Corporate philanthropy with a personal touch
Employees set the giving agenda for The PBG Foundation.
One of PBG’s most popular employee benefits is one that benefits employees’ communities.
Through The PBG Foundation, employees determine where corporate donations are needed the most. In hundreds of communities across America, employees contribute time and money to nonprofit organizations that are important to them and their families. PBG encourages and supports this dedication by matching employee donations and hours volunteered.
“The foundation’s approach to philanthropy started out as an employee matching gifts program and has expanded to encourage more volunteerism and greater leadership participation in communities,” says Paula Davis, Vice President of Corporate Communications at PBG. The foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations based on employee volunteer hours and doubles matching gifts for employees who serve on a nonprofit board.
“The PBG spirit is unique. Employees here have a strong sense of responsibility to their communities and an equally strong modesty about their efforts. By supporting their causes directly, we are able to recognize employees’ contributions in a way that is most meaningful and respectful to them,” says Davis.
Time translates into dollars
Employees who volunteer just 20 hours a year to their favorite nonprofit can secure a $250 donation; 40 hours yields a $500 donation. If three or more employees volunteer for a hands-on project with an eligible organization on three or more occasions, the project is eligible for a $2,500 grant.
In 2007, The PBG Foundation provided more than $2.4 million in financial gifts and grants to more than 2,000 nonprofit, community-based organizations and projects, including those selected by PBG employees.
Davis says the power of the program comes from making it easy for employees to take a direct role in selecting the recipients of PBG’s support. “Whether it’s a delivery driver in Orlando or a sales manager in Seattle, our employees are on the frontline of the issues that affect their neighbors and customers,” she explains. “PBG employees are passionate about giving back, and we provide the tools and funding to help them achieve their goals.”
Causes for celebration
Elsewhere, PBG contributes to the communities it serves through direct financial donations, product donations and executive nonprofit board participation. As Davis notes, “Our mission is to help make families stronger, improve our neighborhoods and support the causes that matter most to our employees.”
The team at the foundation is charting an even more ambitious future. It is looking to launch several new programs to increase employee participation and reach more local nonprofits in more markets.
*Answer: (B) More than 40,000, but since many employees volunteer without applying for grants, the actual figure is much higher.
Did you know...*
Based on grant applications alone since 2002, how many hours of their time have PBG employees volunteered?
A 22,000 hours
B 40,000 hours
C 66,000 hours
A firm foundation
The PBG Foundation spearheads the company’s participation in the United Way campaign.
At PBG’s headquarters alone, 1,000 employees raised more than $391,000 for the organization, which was then matched by the foundation.
PBG employees support more than 2,000 organizations each year through donations and volunteerism.
