CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Corporate Social Responsibility at Nissan
One of Nissan’s global visions is “To improve the quality of life in the communities in which Nissan operates”. We also see Corporate Social Responsibility differently than many other organizations. For Nissan, it is not a communications program designed to make us look good, or just a way of donating to charitable causes. Corporate Social Responsibility is about making our business sustainable for the long term. It is about running our business in such a way that there is no more “win-lose” dynamic with our stakeholders. It is about trust.
In 2008, Nissan Canada and its employees contributed to the realization of this vision, by helping Habitat for Humanity Canada complete the construction of several townhomes in Scarborough, Ontario. The experience proved so rewarding for the over 50 head office employees who were able to participate, that Nissan Canada announced an expanded partnership with Habitat for Humanity Canada for 2009.
This expansion included Nissan Canada very proudly becoming a title home donor, for a home to be built on the first Habitat for Humanity build site in Canada to install EcoGeneration Solar Technology. Employees in Montréal and Vancouver also had the opportunity to pick-up hammers, as the expansion also included “adopt-a-day” sponsorships in those cities.
For 2010, Nissan Canada is yet again expanding its partnership with Habitat for Humanity Canada, with the addition of two more “adopt-a-day” sponsorships in Calgary and Edmonton, locations where Nissan employees will be joined by dealership employees, as they build homes, and build hope.
Since then, the Foundation’s main mission has been to help improve the quality of life for seniors through programs like Meals on Wheels, and by assisting seniors maintain their independence by providing transportation for things such as medical appointments or shopping trips for daily necessities.
Why seniors? Because they’ve fought wars, and won political battles for things we now take for granted; for health care, for unemployment insurance, for universal pensions. In fact, they've struggled for virtually everything that defines us as Canadians.
Today, the Foundation supports over 35 organizations across Canada and supplies over 50 vehicles to those organizations to help them meet seniors’ needs. Totalling over 1.5 million dollars in value, these vehicles deliver nutritious meals through Meals on Wheels agencies, as well as assisting seniors with other transportation needs.
Kudos as well to the over 35 Nissan dealers across Canada, who have supported the Foundation’s efforts all these years, by being “dealer partners” for one or more of the Foundation’s vehicles.A special commendation to our Nissan dealers in western Canada, who each year, take part in a charity golf tournament to raise funds for western based organizations supported by The Nissan Canada Foundation, as well as one organization selected by the dealers. In the last two years, this has led to generous gifts to the Foothills Country Hospice Society, and the Colonel Belcher Society.
The Foundation also provides financial support to The Toronto Challenge, an annual event which raises funds for Toronto seniors.
Seniors represent the past, and Nissan Canada is very proud to be able to support them through the efforts of the Foundation, but Nissan Canada is also committed to supporting the future, which is why we provide over $200,000.00 in bursaries or endowments to various Universities and Colleges across Canada.
Helping to provide for our seniors, and our future leaders, are long-term commitments, but Nissan Canada also strives to help those in need today, or those left in need when disaster strikes.
Donations to local food banks and participation in the Breakfast for Kids Program allow Nissan Canada to help those nearby on an ongoing basis; and this year’s more than $10,000 donation to the Canadian Red Cross will serve to help the thousands affected by the devastating earthquakes in Haiti and Chile.
All of these actions are how we bring to life our vision of “improving the quality of life in the communities in which Nissan operates”; and at Nissan Canada, we call this being a good neighbour, we call this being a “Nissan Neighbour”.
For more information regarding Corporate Social Responsibility at Nissan and how you can help, email us or contact us by writing to:
Corporate Social Responsibility at Nissan
Nissan Canada Inc.
5290 Orbitor Drive
Mississauga, ON
L4W 4Z5
c/o: Corporate Communications at Nissan
