Avangrid’s Volunteer Surge: A New Blueprint for Corporate Impact

ORANGE, Conn. – March 04, 2026 – By Timothy Bell

In a striking display of corporate citizenship, employees at the leading U.S. energy company Avangrid dedicated over 42,000 volunteer hours in 2025, decisively surpassing an ambitious goal of 35,000 hours. The achievement marks a tenfold increase in volunteer engagement since the company began formally tracking these efforts in 2021, signaling a significant deepening of its community-focused culture and providing a new model for corporate social responsibility in the energy sector.

“Watching our employees devote more than 42,000 volunteer hours demonstrates just how deeply service is woven into Avangrid’s culture,” said Avangrid CEO Jose Antonio Miranda. “Their generosity and commitment make a real difference in the communities we serve and offer a meaningful reminder of the values that guide our company every day.”

Charting Exponential Growth

The dramatic rise in volunteerism at Avangrid is not an overnight success but the result of a sustained, strategic focus. The numbers trace a steep upward trajectory, growing from 10,464 hours in 2022 to over 23,000 in 2023, and now rocketing to more than 42,000. This exponential growth underscores a powerful shift in employee engagement, catalyzed by a corporate framework designed to encourage and amplify individual contributions.

The cornerstone of this success is the company’s “Energized for Good” program, a multifaceted initiative launched in 2021. The program was designed to systematically elevate employee volunteering from a peripheral activity to a core component of the company's identity. By creating accessible opportunities and tangible incentives, Avangrid has successfully mobilized its workforce of approximately 8,000 employees to create a widespread, positive impact across 26 states.

The 'Energized for Good' Engine

At the heart of Avangrid's volunteer surge is the well-defined mechanics of its “Energized for Good” program. The initiative operates on a simple yet powerful premise: empowering employees and multiplying their efforts. For every hour an employee volunteers with a qualifying nonprofit, the Avangrid Foundation donates $15 to that organization, capped at 100 hours, or $1,500, per employee annually. This structure directly translates time into financial support, turning personal passion into direct funding for community partners.

“Our employees continue to show what it means to lead with purpose, and every hour they volunteer helps empower organizations doing essential work in our communities,” said Pablo Colón, Director of Corporate Citizenship and Executive Director of the Avangrid Foundation. “Through our Energized for Good program, we’re proud to amplify our employees’ generosity and turn their commitment into even more support for hundreds of partners across the country.”

This amplification is not limited to volunteer time. The program also matches employee financial donations at a rate of 50 cents on the dollar, up to $1,500 in matching funds per employee. In 2025 alone, the 42,000 volunteer hours generated over $410,000 in these direct volunteer rewards. When combined with employee donations and the foundation's matching gifts, the total contribution driven by employee engagement surpassed $830,000, providing a crucial infusion of resources for 431 organizations nationwide.

Beyond the Balance Sheet: Tangible Community Impact

The impact of Avangrid's volunteer hours extends far beyond financial figures, translating into tangible benefits for communities across the country. In 2025, employee efforts led to the donation of 317 pints of blood, the planting of 73,185 trees to bolster local ecosystems, and the collection of over 10,000 food items to stock pantries and feed families.

Children and students were a major focus, with employees assembling and donating 1,320 backpacks filled with school supplies, 1,507 holiday toys, and 300 Easter baskets for hospitalized children. The company’s national partnership with Habitat for Humanity saw employees contribute hands-on labor to 11 home builds, helping to construct safe and affordable housing.

Local partners have felt the effect directly. “The Cardinal Shehan Center is incredibly grateful to the Avangrid employees who volunteered their time to assist the Center with numerous beautification projects, maintenance work, and hands on activities with our After School program participants,” said Lorraine Gibbons, Executive Director of the Bridgeport, Connecticut-based center. “The impact of their volunteer efforts on the Cardinal Shehan Center was tremendous, and it is so encouraging to see the emphasis that Avangrid places on giving back to their community.”

This sentiment was echoed by partners like the American Red Cross. “Blood donations play a vital role in helping patients during their most urgent moments, and when organizations come together with a shared commitment to service, the impact reaches far beyond what any one of us could accomplish alone,” stated Richard Branigan, CEO of the American Red Cross of Connecticut, highlighting the power of the ongoing partnership.

A Strategic Pillar in an Ethical Framework

For Avangrid, a member of the Iberdrola Group, this extensive volunteer program is more than philanthropy; it is a strategic component of its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework. The company’s consistent recognition by the Ethisphere Institute as one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” for seven consecutive years, including 2025, is reinforced by this demonstrated commitment to community well-being.

Similarly, its ranking by JUST Capital as one of America’s Most JUST Companies—placing first among utilities for its treatment of communities—is directly supported by the thousands of hours employees spend on the ground. These accolades are not incidental; they are the outcome of a corporate strategy that embeds ethical and social considerations into its operations. Internally, such programs are known to significantly boost employee morale, engagement, and retention, creating a workforce that is more connected to the company’s values and mission.

By building a robust infrastructure for service, Avangrid has created a virtuous cycle where community support strengthens its brand reputation, enhances employee satisfaction, and validates its position as a leader in corporate ethics. This integrated approach demonstrates how corporate purpose, when genuinely activated, can generate powerful returns for society, employees, and the business itself.