I just learned about a new organization called the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy. It’s kind of like the Oscars for companies that doing good works. Among their members are more than 130 CEOs and Chairpersons, including over 45 of the Fortune 100. One of the CECP founders is actor and philanthropist Paul Newman. I like their philosophy (below) so I wanted to give it some press today about giving back.

PHILOSOPHY - Giving back, when conceived and executed thoughtfully, creates a win-win scenario for business and the public. From eradicating disease and improving childhood literacy rates to boosting employee job skills, opening new markets, and heightening brand recognition - business and society both stand to benefit greatly if companies can demonstrate programmatic effectiveness, fiscal accountability, and good stewardship in their philanthropic contributions.

Each year, CECP gives out awards for Excellence in Corporate Philanthropy. Below is a summary of the awards given today. Go to the CECP website to see the full story.
Question: If you were a member of CECP, what organizations would you select as recipients? What organizations (both growing and established) would you nominate?

GlaxoSmithKline funds community-led initiatives throughout the world, investing in health and education programs and donating medicines to support humanitarian efforts. Through cash, product and in-kind donations totaling more than $650 million in 2005, GSK capitalizes on opportunities in which the company’s involvement and leadership can increase the scope or effectiveness of a program. GSK is a founding member of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis and has already treated over 100 million people, making significant strides to eliminate this crippling yet preventable disease.

Click here to learn more about GlaxoSmithKline’s philanthropy programs.

salesforce.com’s philanthropic vision is to have all corporations be catalysts for creating healthy communities. They not only practice this within the company, but also encourage other entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized businesses to develop and deploy philanthropic programs at their own companies. Salesforce.com’s mission is to use the resources of its people, technology and relationships to improve the communities in which they do business. Click here to learn more about the Salesforce.com Foundation.

NONPROFIT AWARD - The National Academy Foundation (NAF) sustains a network of career-themed college preparatory academies across the country. This impressive organization provides professional leadership and adult mentoring as part of daily school life, creating personalized learning environments through small, safe high schools in urban communities. Citigroup has been working with NAF for 25 years and assists 50,000 NAF students annually, promoting financial management skills and helping build a diverse, well-equipped workforce. Pearson works with NAF students and teachers to develop project-based learning, digital arts education, and 21st century skills, and helps NAF share the results of these efforts with NAF Academy members. Click here to learn more about National Academy Foundation.

NONPROFIT HONOREES - The Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) inspires and enables young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. It provides them with a safe place to learn and grow, as well as ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals. Schwab and BGCA together created a financial literacy program, “Money Matters: Make It Count.” Through fun, interactive activities on topics like using a checking account, managing debt, saving for college and the basics of investing, teens learn practical ways to save, spend, and invest the money they earn. Additionally, forty-four teens who excelled in the program have been awarded college scholarships by the Charles Schwab Foundation. Click here to learn more about the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ) has developed a network of neighborhood-based programs that address the critical needs of children and their families, leading to the revitalization of their community. HCZ works with children from infancy through college to ensure their success. Their partnership with Lehman Brothers has involved not only financial support, but also thousands of volunteer hours in which employees run a competitive “Investment Camp” and provide intensive math tutoring to students. Many people in the field of education are actively observing HCZ’s program with the hope that it proves to be an effective model for education reform that can be applied to communities nationwide.
Click here to learn more about Harlem Children’s Zone.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Roshan and the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development Network
CECP awards the Aga Khan Development Network/Roshan special recognition for its inspirational business model in which corporate profits are reinvested back into the communities in which the company operates. Roshan is the leading GSM cellular service provider in Afghanistan, with coverage in over 160 major cities and towns and over one million subscribers. The company’s objectives include investing in technology and tapping employees’ expertise to help those who are marginalized or disadvantaged, and bringing mobile technology to rural communities to stimulate modernization, growth and prosperity.

Tim Richardson is an inspirational speaker who speaks about how giving increases employee morale, lowers employee turnover, increases customer loyalty and creates higher profits for Fortune 500 companies, associations, and national conventions. He is the founder of the The Worlds Biggest Blog Party an event which will connect bloggers from all over the world to raise money for charity. He is also founder and president of the Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund. For more information on Tim, go to www.TimRichardson.com