b'C O R P O R A T E S O C I A L R E S P O N S I B I L I T YAmidst Pandemic, SCOAFoundation PrioritizesPhilanthropy in 2020I n 2005, the executive leadership of Sumitomo Corporationof Americas established the SCOA Foundation in order tomaintaina stable source of funding for Sumitomo Corporation of Americas philanthropic contributions. The Foundation began with an initial 10 million dollar seed endowment that came out of the companys expanding real estate asset portfolio.The Foundation has financed a broad range of activitiesAbove, Tim Sander, Executive Vice President and Chiefand institutions in the United States since its establishmentAdministrative Officer of Sumitomo Corporation of Americas,16 years ago. With a primary emphasis on funding research,addressed an audience of students and faculty from ColumbiaBusiness School at Columbia Universitys Uris Hall. The lectureseducational initiatives, and cultural programs, the Foundationtopic, Servant Leadership, Sander tied to the Sumitomocontributes to an enhanced American understanding of Japan,mindset of service Jiri Rita Koushi Ichinyo or benefit for selfits people, culture, and society. Through funding, this philan- and others, public and private interests are one and the same.thropic arm provides assistance, relief, and educational out-reach to those in need, with an eye on the overall well-beingThe Sumitomo Fellowship Program at the Center onand welfare of our community. Japanese Economy and Business at Columbia Business The SCOA Foundation supports the funding of several edu- School offers doctoral fellowships and research grants tocational initiatives, though one of the most notable is that atColumbia University students who are pursuing their Columbia University. The Foundation has played an integralresearch on the Japanese economy and its business systems. role supporting The Columbia Business School Center onAmong these students are PhD students in doctoral programs, Japanese Economy and Business (CJEB), serving as the cen- graduate students pursuing MBAs and other graduate degrees, ters leading donor since its inception in 1986. As an indepen- as well as undergraduate students on occasion.dent research center, CJEB leads the U.S. in understandingThis years addition of COVID-19 specific charitable contri-Japans place in the world economy; their Japan-focused Re- butions included donations to the Greater New York Hospital search Paper Series, year-round symposiums and conferencesFoundation, Inc.While fund administrators designate specific serve this purpose, as do expert scholars, government officials,recipients each year, the fund also provides employees with a and Japanese business executives participating in seminars andway to give back to the causes closest to their hearts. Through lectures.the recently-introduced Employee Request for Donation One example was Tim Sander, Executive Vice President andProgram, employees can submit a grant application to an ini-Chief Administrative Officer of Sumitomo Corporation oftiative promoting health and social welfare, usually involving a Americas, who addressed an audience of students and facultypersonal connection to the cause. In addition to a donation to from Columbia Business School early in 2020 under pre- the National Multiple Sclerosis Society by employee request COVID conditions. Professor Hugh Patrick, CJEB Chair- in 2020, the Foundation sought to aid the COVID-19 relief man, moderated the event, in which Sander spoke abouteffort as well by matching employee contributions to Amer-SCOAs foundational values and reflected on his 25-yearican Red Cross, the Center for Disease Control Foundation, career at the company. Anchored in the philosophy of ser- and the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund. In addition, the vant leadership, Sander tied this principal to the SumitomoSCOA Foundation contributed to a new charity, Internation-mindset of service Jiri Rita Koushi Ichinyo or benefit foral Poetry Exchange Program, which introduces poets from self and others, public and private interests are one and theNew York Citys Bronx borough to Japanese poetry in Tokyo.same.In its dedication to sustaining cultural affairs, the SCOA Foun-I believe this topic [servant leadership] is particularly relevantdation continues to contribute to the annual Japan Day @ for all of us, including Columbia students who are prepar- Central Park in New York, a daylong event officially supported ing to assume influential positions in business, education, orby the Consulate General of Japan in New York, the Mayors government, whether at for-profit companies, non-profitOffice, The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, institutions, universities or other organizations, Sander stated. and numerous other American and Japanese companies topromote a deeper understanding of Japanese culture. 14 visions Spring 2021'