Five pillars of corporate social responsibility at JMP

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Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a core tenet of many organizations. How companies decide to give back is often an integral part of their mission and vision. JMP’s mission – to empower scientists and engineers with our software – is shown in many ways, including through our commitment to supporting educational initiatives and fostering innovation within our scientific community. JMP exemplifies its commitment to CSR by striving to incorporate the five pillars of CSR into all aspects of business and company culture. 

How does JMP implement the five pillars of CSR? 

Philanthropic responsibility  

The first pillar of CSR is philanthropic responsibility. This pillar represents a company's commitment to giving back to society and its local communities. JMP is committed to taking actions that go beyond our business interests to contribute positively to our communities around the world, the environment, and overall social well-being. JMP helps the greater community with charitable donations, community involvement, support for education, and much more. We are dedicated to helping the greater good and to being responsible and compassionate corporate citizens. 

By providing JMP free to students, we put our money where our mouth is when championing access to education for everyone. We have also launched a program called Summit Scholars, allowing college students who are passionate about data analytics to attend our annual Discovery Summit conference. At JMP, we understand that education is the keystone to success. 

We know our employees take volunteering very seriously. That’s why we give U.S. employees 20 hours a year for paid volunteer time. Employees are given the freedom to help the various organizations that mean the most to them, allowing them to make a true difference through their efforts. JMP also organizes other opportunities for our employees to get involved, using volunteering as a team bonding experience. Through these efforts and more, we aim to positively impact the quality of life of the communities we serve. 

Below is a list of just some of the organizations where JMP employees have volunteered using their paid volunteer hours: 

• American Red Cross  
• Dana Farber Cancer Institute  
• Hospice care centers 
• Local food banks 
• A Doorway to Hope 
• North Carolina Food Bank  
• Clemson Women’s Alumni Council  
• Correlation One 
• WildTrack 
• Free Moms at North Carolina State University 
• Wake County Public Schools  
• Clemson Family Ambassador Board  
• Apex Farmers Market  
• Inter-Faith Food Shuttle of Raleigh 
• High school booster clubs 
• Meredith College Alumni Board  
• Salvation Army (and Project CATCH) 
• Burkett Farm 

The majority of our employees use their volunteer time with organizations that address the needs of their local communities.  

One of our employees shared that their work in hospice centers as an end-of-life doula “brings me great satisfaction knowing that 'my person' left the world knowing me, [that their] life was a little easier… [that they were] not scared and less lonely.” They added, “Work doesn't fill my cup enough, and this helps.”  

Another employee, who spends their volunteer hours as a peer mentor for young individuals facing breast cancer diagnoses, stated, “I listen and let them voice the fears they may not have shared with anyone else. They may ask questions or seek my advice as someone who has been through a similar diagnosis.” 

Another employee recognizes the importance of literacy by defining it as the building block for everything and “the key to almost all aspects of a successful life, no matter how you define success.” This employee volunteers once a week and reads one-on-one with fourth graders to help them improve their reading fluidity.  

Of course, volunteering is something our global employees participate in too. Though they’re across continents, their volunteering looks very similar to what U.S-based JMP staff does, ranging from cleaning cages at animal rescue centers to picking up litter in public green spaces. 

Giving back to the community also means supporting local businesses. We invest resources in local communities and support small businesses by sourcing products locally and creating partnerships with local businesses.  

Ethical responsibility  

Ethical responsibility, or the obligation to do what is right and fair, is the second pillar of corporate social responsibility. JMP is deeply committed to ethical corporate social responsibility, actively championing LGBTQ+ rights, DEI initiatives, and the Black Lives Matter movement. We strive to create an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated, and where social justice is a core value – within our company and in the broader community. Our LGBTQ+ and Allies Pride group is a key part of our efforts, supporting LGBTQ+ rights and fostering a culture of acceptance and support.  

Additionally, as part of the SAS family, JMP has access to an Allies Resource Center that aims to educate and assist employees who wish to become allies, ensuring everyone feels empowered to support the LGBTQ+ community. SAS has also been recognized as one of the best places to work for LGBTQ+ equality, and JMP is proud to uphold these values and initiatives.  

At JMP, we celebrate the diversity of our team, with employees from 17 countries bringing a wide range of experiences and perspectives. Our Human Resources department actively seeks out diverse individuals with different backgrounds. We're committed to cultivating a workplace where everyone feels encouraged to express their ideas and appreciated for their unique skills and contributions.  

Additionally, our DEI Action Team ensures that diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the forefront of everything we do. Our DEI Action Team hosts events to bring awareness to ongoing DEI issues and to educate others with events like a Cultural Quiz Game in honor of World Day for Cultural Diversity or an International Women’s Day celebration. In August 2024, SAS and JMP celebrated Indigenous People’s Day by hosting an educational webinar. Our DEI Action Team is actively working to bridge the equality gap by hosting educational workshops and creating platforms for open dialogue.  

Lastly, JMP acknowledges the challenges that come with being a woman in STEM. We have a Women in STEM group that engages in a discussion forum and book club, providing members with a safe space where they can feel seen, heard, and respected. 

At a time when some organizations are scaling back their DEI efforts, JMP leadership has made it a priority to ensure that all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.  

Legal responsibility 

Legal responsibility is the third pillar of corporate social responsibility. At JMP, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of data security and privacy for our customers. We are committed to protecting customer information through rigorous security measures and compliance with regulations, ensuring data remains safe and secure at all times. 

Our commitment to customer data privacy and security is evidenced in the JMP Trust Center. It outlines how JMP keeps customer data and our own software secure, private, compliant, and top-tier quality. Security is integrated throughout our product development lifecycle, adhering to industry best practices to protect customer data. We also follow SAS’ rigorous standards, including the SAS Product Security Framework, Business Continuity Management, and the Code of Ethics. Lastly, our compliance with the PCI Data Security Standard ensures secure e-commerce transactions.  

Read more about our trust center and commitment to privacy and security here.  

Economic responsibility 

The next pillar of corporate social responsibility is economic responsibility, which involves not only being profitable but also ensuring that financial decisions are rooted in the commitment to do good. All pillars rest on the need to be profitable and produce revenue. Being profitable allows JMP to help with amazing initiatives like Summit Scholars and paid volunteer time off. Being economically responsible means that we can hire good people and pay them what they deserve. We are then able to funnel our profits from our software back into the product to make it better for our users. It also enables us to invest in sustainable practices and innovative projects that benefit both our company and society. 

Being economically responsible also means that we are accountable to SAS, our parent organization. By maintaining profitability and aligning with the broader goals of SAS, we ensure that our success contributes to the overall financial health of JMP. This financial responsibility strengthens our partnership and reinforces our shared commitment to doing good.  

Environmental responsibility  

Our software is often used to implement – or create – sustainable business practices. As a company, JMP has quite a few initiatives we support to help do our part. Data for Green, an ecosystem restoration project, pushes our employees to analyze best green practices, switch to environmentally friendly vendors, and encourage employees to minimize their carbon footprint when traveling for work. JMP is also proud to participate in global cleanups such as our World Water Day Cleanup and our World Cleanup Day.  

For more than 20 years, JMP and SAS have been proud sponsors of WildTrack, a non-profit conservation organization. WildTrack monitors endangered species with JMP’s analytical capabilities. WildTrack traces animal prints using JMP, allowing them to identify individual animals with remarkable precision. Conservationists collect and analyze footprint data, providing critical insights into the populations and movement patterns of endangered species. Through this sponsorship, WildTrack has been able to protect wildlife more effectively by leveraging data to support conservation efforts worldwide, from the Arctic to Zimbabwe to China. 

At JMP, we know that doing good extends beyond just these five pillars. Our commitment to social responsibility and ethical practices is woven into all aspects of our business. We aim to make a positive impact not only through CSR pillars but also by embracing opportunities that align with our values and contribute to the greater good. Whether it's through environmental sustainability, community engagement, or supporting diversity and inclusion, our goal is to create a better world for everyone.  

Tune in for the next blog to see how various companies around the world are using our software to make a difference and contribute to change outside of the five CSR pillars.