MAKING AN IMPACT

ASBN is committed to working with and alongside our network to develop and elevate the policy solutions needed for inclusive and long-lasting systems change -- thank you all for your part in advancing our mission.

New Report: ASBN recently released a new report, The Case for Responsible Business and Investing Practices: Why Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Factors Are Good For Business, which highlights the crucial role of ESG considerations in positioning businesses to navigate challenges and opportunities arising from climate risks and evolving business landscapes. This is essential for long-term financial success; yet, the freedom to consider ESG risks and impacts is under attack, fueled by interests that have nothing to do with protecting Main Street businesses. These attacks must be met with resistance, which is why we are helping policymakers protect the freedom to operate responsibly. Please reach out to our VP of Policy and Government Affairs, Mia Woodard, with any questions.

Grove Co. launches Beautifully Sustainable Aluminum Packaging for their bottles. Read the story HERE.

King Arthur Baking Company was recognized in Fast Company’s 2024 list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies as #5! Read the story HERE.

Please welcome our newest ASBN members:

April 9: ASBN Live: Federal Funding for Zero Waste Infrastructure. Join us to discover how you can harness the power of federal resources to advance sustainable materials management practices with your organization. April 9, 2pm ET (Register HERE).

May 15: ASBN Live: Aligning Justice and Sustainability Goals with Your Company Retirement Plan. Learn how to align your investments with your principles, maintain or improve returns, and vote for positive change. May 15, 12pm ET (Register HERE).

SAVE THE DATES:

  • May 8: ASBN Webinar “Transformative Strategies for Moving Capital to Communities of Color”. Details TBA.

  • May 15: ASBN Webinar “Faithful Finance: Advancing Community Impact through Faith-Based Investing in CDFIs”. Details TBA.

ASBN’s Working Groups and Task Forces provide members with an opportunity to shape and engage in policy work that is organized around major issue areas and specific campaigns.


To learn more about working groups and other benefits of ASBN membership, contact Shanti Holloway, ASBN Director of Membership Success

Working Group: Regenerative Agriculture and Justice

Working in cooperation with farmers and other agricultural stakeholders, we advocate for sustainable agriculture, environmental justice, and support for underserved and BIPOC farmers.

Next meeting: April 11 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

What you missed at the last meeting:

  • We endorsed the Fair Credit for Farmers Act in our letter to congressional leadership in December. Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI), the National Family Farm Coalition, and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition are leading this effort. Read the bill summary and check out RAFI’s blog post to read some stories from farmers that inspired this bill. Review the full bill at Congress.gov. 

Appalachian Sustainable Business Network

The Appalachian Sustainable Business Network and Pennsylvanian Sustainable Business Networks are dedicated to fostering sustainable innovation, economic resilience, and community wellbeing throughout the Appalachian region. Click here for more information.

Next meeting is April 11 at 3:00 p.m. ET. Contact Lou Tierno to join the meetings & click here for more information on the network.

What you missed at the last meeting:

  • We discussed the need to understand and implement infrastructure improvements to support economic transition and domestic clean energy manufacturing

  • We recognized the importance of understanding the relationships among regional institutions (such as businesses, universities, municipal authorities, and think tanks) to strengthen connections and build a more resilient and cohesive Appalachia.

  • We identified the need to map what products and resources can be developed in the region, what products and resources are needed in the region, and what organizations need to be stood up to fill those gaps.

Working Group: Safer Chemicals

Promotes policies for more robust chemical safety in workplaces, homes, communities, and the natural environment.

Next meeting: April 12th at 12:00 p.m. ET (second Friday of each month)
Contact David Levine to get involved.

Working Group: Circular Economy

Emphasizes recycling, re-use, sharing, repair, and remanufacturing, and the reduction of waste, pollution, and carbon emissions throughout the economy.

Next meeting: April 17th at 3:00 p.m. ET

Contact David Levine to get involved.

Working Group: Climate and Energy
Identifies key problems, solutions, and strategies to address the climate and energy crisis facing our planet.

Next meeting: April 25th at 1:00 p.m. ET

Contact Abby Maxwell to get involved.

What you missed at the last meeting: 

  • We discussed a recap of the upcoming FTC Green Guides updated guidelines. 

  • ASBN submitted comments to the FTC in 2023 on their proposed updates to the Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims ("Green Guides"), which is a process that occurs every 10 years. 

  • We reviewed the proposed modifications ASBN submitted, as well as welcomed a guest speaker from Softly Solutions to provide additional expertise about the Green Guides and international green marketing claims regulations. View the slides here. 

Working Group: Democracy

Believes that a strong democracy is essential for a vibrant entrepreneurial economy.

Next meeting: May 1 at  3:00 p.m. ET (REGISTER)

What you missed at the March meeting: 

  • Jay Heck, Executive Director of Common Cause in Wisconsin joined us to give good suggestions on how other states can create independent redistricting commissions. You can watch the full meeting here: https://youtu.be/0rxBQ5UREG8 

  • Business for Democracy Collaboratives have been established in eight states to raise the voice of small businesses to protect democracy; we are working to establish a chapter in the Maryland/DC area. If you live in that region, please contact Frank Knapp to get involved.

Living Planet Working Group

Dedicated to the shared mission of protecting and renewing life on planet Earth. LPWG is a place for learning, collaborating, and amplifying the good work happening in the world; meets the first Thursday of each month, 1:00-2:15 p.m. ET. Visit our website HERE.

Next meeting: May 2 at 1:00 p.m. ET (Register).

Restorative Investing Taskforce

The goal of the Taskforce is to move money to reduce the racial wealth gap, bring together leaders to collaborate and reinforce each other’s work, and to share thought leadership and best practices to restoratively invest in BIPOC entrepreneurs and communities.

With support from the Serena Foundation, the Task Force is convening BIPOC fund managers to join forces for restorative investing. The final convening will take place at the WE WIN Together Week in St. Louis from April 22-25, and will include an invite-only session for BIPOC fund managers, as well as an open panel which all ASBN partners are welcome to attend. Register HERE.

Seeking Impactful Ventures - Apply to Present


Since 1987, Investors Circle (IC) has invested nearly $300 million into more than 350 early-stage businesses working to solve major social and environmental problems. IC welcomes seed-stage startups focused on making social and/or environmental impact. Apply here to present to our group of impact investors.


Investors Circle’s next meeting is April 18 from 12:00-2:00 pm ET. If you are an investor and would like to join a meeting, please contact Annarie Lyles to be included.

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If so, please contact [email protected] so we can move your email address to receive our new members-only newsletter.