Celebrate the Faces of Change at BGI

Business for Democracy and ASBC Lead Effort to Overturn Citizens United v. FEC

The Business for Democracy Campaign, which the American Sustainable Business Council is spearheading in partnership with Free Speech for People is tackling the compelling issue of corporate contributions to political campaigns.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC decision on January 21, 2010 allows corporations to spend unlimited funds to support or oppose candidates for political office, overturning campaign finance laws in place for decades. The Business for Democracy campaign is an initiative of business leaders and their companies who believe this ruling is in direct conflict with American democratic principles and a serious threat to good government. The campaign supports the four members of the Supreme Court and the 80 percent of Americans who disagree with the decision (Washington Post poll, Feb. 17, 2010).

If you'd like your business to join this effort, you can sign the statement of support here or here.

Celebrate the Faces of Change at BGI

Dear Hazel,

On June 6th, BGI launched 98 new MBAs and Certificate graduates into the world, to start new ventures and lead existing ones toward a more socially just and environmentally sustainable world.

At graduation, the renowned Native American activist and politician Winona LaDuke joined Justin Tillson, BGI’s MBA valedictorian, and JP Cardona, BGI’s Certificate program valedictorian, in addressing a packed GreenFest audience. Winona ‘s leadership is transforming our shared vision into a new reality of economic stablility, social justice and environmental sustainability. JP, Justin and Winona made inspiring remarks on BGI’s importance in a rapidly changing world, reaching out to a great range of people needing business skills to build a sustainable future.

To celebrate another dynamic cohort of world-changing business people and build on our success, please join us by making an investment of $250, here.

This school year has been an exciting time of rapid growth, fundamental achievement and well-deserved recognition. I look forward to sharing stories of our students, faculty and staff over the next few weeks. Just a few of our milestones this year:

BGI achieved Accreditation in the summer of 2009. This major milestone opens up corporate tuition reimbursement, giving us a new market of potential students.
Fast Company just named BGI in the Top Five Green MBA programs, along with Yale, Stanford , Michigan and Presidio.
BGI qualified to administer Federal Financial Aid in April and has disbursed over $1 million in federal loans for this school year.
BGI opened an Evening MBA program for those who prefer evenings to weekends, reaching more students and building diversity in our programs.
We have restructured and lowered our fundraising need from 30% to 10%, making us much more efficient than most graduate schools.
We are also pleased to report that the AACSB has begun recommending sustainability in business education to all their accredited schools. You may know that BGI has encouraged the startup of sustainability programs and courses across the country. We deeply appreciate your support in transforming business education broadly.

Last year BGI had more applicants than ever before, and demand for our unique brand of business education continues to grow. Our graduates are leading sustainability efforts in Fortune 100 companies and starting new ventures that are shifting whole markets. Our 98 new grads have just joined them in building a better world.

BGI is making a big difference! Please join us in taking this incredible engine of change to the next level by making an investment today. New initiatives include Curriculum 2.0, incorporating the social web to create greater and faster social change, plus a new model of distance learning and exploring relationships with Asian universities. Your tax-deductible gift or pledge can be billed monthly and spread out over as long as you’d like.

We thank you for all you have done to make BGI what it is today. The world thanks you for helping BGI to transform business into a powerful force for social justice and environmental sanity.

Warm regards,

Gifford Pinchot III, President

P.S. Join me in changing business for good by investing in BGI by June 30th. Click here to make a contribution to Diversity scholarships or an unrestricted gift to the school. Please feel free to contact me or our Development staff at development@bgi.edu or (206) 855-9559 if you have any questions or concerns. We’d like to help.