Corporate do-gooderism is at a low point in the U.S. these days. Yet some companies are still changing the world through their businesses.
The 11th edition of Fortune’s annual Change the World list is out this morning, highlighting 50 companies who are doing well by doing good (aka effecting positive change through their businesses, rather than just philanthropy on the side). They’re chosen based on their social impact, business results, and degree of innovation.
On this year’s list:
Yum China, led by CEO Joey Wat: The operator behind China’s 17,000 KFC and Pizza Hut locations operates a food bank program that distributes surplus food to those in need. Over 1,000 stations in more than 180 cities have saved more than 1,600 tons of food, enough to feed 4,000 people for a year, since the program’s launch in 2020. A new charity law in China encourages more charitable activities to be community-based, and Yum China’s success can now be a template for other restaurant operators.
The National Women’s Soccer League, led by commissioner Jessica Berman: The league’s 2024 CBA introduced increased minimum salary guarantees and expanded paid parental and mental health benefits for players. In 2024, total NWSL regular season attendance topped 2 million fans, a 44% increase from the previous season.
Banco Santander, led by executive chair Ana Botín: The global banking giant has been investing in workforce upskilling for nearly 30 years, investing 2.4 billion euros in job training and broader higher education. Among its most effective tools: Santander Open Academy, which offers free courses and scholarships for about 1,000 programs every year, in partnership with universities in 14 countries.
Guild, led by CEO Bijal Shah: Guild partners with employers to provide those job training and upskilling, at no cost to the students. In 2024, about 1.4 million employees were eligible for Guild training programs, and 60,000 completed or graduated from them, saving more than $1 billion in tuition costs. Guild says its learners are 3.5 times as likely to rise in the ranks at their companies, and only half as likely to leave.
Explore the full list here.
Emma Hinchliffe
emma.hinchliffe@fortune.com
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