Sappi North America Employee Ideas That Matter

About Project

Purpose:
Inspired by the two decades worth of success from Sappi’s Ideas That Matter program, Sappi North America, Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper, packaging products and pulp, has hosted its Employee Ideas that Matter (EITM) grant program since 2016. EITM is a semi-annual grant program designed to bring charitable ideas to life. The program recognizes and supports volunteering efforts of employees for nonprofit organizations in their communities through direct funding.
Beneficiaries:
Each year, EITM commits Sappi North America to donate up to $50,000 to causes that are important to employees. While Sappi’s core focus areas for social responsibility include environmental, educational, health and safety, entrants are not limited to submit for causes within these categories.
In 2022, entrants submitted projects for nonprofits that provide resources for local vulnerable children and families in need, educational resources, support for at-risk youth, among others. Employees themselves also benefit from the program by raising awareness for a cause they are passionate about and inspiring fellow co-workers to get involved. The program also rounds out Sappi’s overall commitment to social responsibility by giving back directly to its local communities in addition to its national CSR projects through these efforts.
Examples of the organizations that Sappi has supported through the program include:
Common Unity Place, Nominated by Kevin Reed, Engineering Employee at Somerset Mill
To address some of the basic needs of the Skowhegan area, Common Unity Place (C.U.P) provides free clothing through their community clothes closet. One of their greatest needs is access to personal hygiene essentials. Sappi’s funds will contribute to launching a personal care pantry – including access to soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes and feminine hygiene products – to service low-income residents of Skowhegan and the surrounding towns. Additionally, grant funds will contribute to building a closet and display that will serve as a private space for patrons to access these personal care items.
Portland Recovery Center, Nominated by Javon Clark, Office Manager at Sappi’s Technology Center

The Portland Recovery Center provides support, education and resources for people recovering from and affected by addiction, and spreads the message of hope throughout the State of Maine. Sappi’s funds will allow the Center to plan and build a community garden in honor of lives lost due to the opioid crisis, as well as construct an outdoor sanctuary for the individuals that use their facility as part of their continued growth and recovery.
My Place Teen Center (MPTC), Nominated by Lynn Palmer, Marketing Employee at Sappi’s Technology Center
My Place Teen Center (MPTC) is a free, year-round, after-school program for kids and teens with the mission to create a safe haven for at-risk youth in Westbrook. MPTC’s goal is to sustain children and teens with comfort, meals, resources, and hope. Annually, $5,000 is spent to provide items for the Teen Store and with Sappi’s funds, MPTC will cover a portion of the annual cost of purchasing supplies – including mittens, hats, headphones, and clothes – that children and teens will be able to use.

Results, time, money and resources spent or saved:
Since its inception, Sappi has been able to provide direct funding to over 67 causes for local nonprofit organizations that employees are most passionate about and since 2018 Sappi has seen a 118% increase in applications for Employee Ideas that Matter.
Submissions are open to all employees, both as a single applicant or a team application for the same cause. Sappi employees are encouraged to submit projects that are related to making a difference for the people in their community through education, the environment, health and wellness or helping others. Grant awards, on average, range from $1,000 to $2,500, though the amount of funding depends on what the needs are for a given project and can be allotted up to $5,000.
Employee Ideas that Matter proposals are evaluated by a panel of judges composed of senior leadership in each mill location and Sappi North America Headquarters.
The selection committees used a set of criteria that consisted of the category of the non-profit, the ability to safely engage Sappi employees and the anticipated impact of the project.