In a world where skepticism often overshadows the philanthropic gestures of corporate giants and nonprofits, it’s refreshing to encounter those rare entities that genuinely seem to get it right.
This year’s Halo Award Corporation and Nonprofit of the Year winners, Google.org and charity: water, have managed to do just that.
They’ve not only redefined the benchmarks when it comes to corporate social impact. They’ve transformed these standards into opportunities for broader engagement, inviting us all to join in their mission.
Together, these organizations demonstrate a powerful alignment in the tech space, wielding tools that are not only shaping our future but are also mapping the future of corporate social impact in a big, bold, and transformative way.
But let’s unpack that a bit—because when you hear about tech and transformative impact, it’s easy to imagine robots making our coffee or AI predicting our favorite pizza topping. Yet, what Google.org and charity: water are brewing up isn’t just smart—it’s visionary.
2024 Halo Award Corporation of the Year: Google.org, using technology to scale solutions for global challenges
Let’s start with Google.org.
They’ve been pairing up with the likes of GiveDirectly to tackle the logistical nightmare that is disaster relief.
Their brainchild? An AI tool that performs automatic building damage assessments from aerial imagery of disaster sites. This tool, a critical innovation in the aftermath of crises, enhances aid efficiency by pinpointing disaster-struck areas from above and deciding who needs help the fastest.
Then there’s their work in India, where they’ve been collaborating with the nonprofit Wadhwani AI in using an AI tool to help farmers spot pesky crop-destroying bugs.
Moreover, Google.org has also been using its massive research and data analysis footprint to step into the ring to fight antibiotic resistance. They joined forces to assist Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders) in developing an app that helps diagnose bacterial infections from a picture of a petri dish.
And can we talk about their Google.org Fellowship for a moment?
That program isn’t your average corporate volunteer gig. The Fellowship was born from a crystal-clear observation.
“Nonprofits were consistently telling us that they wanted to do more with AI and other advanced technologies, but it was difficult to find and retain the software engineers, product managers, UXers, and others that companies like Google relied on to build great products,” said Jen Carter, Global Head of Technology at Google.org and founder of the Google.org Fellowship.
Simultaneously, Googlers (Google employees, for the uninitiated) were itching to deploy their tech prowess on projects that mattered more than their day-to-day.
So, for the Fellowship, they mobilize teams of Googlers to do full-time pro bono work for up to six months—using their skills in engineering, product management and user experience design—to help Google.org grantees solve some of their toughest technical challenges.
The effectiveness of these campaigns is measured not just by their immediate output but also by their lasting impact on the communities they serve.
For example, the Google.org Fellows’ collaboration with the City of Seattle led to the creation of civiform.us, a tool that drastically simplifies the benefits application process and unlocks significant financial aid for families.
Looking forward, Google.org is keen on scaling its AI prowess further across the nonprofit sector.
“Four in five nonprofits think generative AI may be applicable to their work, yet nearly half said their organization is not currently using the technology,” Jen said.
That’s why Google.org is launching a new initiative to break down these barriers with a $15 million commitment to support AI skills training and a $20 million accelerator program dedicated to helping nonprofits use GenAI, Jen said.
Through their global collaborations and initiatives like the Google.org Fellowship, Google is setting a benchmark for how corporations can wield their immense resources and expertise to forge real change—turning the idealistic mantra of “tech for good” into tangible, impactful actions.
2024 Halo Award Nonprofit of the Year: charity: water, making every drop count
Switching gears to charity: water, which has funded more than 152,000 water projects across 29 countries to help more than 18.4 million people access clean water, hygiene and improved sanitation.
Since their launch in 2006, they’ve been all about transparent operations. Their radical funding model involves 100% of your donation actually going to the project.
That’s one of the reasons why Scott Harrison, charity: water’s founder and CEO, decided to start the organization.
“The problem we were trying to solve is that so many people don’t trust charities, and they just don’t know where their money’s going,” Scott said. “They often ask, ‘Is it actually going to help anyone?’ Is it going to line the pockets of some fake charity CEO who hired his wife and cousins and nephews, and very little money goes out?’”
The organization’s technological advancements, such as developing a long-lasting, tamper-proof hand pump sensor, demonstrate an innovative approach to solving the age-old problem of water scarcity.
This sensor not only facilitates real-time monitoring of water sources but also embodies charity: water’s dedication to sustainable solutions.
But wait—there’s more to these sensors than meets the eye (or the well).
These savvy devices do more than just keep tabs on water flow—they beam back real-time data directly to charity: water’s servers.
This is no minor feat. It means that every drop of donor generosity is accounted for, and every ripple of impact is mapped with precision.
But here’s the kicker: this data isn’t just for keeping internal tabs. It’s shared with donors and partners too, providing them a transparent view of exactly where their money is going and the tangible impact it’s creating.
Their partnerships are also quite the headline.
Leveraging Scott’s expertise as an event promoter, charity: water has creatively collaborated with all kinds of brands and companies over the years, from luxury retailers like Saks 5th Avenue to American Express and Apple—leveraging their platforms for awareness and fundraising.
Their secret to success?
“We’re constantly pitching: Here’s the mission, here’s the need, here’s what our organization is doing, will you help?” Scott said.
And then there’s the recent $50 million commitment from Kalahari Resorts.
Scott explained that the deal was a mix of strategic negotiation and showcasing a vision that meshed perfectly with Kalahari’s corporate ethos and their aspirations for making a big splash—pun intended—in philanthropy.
Scott said the pitch highlighted how their funds would directly hydrate a million lives in Africa, showcasing the dire need and significant impact.
For Kalahari Resorts, operators of extensive water parks, jumping into a partnership focused on water cleanliness was a no-brainer. After all, who better understands the critical value of having access to clean water better than those who fill pools for a living?
All of charity: water’s efforts demonstrate that their mission goes beyond just building wells. It’s about creating sustainable ecosystems and giving donors a clear view of where their cash is making waves.
Innovating for impact
Both Google.org and charity: water are proving that with the right mix of innovation, transparency, and a bit of tech wizardry, a profound social impact is not just possible—but replicable.
So here’s to this year’s pioneers of partnerships! As we navigate the tricky terrain of corporate responsibility and social impact, organizations like these light the way.
Let their stories inspire not just admiration, but action.
Ready to see corporate-nonprofit innovation and impact in action? Join us at The Halos and EFG2024 for an unforgettable experience of inspiration and networking!
