
Good Deed was created to honor
those who died or were injured,
pay tribute to the first responders
and people involved in rescue
efforts, and promote citizen
service and unity.
Thanks to My Good Deed’s efforts,
Federal legislation was passed
in 2009 to establish September
11th National Day of Service and
Remembrance (9/11 Day). We are
a long-standing supporter of 9/11
Day, and have provided over $1.5
million in support since 2007 to
help grow the movement. According
to My Good Deed, in 2015, nearly
30 million Americans observed the
day through charitable acts and
volunteer service.
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