This Oct. 28-29 marks the 2025 Business Solves conference, a convening that spotlights the transformative role of business in addressing society’s most pressing challenges. Each year, the conference brings together leaders across industries who are demonstrating how business can leverage its strengths to advance solutions that matter.
From civic engagement to disaster response, these organizations are demonstrating what’s possible when business acts as a force for good:
1. Civic Engagement: Travelers, Microsoft, and :hire
Travelers, Microsoft, and :hire lead distinct approaches to strengthening democratic participation:
- Travelers encourages its employees to actively participate in democracy and become civic leaders. By providing nonpartisan education and volunteer engagement, they empower their employees to apply professional skills to benefit where they live and work.
- Microsoft emphasizes the link between civic health and economic stability. Their civic responsibility efforts aim to strengthen democratic institutions, recognizing that a healthy democracy is essential for a thriving business environment.
- :hire is addressing the civic knowledge gap by promoting foundational skills, such as collaboration and compromise. Its leadership advocates for restoring civics education and rebuilding trust in institutions, starting in the workplace.
2. Disaster Resilience: FedEx
FedEx leads in disaster response through support for initiatives like the U.S. Chamber Foundation's Readiness for Resiliency program, which offers guidance on emergency preparedness and recovery for small businesses. Whether helping communities and small businesses bounce back after a disaster or delivering aid in crisis zones, FedEx mobilizes its operations to build more resilient communities.
3. Workforce Development: PNC
PNC’s Grow Up Great initiative helps prepare young learners for success and supports long-term talent development. Similarly, as a past Citizens Awards finalist, PNC’s PartnerUp® program connects high school students with career pathways by equipping them with resume-building, interview skills, and direct access to employers.
4. Community Health: Abbott
Abbott’s health initiatives expand access to nutrition and care in communities across the U.S. Their Healthy Food Rx program, recognized as a 2023 Citizens Awards finalist, offers one of the largest “food is medicine” efforts for people with diabetes. In collaboration with local partners, the program delivers recipe-based food boxes, health education, and virtual cooking classes directly to participants’ homes. Study results show improvements in diet quality and health status, positioning Healthy Food Rx as a scalable model for community-based health innovation.
5. Community Investment: PepsiCo Foundation
The PepsiCo Foundation’s Food for Good initiative addresses hunger and improves access to nutritious meals. Recognized as a 2023 Citizens Awards finalist, the program blends philanthropic purpose with business capabilities, leveraging supply chain expertise and community partnerships to deliver sustainable solutions.
6. Financial Empowerment: Edward Jones
Edward Jones’ financial literacy programs help individuals and families build long-term economic mobility and plan for the future through education and other support. Earlier this year, leaders from Edward Jones joined the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s International Women’s Day Forum, highlighting how employers can support caregivers navigating work and family responsibilities. The firm was recognized as a 2024 Citizens Awards finalist for its longstanding support of Alzheimer’s care and research, reinforcing its broader commitment to health, wellness, and economic stability.
7. Sustainability Innovation: RTX
RTX is advancing sustainable technologies and workforce development in aerospace and defense, contributing to both environmental goals and economic resilience. As a 2023 Citizens Awards finalist, RTX was recognized for its partnership with NAF to expand access to engineering and technology education. Through real-world learning experiences and paid internships, this program is helping prepare high school students for college and careers in STEM.
Join Us Oct. 28-29
These companies represent just a glimpse of what's possible when businesses commit to solving society's greatest challenges. But the real power of the Business Solves conference isn't just celebrating achievements—it's about sparking the connections, conversations, and collaborations that will define the next chapter of corporate citizenship.
Join us at Business Solves to be a part of the solution.
About the author
June Evins
June was a summer 2025 intern at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation supporting programs and events.
