Project Summary: 

The global Covid-19 Pandemic has taken the world by storm. Overnight, people’s lives were upended suddenly. Health systems were overloaded, and governments have been scrambling to protect citizens from the negative socioeconomic effects the pandemic has caused. However, in light of the tragic devastation Covid-19 has brought upon people’s wellbeing, there are glimmers of light and hope, and they illuminate the best of humanity. It is important to consider acts of generosity in this time of crisis. 

Over the summer, I was tasked with observing this generosity within the Fortune 100 Companies. I began by examining each company’s stance in regards to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). CSR can be defined as a company’s social commitment to giving back. Understanding a company’s CSR policies can help comprehend their actions in response to Covid-19, in which profit might not be a primary motive. I then documented and categorized each company’s actions under a list of general themes I created. Once 75 of the 100 companies were explored, the focus was narrowed down to specific actions taken to aid employees. I once again documented and categorized companies’ actions accordingly, and I reviewed older companies previously researched. The pandemic is dynamic and some of the companies had updated their websites in accordance with new actions taken. This time, I tallied actions under each category, to gain a better understanding of what companies were prioritizing. 

Through this project, I learned a wide variety of skills that will be applicable in my career and my future. Firstly, I learned the methods of detailed research. In writing the final research paper, I gained the ability to synthesize my findings from many sources and communicate them through writing. I also learned how to properly utilize the internet for research purposes, and how to organize a mass amount of information. Additionally, I learned the importance of proofreading papers and the ability to write in an academic fashion. 

Overall, my time spent on the project has not only taught me a lot about the field of philanthropy and generosity, but it has also taught me a variety of skills that I will be able to use in my career and in the future for other purposes. From my experience, I am now a better research and overall student.