Philanthropy is not always an individual corporate program or initiative; it can also be a collaborative effort.
CECP supports and encourages corporate response to natural disasters. According to CECP’s Web site, “In addition to making extensive corporate contributions, [CECP member corporations] effectively leverage their global supply chain networks, innovative technologies and highly skilled employees to aid affected communities.”
This response became evident when a devastating earthquake left more than 3 million people homeless and killed nearly 80,000 in South Asia on October 8, 2005.
Shortly after this disaster President Bush approached the Xerox Corporation and four other businesses to lead a collaborative effort to raise money and resources to help the victims of the earthquake. “The instrument to do that was the South Asia Earthquake Relief Fund (SAERF), and I believe it is a model that has enormous potential,” says Joseph Cahalan, president of the Xerox Foundation. “It is a simple yet unique concept that brought together the on-the-ground knowledge and expertise of the federal government, the influence and reach of the corporate sector and the experience and capacity of the nonprofit world.” |
A construction worker is building the Saerf-funded basic health unit in the north-west frontier province, Pakistan. photo | Nazim Riaz
A Saerf-funded basic health unit in the north-west frontier province of Pakistan is being built by the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund.
photo | Nazim Riaz |
Students at the groundbreaking ceremony of a Saerf-funded high school in the north-west frontier province of Pakistan. photo | Nazim Riaz |
Bringing together corporations, nonprofit organizations and governments, SAERF has created a sustained reconstruction effort. One hundred percent of the funds raised were then granted to aid agencies that had extensive experience in the region for use in humanitarian relief. These five supporting companies covered all administrative costs: Citi, GE, Pfizer, UPS and Xerox. They also contributed legal, communications and project management expertise.
SAERF provides grants to many organizations including the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Both PPAF and IRC are working within the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan, focusing on education and health care facilities. The projects funded by SAERF will improve the quality of life for those affected by the 2005 South Asia earthquake. |
An International Rescue Committee health professional examines a young girl in Pakistan.
photo | courtesy of International Rescue Committee |
| Charles Moore, executive director of CECP states,
“We have made tremendous strides in spreading the
word to CEOs and senior executives about the power
and impact of corporate philanthropy. We are proud
that our membership has recently grown to more than 165 leaders, all of whom are vocal advocates for corporate community investment.” |
The theme of the 2007 conference was "Imperatives for Corporations Investing in Society."
photo | courtesy of CECP
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SF Connect, Inc.
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International Rescue Committee
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877.733.8433
www.theirc.org |
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