A Different Kind of Bottom Line - Next Level Conscious Capitalism

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Dec. 26, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- 51% of young adults rejected capitalism outright in a 2016 Harvard University survey, and only those aged 50+ showed majority support for capitalism. On closer inspection, it is how free markets are operated that respondents found objectionable. Capitalism is only as good as Capitalists are.

Next Level Performance, an award-winning, performance improvement company in New Brunswick, NJ, prioritizes a healthy bottom line, but defines it with the longer-term perspective required for a sustainable society.

"Our mission is to help people and organizations dig deeper, reach higher, and attain the next level," says Dave Dittman, President of the 43-year-old company. "This transcends wages."

"Our CARES core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, Ethical Behavior, and Service make us stewards of many communities, not just clients and employees, but also suppliers, investors and society."

"We know we are fortunate, and we want to make sure that those facing challenges know that they have others upon whom they can count. Yes, we have an obligation to make a profit, but what we do with those profits is a measure of who we are as human beings."

The company, which has been voted one of New Jersey's Best Places to Work four of the last five years, encourages its teammates to participate in several outreach initiatives throughout the year. The company provides money, resources, and has even enabled time off toward community commitment activities. This enables support for smaller, regional organizations that may be closer to the constituents they serve, including non-profits that cannot necessarily afford major fundraising efforts and therefore can be overlooked by major donors.

"We contribute in ways that can have a real impact," according to Dittman. "We spend time carefully evaluating the charities, the work they do, and the efficiency with which they work."

This year, three needs categories drew the focus of Next Level charitability: children, food insecurity, and basic human needs.

Community Food Bank

"Women Fighting Hunger" funnels material aid to help keep New Jersey's young women in school, as well as helping the food insecure in NJ.

For a child to go hungry can compromise their future. Last year was the third year for this event and we at Next Level Performance wanted to be a part of this important support system that truly benefits our state.

NXLP committed a donation of $5,000 to Kids Café sponsorships for 2019, helping provide meals for 30 children participating in a Kids Café each afternoon during the school year. For some of these kids, this may be the one meal upon which they can depend, so Next Level Performance has committed yet again to sponsor a Kids Café for 2020.

HOPE Week and Holiday of HOPE

HOPE stands for Helping Others Persevere and Excel. The NY Yankees initiated HOPE Week 2011 and challenged other organizations to take up the cause. NXLP has embraced the effort, and each summer selects regional organizations to support with a week of service. This year's activities included:

• Sent teammates to Children's Specialized Hospital (CSH) to decorate shadow boxes as part of physical and cognitive therapy. The items from the shadow boxes were then distributed to children for play and entertainment.
• Sent a team to Children's Specialized Hospital to host a breakfast for the parents and families of young patients.
• Assembled Activity Kits to help keep the young patients of CSH entertained during their hospital stay.
• Sent teams shopping for pajamas and books for the Pajama Program to help children in special situations have a good night's sleep.
• Brought in Next Level employees' children to decorate and assemble over 150 Halloween Treat Bags for CASA of Middlesex County.
• Coordinated and donated to a building-wide food drive for Elijah's Promise.

Next Level Performance efforts continue into the holiday season, as gift-buying made holiday wishes come true for homeless and foster children through Homefront. Teammates alsocollected coats, hats, gloves and blankets to keep New Brunswick neighbors warm in partnership with Elijah's Promise.

NXLP Teammate Donations

Our Teammate Donations provide $100 for each employee to donate to the 501(c)3 organization most meaningful to them.

In 2019, these donations have included:

• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
• Boys & Girls Clubs
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• Monmouth County ASPCA
• World Central Kitchen
• Jersey Shore Rescue Mission
• St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center
• The Seeing Eye
• Ryan's Quest
• Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
• Save the Children
• Charity: Water
• WaterAid
• Prevent Child Abuse America (PCAA)
• Make-A-Wish Foundation
• Upper Bucks Alliance for Creative Expression

2019 Holiday Giving to Four Partners

Additionally, each year, the company selects a number of organizations for a donation of funds during the holiday season. 2019 recipients were:

Good Grief of New Jersey

Since 2004, Good Grief has worked to ensure that no child in New Jersey has to grieve alone. The organization provides unlimited and free support to children, teens, young adults and families after the death of a mother, father, sister or brother through peer support programs, education and advocacy, through locations in Morristown and Princeton.

Bridge of Books Foundation

Thousands of New Jersey children do not have adequate access to books in their homes, schools or communities. Next Level helped put books into the hands of the children who need them, this holiday season. NXLP is helping to give the gift of literacy by donating books and making a donation so new books can be purchased.

The Pride Center of New Jersey, Inc.

This all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is dedicated to the health and wellbeing of individuals in the LGBTQ+ community. The Pride Center of New Jersey mission is to provide a safe and welcoming place for all in the LGBTQ+ community, especially youth, to come for support, education, health education, and social opportunities to help grow self-awareness, self-acceptance and self-esteem, in order to live healthier and happier lives with equality and social justice. Programs include youth and young adults, Health Education and free HIV testing.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

CASA of NJ empowers and supports a statewide network of local CASA programs covering all 21 NJ counties. CASA volunteers provide one-on-one advocacy to abused or neglected children placed in foster care and other out-of-home placements. These volunteers provide a voice for children in court, in school, and in the community. They work tirelessly to ensure children and youth have the services they need while in foster care and remain with each case until a permanent place to live is secured. That could include reunification with parents and caregivers, placement with relatives, or adoption. This past year, 2,186 volunteer advocates served 4,035 children, which represents about half of the children in need of such advocacy in NJ.

"A rising tide lifts all boats," added Dave Dittman, President. "Next Level Performance excels at the principles that achieve real results for our colleagues, clients, and community. In this case, it is conscious capitalism that serves a higher purpose."

SOURCE Next Level Performance