GRI INDEX HISTORIC PRESERVATION Our roots in the travel services industry have given us a deep respect for the cultural and economic value historic sites bring to communities around the world. Promoting stewardship of these sites is both a commitment and an opportunity to ensure that future generations can enjoy them. <strong>2015</strong> HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRANT IMPACT: 9.1M TOTAL VALUE OF GRANTS 33 HISTORIC SITES PRESERVED 7 COUNTRIES (U.S., U.K., Netherlands, Mexico, Canada, Singapore, China) Preserving our collective past for future generations We are the founding sponsor of World Monuments Watch (WMW), which draws attention to cultural heritage sites around the world threatened by neglect, vandalism, armed conflict, commercial development, natural disasters and climate change. Our grants to the WMW, which total $16.5 million, have preserved 160 sites in 70 countries ensuring their legacy and cultural significance for future generations. Revitalizing cultural legacies In <strong>2015</strong>, we made a $1 million commitment to Massey Hall, Toronto, for a large-scale revitalization project. This marks an important chapter in the story of a unique Canadian cultural institution. Massey Hall is not just a national historic site; it’s a place where music history is made. Over the past 120 years it has hosted some of the world’s most renowned artists, from Bob Dylan and B.B. King, to Aretha Franklin and Adele, along with a host of Canadian talent such as Gordon Lightfoot, RUSH, Glenn Gould and Neil Young. Since 1974, <strong>American</strong> <strong>Express</strong> has contributed nearly $60 million to preserving more than 500 iconic historic sites including The Temple of Hercules in Rome and the Palace of Fine Art in Mexico City. Preserving five <strong>American</strong> National Treasure sites In <strong>2015</strong>, we provided $1 million in funding to the National Trust for historic preservation to support the restoration and preservation of five diverse National Treasure sites. National Treasures are endangered buildings, neighborhoods, communities and landscapes that reveal the vibrancy of the <strong>American</strong> story. The sites selected to receive these grants reflect important chapters in U.S. history, from Negro League baseball to architectural modernism, and the railroad boom to the Civil Rights Era. The sites include: Hinchliffe Stadium (Paterson, New Jersey), Pullman National Monument (Chicago, Illinois), Painted Desert Community Complex (Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona), Sweet Auburn Historic District (Atlanta, Georgia), and Federal Hall National Memorial (New York, New York). Refurbishing the Singapore River Walk We provided a grant to the National Heritage Board to refurbish the Singapore River Walk. The River Walk traces the development of the Singapore River spanning from Collyer Quay to Robertson Quay. The Walk focuses on the contributions of the river in Singapore’s mercantile development, tracing the various communities on its banks, as well as the spectacular architecture and history of its bridges. The National Heritage Board honored <strong>American</strong> <strong>Express</strong> with its Friend of Heritage award for supporting the project. 54
SERVING OUR ENVIRONMENT Doing our part to sustain the world’s resources 56 Operational efficiency 60 Enabling customers 61 Empowering employees 55