I recently spoke with Chris Maddern, president and CEO of Energy Solutions International (and the mastermind behind this site!), and he challenged me to find an organization that truly abides by the social aspect of the triple-bottom line definition of sustainability. While I ran across several companies that were working toward using resources today while leaving enough, if not more, resources for future generations, I had the opportunity to speak with an NGO that truly embodies the social aspect that both Chris and I have been trying to find – Heifer International. While Heifer isn’t worried as much about the economic factor of the triple-bottom line, nonetheless, for companies or leaders of organizations looking to create a model that encompasses the social aspect of sustainability, please read on …

According to Heifer.org, “Heifer's mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth. Heifer does this by providing appropriate livestock, training and related services to small-scale farmers and communities worldwide.” Instead of just sending food or money to at risk areas around the world, Heifer uses their resources to build self-sustaining local environments around the world, providing a constant and growing source of food and income.

Now, is it feasible for businesses to create and run programs that send livestock to those who are starving around the world? Probably not. For companies that want to concentrate on the social aspect, however, there are alternatives. Instead of just sending money and chalking it up as philanthropy and fulfilling the “social requirement,” companies can partner with organizations like Heifer and get involved in creating sustainable local environments around the world. Also, companies can get creative. Shari Ariston, author of “Birth: When spiritual and material come together,” used her personal financial well-being to start a company that consults for private and public entities with regards to underground pipe leakage. The company's (Miya) purpose for being is to reduce the amount of drinkable water that is lost around the world each year (f.y.i., approximately 1/3 of drinkable water is lost worldwide) – Ariston and Miya are striving to leave more drinkable water for future generations than available today. When you are thinking about being socially responsible, I challenge company owners and leaders alike not to only think about how much money you donate, but how much impact you can make if you take strides to leave more resources on this Earth for future generations than are here today.