SWCA’s Gives Back Program Recognized for Corporate Social Responsibility with AEC’s 2026 “Building a Better World” Award

SWCA has been named one of five honorees of PSMJ’s 2026 AEC Building a Better World Award, recognizing significant community impact made possible through our Gives Back program.

The award celebrates architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms that are helping strengthen their communities and create lasting positive change. This recognition reflects something bigger than a single year of service. It is a reflection of the generosity, commitment, and care that our employees have demonstrated even before formalizing the SWCA Gives Back program over 13 years ago.

As one of four Core Values, Giving Back is foundational to SWCA. Through volunteerism, donations, and community partnerships, employees continue to show up for the people and places that matter to them, year after year.

“What an exciting honor for SWCA and our Gives Back program! I’m grateful to work alongside employee-owners who care deeply about their communities and consistently turn that commitment into action. They are the reason this program continues to thrive.” – Eileen Fagan, Gives Back and Sustainability Director.

Gives Back by the Numbers

In its award announcement, PSMJ highlighted the reach and impact of SWCA’s Gives Back program in 2025:

• 215 Gives Back events
• 6,111 volunteer hours
• $365,735 in total program impact
• Support for more than 227 organizations
• 90% of offices participating in at least one Gives Back event
• 3,153 employee event participations
• 781 employees using paid volunteer hours, representing 42% of eligible staff
• $116,890 in employee donations
• More than $1.6 million in cumulative employee and company donations since the program launched in 2013

These numbers tell an important story, but the true impact comes from the people behind them: the teams and Local Office Champions who work hard organizing events, the staff who continue to show up and give back, the offices building local partnerships, the leadership support, and everyone who continues to find meaningful ways to support their communities.

“The organizations recognized this year show that the AEC industry has the power to create lasting change,” said PSMJ President Gregory Hart.

PSMJ will recognize the 2026 award-winning firms at AEC THRIVE in Scottsdale, Arizona, on October 23. We will share photos after the event.

Learn more about SWCA’s award-winning Gives Back program.