ASHFORTH S 2016 ANNUAL Corporate Social Responsibility Report

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1 For 121 years, The Ashforth Company has been aligned with our guiding principles of commitment, quality, people, and practices. We are dedicated to not only meeting the needs of our clients and partners, we are highly committed to ensuring we act with the utmost corporate responsibility. All are firmly embedded at the core of our daily operations. Our sustainability, volunteerism and philanthropy efforts are built on our foundation of sound business practices and ethics. In 2016, we saw measurable progress and a continued commitment to these efforts as evidenced and highlighted in our report that appears on the following pages. We d like to thank our employees, clients, vendors, and business partners for all that they are doing to help build better communities. Darrell Harvey Co-CEO Andy Ashforth Co-CEO

2 Sustainability The goal of our E-Initiative is to provide operational excellence by improving the use of our resources, both human and natural, to positively impact our environment. Ashforth has a long legacy of conservation, reducing energy and water usage, incorporating green products and improving air quality throughout our real estate portfolio. We work with our tenants, vendors, and owners to do the same. Mural at 3001 Stamford Square by Conor Heelan The Ashforth Company 2

3 Conservation Ashforth was awarded the Stamford 2030 District s Leadership in Sustainability Gold Level Award for the installation of a new-tomarket bipolar ionization system to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) at Greenwich Plaza. 707 Summer Street increased its ENERGY STAR score six points this year to reach Stamford Square increased three points this year. Greenwich Plaza has unusually high energy consumption due to several active trading floors with high energy use Sustainability Report 2016 ENERGY STAR Scores ENERGY STAR-Rated (75+) 35 8 Greenwich Plaza Stamford Square Summer Street National Average (50) 2008 Baseline Scores Liberty Centre Energy Usage Water Usage million kwh million gallons Baseline Baseline Stamford Square installed more efficient boilers and make-up air units and now has finalized its HVAC modernization program. Created writable PDF versions of all Human Resources forms, reducing the need to print. Energy usage at Ashforth-owned buildings had a seven-year average annual decrease of 4.3% from baseline and has decreased on average 2% each year over the past nine years. * Office buildings in general have been experiencing an increase in density (employees/sf). Most buildings were originally designed for a density of 1 employee/275 SF. One of Ashforth s buildings currently has a density of 1 employee/204 SF and some individual tenants are as low as 1 employee/140 SF. Higher density requires more watts/sf. Ashforth has been tracking its energy usage and water consumption since The 2016 report data reflects four owned buildings totaling nearly 1,000,000 SF. Water consumption across the Ashforth-owned portfolio had a seven-year average annual decrease of 4% from baseline and has only increased on average 0.6% each year over the past nine years. The last three years of slight increases in usage are a result of significant increases in density*. Ashforth s ongoing sustainable improvements have enabled us to keep increases to a minimum. 3

4 Recycling In Ashforth s second year analyzing our three owned CT buildings, we recycled 167 tons of cardboard, office paper, bottles, cans and plastic, while sending 336 tons of garbage to landfill 33.2% of total waste diverted, an increase of 1.67% over % 2015 Education Waste Diversion 33.2% 2016 A higher number is better. Ashforth has been tracking its waste diversion and e-waste recycling since Invited WegoWise to speak to our property managers about achieving a more sustainable portfolio. During our Environmental Awareness Week, Ashforth recycled approximately 1,400 lbs of e-waste at our owned and managed CT properties. In addition, 48 gently used articles of clothing were donated to Person-to-Person, 107 used books were donated to Ferguson Library, and 72 pairs of sneakers were donated to Nike s Reuse-a-Shoe program. Purchasing 2016 Sustainability Report tons 0 e-waste Recycling 2.74 tons tons 2016 Recycled 1.64 tons of e-waste fluorescent lamps, electronics, and batteries at our three owned CT buildings. Annual fluctuation is typical and related to volume of capital projects and tenants improvements. Expanded the Farm Shares at Work program to Greenwich Plaza and increased its overall participation at 707 Summer Street and 3001 Stamford Square. 61 participants received weekly shares of handpacked boxes full of fresh farm products during the summer and fall seasons. Created IT requirement to only purchase computers, monitors, and printers that are ENERGY STAR-rated. Consolidated deliveries of office supplies when possible in order to reduce our carbon footprint. 4

5 Conservation Purchasing 2017 Sustainability Goals Reduce electric usage at Ashforthowned buildings by 5%. Raise the ENERGY STAR ratings at Ashforth-owned buildings by 5%. Set all office printers to default to double-sided printing. Reduce water consumption at Ashforth-owned buildings by 5%. Upgrade current LED fixtures in 3001 Stamford Square s parking garage to the most state-of-the-art LEDs. This is the first time Eversource will be involved with a second-round LED retrofit project in the state of CT. Recycling Increase percentage of waste diverted from landfill at Ashforthowned buildings in CT by 5%. Switch to organic, fair trade, and/or sustainablysourced coffees and teas at the company and cafes at Ashforth-owned buildings. Increase the amount of Made in the USA or locally-sourced office supplies for our company by 10%. Consolidate paper ordering across all company divisions to reduce deliveries, cost, and maintain environmental standards. Expand Ashforth s owned portfolio-wide Farm Shares at Work program to include an online, year-round, mostly organic produce delivery service. Communication Expand Ashforth s sustainability awareness program with more frequent communications regarding water conservation, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and recycling across the company and all owned and managed properties. Increase year-round e-cycling by tenants in Ashforth-owned buildings in CT by 5%. Improve e-cycling participation by employees of tenants during Ashforth s annual Environmental Awareness Week. Create a tenant recycling lease standard for all Ashforth-owned buildings. Wellness Identify and implement new company wellness initiatives that encourage our employees to lead healthy lifestyles. Add wellness accomplishments and goals to Ashforth s annual reporting. 5

6 Philanthropy Ashforth focuses its philanthropic efforts on education and healthcare, along with a priority to encourage and facilitate employee volunteerism. Our goal is to build stronger communities. Collectively, our financial contributions, our inkind contributions and employee volunteer hours have helped to advance many worthy community nonprofits where we live and work. The Ashforth Company 6

7 Key Community Partnerships Stamford Hospital & Bennett Cancer Center Ashforth is the founding & presenting sponsor of the Stamford Hospital s Bennett Cancer Center Hope in Motion Walk & Run event, Connecticut s longest running and largest participatory charitable event. It has raised nearly $14 million over 21 years. Since 1996, Ashforth s total contribution, including our annual corporate donation, in-kind marketing, and team donation, has exceeded $1.1 million. Ashforth s Co-CEO has served as chairman of the hospital and is co-chairman of the Stamford Hospital Foundation Board. Our VP, Marketing & Communications has been on the event s executive committee the past 21 years. Ashforth s team of 31 participants walked and raised $14,040 in 2016 and over the past 21 years raised $250,000. Donated marketing services in Total value of these services over the past 21 years is $365,000. Future 5 Since 2010, Ashforth s total contribution, which includes financial and in-kind marketing support, has exceeded $180,000. Ashforth provides an in-kind program to help Future 5 students further their job training skills and goals which includes site visits, job shadowing, and internships. In 2016, in addition to financial support, Ashforth provided in-kind marketing and graphic design services valued at $20,000. Donated office space. Ashforth s Co-CEO and VP, Marketing & Communications are members of the board. Founded in 2009, Future 5 has served 500+ students and overall has a 98% high school graduation rate. 7

8 Key Community Partnerships March of Dimes The Ashforth Company was the first honoree of the March of Dimes Fairfield County Real Estate Award Breakfast event in 1996 and has been a sponsor ever since. The event raised $438,000 in 2016 and since 1996 has raised $6.7 million. Our in-kind marketing services over the past 21 years are valued at $150,000. Ashforth s VP, Marketing & Communications has been on the event committee for the past 21 years. Boys & Girls Club of Stamford Ashforth has been a supporter of the Boys & Girls Club for over 22 years and our Executive Assistant to Ashforth s Co-CEO has been a member of the board the majority of these years. Ashforth is a significant sponsor of the Club s City Chic event. The event raised $418,000 in 2016 and since 1991 has raised over $3.2 million. In addition to financial support, in 2016 Ashforth provided marketing services for the event valued at $7,500. Total value of these services over the past five years is nearly $40,000. Ashforth also annually supports the Boys & Girls Club s golf event, which raised $114,000 in

9 Ashforth Employees Volunteer Support and Additional In-Kind Contributions Ashforth encourages volunteerism to nearly 10,000 employees in 400 companies at our owned and managed buildings by organizing numerous events to benefit local nonprofits. Ashforth employees regularly participate in these events. 3,000+ hours of volunteer time by executive-level employees chairing or participating on nonprofit committees. 49 pairs of pajamas and 92 books were donated to Kids in Crisis. 9 employees volunteered to fly the Bob the Builder balloon for the Stamford Downtown Special Services District s annual Thanksgiving Parade Spectacular. 12 employees donated several new school outfits, sneakers, fall and winter jackets, and backpacks filled with school supplies to two children, who attend Hart Magnet Elementary School in Stamford. 2 employees participated in an Earth Day spring cleanup project at Stamford s Mill River Park & Greenway. 3 employees helped raise funds for Literacy Volunteers at Family Centers by participating in their annual Scrabble Challenge. The event raised $55,000. 9

10 Ashforth Employees Volunteer Support and Additional In-Kind Contributions Pre-construction and construction management advisory services donated for Ferguson Library s historic preservation project. Use of Greenwich Plaza train station space donated to Focus on French Cinema presented by Alliance Française of Greenwich. Use of parking space at Greenwich Plaza and two Ashforth shuttles plus driver expense donated to Greenwich Wine+Food Festival presented by Serendipity which supports Paul Newman s The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. Donated use of Ashforth shuttle plus driver expense to Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens for two events. Donated cost of transportation for the pre-schoolers of Children s Learning Centers of Fairfield County to the Seasonal Singing Celebration at 3001 Stamford Square. Donated use of parking space at Greenwich Plaza for the annual Greenwich Town Party. Sporting event tickets donated to various nonprofits. 10

11 Ashforth and its Divisions were Proud to Support Nonprofits in 2016 Ability and Beyond Achievement First American Cancer Society Audubon Connecticut The Bennett Cancer Center BOMA Southern CT & BOMA Westchester Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield Boys & Girls Club of Stamford Bruce Museum The Business Council of Fairfield County Children s Learning Centers of Fairfield County Family Centers The Freshwater Trust Future 5 Greenwich Arts Council/Curiosity Concerts Greenwich Historical Society Greenwich Library Literacy Volunteers at Family Centers Lloyd EcoDistrict Lloyd Enhanced Services District March of Dimes NAIOP Oncology Nursing Society One Company Fund Real Estate Finance Association (REFA) Regional Plan Association Stamford 2030 District Stamford Downtown Special Services District Stamford Hospital Stamford Health Foundation Teach For America Tourette Association of America The Volunteer Center of United Way of Western Connecticut White Plains Hospital *Partial listing 11