BOSTON (News release) -- Sappi North America Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper, packaging products and pulp, announced today that has won a SEAL Business Sustainability Award for its Ideas that Matter grant program which honors Sappi's leadership, innovation and commitment to sustainable business practices.

For over two decades, Ideas that Matter grants have provided funding and resources for designers working with nonprofits to make social and environmental impact, to encourage reforms in justice, education and health care and to address diversity, equity and inclusion efforts across communities and around the world. Sappi has made global contributions totaling nearly $14 million through the work of more than 500 projects toward addressing these causes.

Sappi joins 2022 SEAL Sustainability Award honorees that range from global brands, such as Disneyland, General Electric, GM, Microsoft, Oracle, Proctor & Gamble and Samsung, to high-growth start-ups and scale-ups, such as AiDash, Flock Freight, Optoro, and PATH.

"We are so proud that Ideas that Matter received this prestigious recognition from the SEAL Awards," said Patti Groh, Director of Marketing and Communications at Sappi North America. "The program has shown firsthand the power that design has to make our communities stronger and our lives better by addressing timely social issues. It is always inspiring to see the long-term impact of the projects we fund, and we are excited to continue this important work."

"Companies have a unique opportunity and responsibility to drive environmental progress where politics cannot. Our corporate sustainability awards celebrate organizations that embrace the responsibility to effect positive change," commented Matt Harney, SEAL Awards' Founder. "Most business sustainability initiatives are unglamorous and invisible to the general public despite having significant positive impacts - we hope our awards bring some much-needed recognition to both the activities and the leaders behind them."

In 2021, Sappi restructured the program to have entrants align their submissions with at least one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and focus on addressing social, environmental, healthcare, and community issues. These goals are core principles of Sappi's business and sustainability practices and aligning them with Ideas that Matter projects ensures that funding going toward the greatest areas of global impact.

Learn more about the Ideas that Matter grant program and past winners here: https://www.sappi.com/sappi-ideas-that-matter