In April 2019, Mike Newhall, vice president of business and community development, discussed the importance of corporate philanthropy at Sentinel Benefits & Financial Group. A key element of Conscious Capitalism is how community needs mesh with employee engagement and how the company fits, and supports, its local environment.

Giving is a priority at Sentinel, via a program called “Sentinel Cares” which was created to "engage one another to do good things for others...everyday.” he says. "Our community involvement is at the center of our culture and values. We have a vision for our company to be difference makers for those we serve, and it is a passion shared by everyone at Sentinel."

As a fundraiser, Sentinel sponsored a partnership with Boston Children's Hospital and its annual Corporate Cup event for companies. Sentinel hosted a Pi(e)-in-the-face-Day. Nationwide, March 15^th is Pi Day (3/15) and children’s hospitals plan pie-themed events.

Employees engaged in a friendly competition, donating money to sponsor a company partner to be walloped by a whipped cream pie. The result: a fun-filled experience with Robert DiMase receiving a pie in the face – all for a worthy cause. Smiles were just one winning outcome, while doing good with a spirited video that lives on to build camaraderie.

Another example of ‘if it matters to our people, it matters to Sentinel’ is a grant program that helps a range of charities and causes. Employees at all levels have access to funds donated to a company-wide pool. Any employee meaningfully involved with a charity through board membership or regular volunteer efforts, can apply for a grant of $1,000 for that organization. In 2019, five grants resulted in $5,000 of added contributions.

Giving every employee the support to make a difference in his or her backyard sets Sentinel apart – making charitable donations with a personal touch about where, and how, to have lasting impact.