SumOfUs

SumOfUs
Name	SumOfUs
Formation	2011
Founder	Taren Stinebrickner-Kauffman
Type	Non-profit organization
Purpose	Corporate accountability and social justice
Location	Global
Region served	Worldwide

SumOfUs is a global non-profit organization that campaigns for corporate accountability and social justice, often working with other organizations such as Greenpeace, Amnesty International, and the Sierra Club. Founded in 2011 by Taren Stinebrickner-Kauffman, a former Avaaz staffer, SumOfUs has become a prominent voice in the global movement for corporate reform, alongside organizations like Oxfam, Friends of the Earth, and the World Wildlife Fund. SumOfUs has been compared to other online activist groups like MoveOn.org and Change.org, and has collaborated with 350.org and the Rainforest Action Network on various campaigns. The organization's work has been covered by major media outlets, including The New York Times, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera.

Introduction

SumOfUs is a member-driven organization that uses online petitions, social media, and grassroots mobilization to pressure corporations to adopt more sustainable and equitable practices, often in partnership with organizations like the International Labor Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme. The organization's campaigns have targeted major corporations like ExxonMobil, Walmart, and McDonald's, as well as financial institutions like Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase. SumOfUs has also worked with other non-profits, such as the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Environmental Defense Fund, to promote environmental protection and social justice. The organization's efforts have been supported by prominent figures like Naomi Klein, Bill McKibben, and Annie Leonard, and have been recognized by awards like the Nobel Peace Prize and the Right Livelihood Award.

History

SumOfUs was founded in 2011 by Taren Stinebrickner-Kauffman, a former staffer at Avaaz, a global online activist network that has worked with organizations like Human Rights Watch and the International Rescue Committee. Stinebrickner-Kauffman was inspired by the success of Avaaz and wanted to create an organization that would focus specifically on corporate accountability and social justice, building on the work of organizations like the Corporate Accountability International and the Institute for Policy Studies. SumOfUs launched its first campaign in 2011, targeting Apple and Foxconn over labor practices in China, and has since worked with organizations like the International Labor Organization and the World Health Organization to promote workers' rights and public health. The organization has also collaborated with Wikileaks and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists to expose corporate wrongdoing and promote transparency.

Campaigns

SumOfUs has launched numerous campaigns over the years, targeting a range of issues including climate change, labor rights, and corporate tax avoidance, often in partnership with organizations like the Climate Action Network, the International Trade Union Confederation, and the Tax Justice Network. The organization has campaigned against major corporations like Chevron, Shell, and BP, as well as financial institutions like HSBC and Barclays. SumOfUs has also worked with other non-profits, such as the World Wildlife Fund and the Ocean Conservancy, to promote environmental protection and conservation, and has collaborated with Greenpeace and the Sierra Club to oppose fossil fuel extraction and promote renewable energy. The organization's campaigns have been supported by prominent figures like Desmond Tutu, Angela Davis, and Noam Chomsky, and have been recognized by awards like the Gandhi Peace Award and the Sean MacBride Peace Prize.

Organization

SumOfUs is a global organization with a presence in over 100 countries, and has worked with organizations like the United Nations, the European Union, and the African Union to promote corporate accountability and social justice. The organization is led by a team of experienced activists and campaigners, including Paul Hilder, a former Greenpeace staffer, and Hannah Lownsbrough, a former Oxfam staffer. SumOfUs has a strong online presence, with over 15 million members worldwide, and has collaborated with Facebook, Twitter, and Google to promote its campaigns and reach a wider audience. The organization has also worked with Reddit, Tumblr, and Pinterest to engage with online communities and promote social justice.

Impact

SumOfUs has had a significant impact on corporate practices and policies, with many major corporations responding to the organization's campaigns and agreeing to make changes, often in partnership with organizations like the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the Global Reporting Initiative. The organization's campaigns have helped to expose corporate wrongdoing and promote transparency, and have contributed to a growing global movement for corporate reform, alongside organizations like the Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights and the Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative. SumOfUs has also worked with governments and international institutions, such as the European Commission and the International Labor Organization, to promote stronger regulations and laws governing corporate behavior, and has collaborated with The New York Times, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera to promote investigative journalism and hold corporations accountable.

Criticisms

SumOfUs has faced criticism from some corporations and industry groups, which have accused the organization of being overly aggressive and confrontational, and have questioned the effectiveness of its campaigns, often citing the work of organizations like the Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers. However, SumOfUs has also received praise from many activists and organizations, who see the organization as a vital force for corporate accountability and social justice, and have recognized its contributions to the global movement for human rights and environmental protection, alongside organizations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the World Wildlife Fund. The organization's work has been supported by prominent figures like Pope Francis, Malala Yousafzai, and Jane Goodall, and has been recognized by awards like the Nobel Peace Prize and the Right Livelihood Award.

Category:Non-profit organizations