Paul Newman and Ken Derr are the founding co-chairs of the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP), the only international forum of CEOs exclusively focused on corporate philanthropy. CECP’s mission is to lead the business community in raising the level and quality of corporate philanthropy. Engaging with the public, private, and independent sectors, CECP’s 170 members seek and create opportunities to help advance the case for philanthropy and inspire other business leaders to make a lasting commitment to community giving. www.CorporatePhilanthropy.org
By partnering with community-based organizations in over 40 cities nationally, 41,000 people were served last year. Community Voice Mail provides the exceptional service of free, personalized telecommunications access to the poor and homeless across the U.S.
The simple concept of providing voice mail service to connect individuals to prospective employers, landlords, case managers and family members is a critical step on the road to stability and self-sufficiency. In 2003, the Cisco Foundation awarded CVM a $2.5 million grant to enhance the organization’s service capabilities, centralize the voice mail system, and bring its services to additional cities nationwide. Cisco’s investment and the application of its technology and expertise for social good has had a transformative impact on the lives of tens of thousands of people every year.
“The partnership that Community Voice Mail National has with Cisco Systems is one that most nonprofit organizations can only dream of,” said CVM Executive Director Jennifer Brandon. “With the depth and breadth of Cisco’s contribution, we have been able to thrive instead of just survive. Ours is a situation that I wish more nonprofits could have because the impact would be extraordinary.”
2. PNC was awarded CECP’s Large Company Excellence Award; for the PNC Grow Up Great initiative, the company implemented a 10-year, $100 million investment to provide underserved children with quality preschool opportunities, preparing them for future success in school and throughout life. Through a holistic effort that involves significant public CEO endorsement, advocacy, funding and employee engagement to educate parents, caregivers, and communities on the importance of pre-K education, PNC has successfully created a model that has the potential to achieve national impact.
3. Moody’s Corporation won the Small Company Award (revenues less than $3 billion) for the company’s giving program which encourages students to develop a passion for mathematics, economics and finance. In partnership with the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM), Moody’s Mega Math Challenge offers an Internet-based applied mathematics competition for high school students. Proficiency in mathematics is essential for many careers in the 21st century and this program helps build a future talent pipeline for the company.
Value is the only commonality in an increasingly complex, challenging and interdependent world.