The Associated Press reports that Azim Premji, chairman of Wipro, will donate 213 million shares of stock, estimated to be worth 88.4 billion rupees, or $1.95 billion, to the Azim Premji Foundation by December 7, 2010, making it the largest one-time donation in modern history. The funds will finance education programs for the country’s poorest children, in hopes of allowing them to make a better life.

Arpan Sheth, a partner at Bain & Company, who is an expert in Indian charity, said that the contribution proved that the rich could have a major impact on the lives of the most disadvantaged citizens.

“This is a seminal event and a great signal to India as a whole that there are things you can do with your wealth other than pass it on to your heirs,” Sheth said in an interview with the AP.

Premji made other headlines after he was among a select group of Indian dignitaries to host the President of the United States on a recent visit. The Times of India reports that other guests included Narayana Murthy, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Javed Akhtar, Kapil Sibal, Vishwanathan Anand and P. Chidambram.

Carlos Slim, whose net worth is over $50 billion, spoke to a crowd of more than 1,000 business people in order to emphasize how important it is for corporations to donate to charitable causes, even if it means an added expense, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Slim said that being profitable and giving money to worthy causes go hand-in-hand and advised those in attendance to make it a priority.

“You’ve got to combine both things,” Slim said during one of the many events at Tijuana Innovadora, the news source reports. “An organization must be efficient, competitive, innovative. But companies must also donate to charities to solve problems that are not profitable, that are not part of the business.”

Slim made other philanthropy-related headlines recently when he criticized the way in which fellow billionaires Bill Gates and Warren Buffet have given away their money. In an interview with Forbes magazine, Slim said that donating one’s own wealth was “an interesting idea… but it won’t solve any problems.”

India’s Tata Group, which owns 28 companies and is worth $80 billion, became the largest international donor to Harvard Business School in its 102-year history. The money will go toward building a new campus for students in the Executive Education program, as well as a residential building called Tata Hall.

The president of the company has good reason to make HBS the recipient of such a large gift – he was a student there. He attended the school in 1975 and was awarded the Alumni Achievement Award in 1995.
“The Harvard Business School is the preeminent place to be exposed to the world’s best thinking on management and leadership, and we are pleased that this gift will support the school’s educational mission to mold the next generation of global business leaders,” said Mr. Tata.

Business philanthropy can be a great way to show leadership to industry colleagues. It not only goes to help an organization that may be in need of funds, but it can also raise the contributor’s profile worldwide.

Aside from its distinction as a global technology leader (claiming a market share of about 80% for microprocessors), Intel is also one of the world’s top corporate philanthropists for its numerous cash and in-kind donations as well as programs directed at education to provide a better future for the world’s youth.

The San Francisco Business Times hailed Intel as the third most generous philanthropic corporation. BusinessWeek also praised it, citing the semiconductor giant as one of the Biggest Corporate Givers.

The company views philanthropy as an investment in community, an investment in human development. Anchored on education as its focus area, it has invested over $1 billion in education programs as well as contributed over two million hours in associate volunteerism in over 50 countries. It has developed programs and resource materials that increase education and teaching efficiency.

The Intel Teach Program is among its most remarkable education initiatives. It provides effective training methods and modules for K-12 educators integrating technology with traditional teaching practices. The Program develops interest in problem solving, critical thinking and interpersonal skills to promote better student interaction. It has trained more than 5 million teachers in over 40 countries with a target of increasing this volume to 13 million teachers by 2011. Another initiative, the Intel Learn Program helps youths aged 8 to 26 in developing countries get advance learning skills. To date, this program has already reached more than 662,000 learners in various countries.

Intel wants to promote a deeper appreciation among the youth for the sciences through the Intel Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the world’s largest pre-college science competition. This is a venue where young scientific minds translate their ideas into reality and come up with scientific inventions that improve society. The ISEF has convened around 1,500 young scientists from more than 50 countries and awarded more than $4 million in scholarships and prizes.

Intel education initiatives are responsive to the needs of the underserved communities where science literacy and access to technology is low. The Intel Computer Clubhouse Network is an after-school learning program that helps the youth from these communities acquire knowledge and skills necessary for professional success. This program creates a community of learners, a creative and safe place where young people, with the guidance of their adult mentors, can enhance learning and creativity with the aid of technology.

With their stringent measures to reduce their emissions, the eight companies are reducing a total of around 50 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year.

According to Lisa P. Jackson, the current administrator of EPA, the efforts made by these responsible climate leaders emphasize the fact that the environment’s condition does not need to be compromised in order to attain economic progress. Lisa Jackson adds that these companies are doing their part to prevent the negative effects of climate change and at the same time empowering their consumers to support the environment by making more responsible choices.

The companies who have achieved their long term goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions include the following:

• Coors Brewing Company
• Anheuser-Bush Companies, Inc
• Bank of America Corp
• Eastman Kodak Company
• First Environment Inc
• Shaklee Corp
• Roche Group US
• Gap Inc

In 2009, Intelius, led by CEO Naveen Jain, gave over $360,000 to several local and national non-profits; most of the money (nearly $260,000) given to local Washington State nonprofit organizations. Money was only part of what the company contributed, as several Intelius employees volunteered hundreds of hours to various local organizations such as Hopelink, Treehouse, Youthcare, Boys and Girls Club of Bellevue, Eastside Domestic Violence, Kairos Society, and many others. The group focused on organizations supporting education, family services, basic needs, and youth development.

Anu Jain, Intelius’ Vice President of Community Relations stated, “I’m proud to say that at Intelius, giving back and being a good neighbor is an essential part of our corporate culture. Each year we push ourselves to do more and find new ways to help our community and those in need. In 2009, we increased our giving by more than 75% from 2009, continuing our track record of growing our annual contributions every year since our inception in 2003.”

Puget Sound’s Corporate Citizenship Program is a unique publication designed to award and recognize companies and their philanthropic contributions. The publication shines light on businesses that “do well by doing good”.

Justin Hein, a Managing Attorney for Roni Deutch Tax Corporation believes that it’s encouraging for the business community to know that the city has a plan of action for growth and strengthening business as well as other aspects of the Sacramento region.

The Sacramento Mayor’s goals include a commitment to community. Striving to make this goal a reality isn’t going to be a stretch for Roni Lynn Deutch’s group. The mayor is challenging citizens to participate in volunteer services for one hour each month. Roni Deutch, A Professional Tax Corporation has been committed to community service for quite some time. The company has its own Community Action Committee, designed to find and create opportunities for the firm’s employees to volunteer and have an impact on the Sacramento communities. Roni Lynn Deutch is proud of the Community Action Committee, which spearheaded several events in 2009 and plans to do even more in 2010.

Another one of Mayor Johnson’s initiatives is to make Sacramento a leader in the Green movement. Roni Deutch, A Professional Tax Corporation has already been taking steps in this direction. In 2009, the firm transitioned to a paperless client intake system, drastically limiting the amount of paper the offices uses. In 2010, the firm is committed to taking additional steps to limit paper usage by improving its office technology.

Roni Deutch is appreciative of her firm’s dedication to volunteerism as well as the Green movement. With these achievements combined with their efforts to help Sacramento through tough economic times by creating jobs, Deutch is confident that her team is making positive strides towards Sacramento’s overall goals.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. (DATE, 2010) – Through its Cydcor community relations program, Cydcor, the leading provider of outsourced, face-to-face sales teams, has donated 27 boxes of items, ranging from food snacks and toiletries to entertainment, to American soldiers through Any Soldier, Inc., an organization that helps nearly 100,000 American soldiers in all branches of the military receive letters and packages from home.

Cydcor community outreach and volunteerism is a key part of the company’s culture, and the donation to the troops represents the Cydcor’s goal of helping service people who are not able to be with families this holiday season.

The Cydcor community has donated to other charitable organizations in previous years, such as Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles and Casa Pacifica in Camarillo, California. To support its network of independent sales offices, the company also supports Cydcor offices in their community outreach programs. Cydcor also launched the Neighborhood Leader program in early 2009, which highlights volunteer efforts to charitable organizations around the United States. To date, Cydcor has supported 15 organizations, with more than 220 sales representatives participating and donating more than 200 hours.

“Our troops are making sacrifices for all of us and we felt it was very important to help them as much as we could,” said Gary Polson, chief executive officer of Cydcor. “We’re happy to be able to provide them with items they need to make life a little easier – our wish is that the Cydcor community could help each and every soldier who is giving their time to our country.”

Cydcor team members support Cydcor’s community relations efforts and took an enormous interest in donating to Any Soldier, adding items to the dozens of boxes at the company’s Westlake Village, CA location. Happy to “fill” the boxes, they were excited to put the packages together and get them quickly off to the troops.

On AnySoldier.com, e-mails are featured from military personnel regarding the type of support needed in the field – including letters, packages, toiletries, food, newspapers, and magazines. Donors – like Cydcor – address their letters and packages to the writer’s name, but also add the words “ATTN: Any Soldier” on the second line. The writer shares the mail with fellow servicemen and women. If there is “Any Soldier” not receiving a lot of mail from home, that soldier will be the first person to receive the letter.

“During the holidays, people become reflective, and our ability to be here with our families enjoying the comforts of home while our country’s soldiers are away from theirs resonated with the Cydcor community of team members. We want to do everything we can to ensure that they have a memorable holiday season,” said Vera Quinn, senior vice president of operations at Cydcor. “We’re proud to have had the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these soldiers.”

About Cydcor, Inc.
Cydcor, Inc., is the leading provider of outsourced, face-to-face sales teams to a diverse client base of companies in a range of industries, including telecommunications, office products, retail energy, and financial services. Cydcor works with a network of independently owned corporate licensee (ICL) Cydcor sales offices providing clients with access to more than 2,700 sales professionals and 200+ offices in North America. The privately held company is currently based in Westlake Village, California. For more information about Cydcor, log on to www.cydcor.com.

About Any Soldier Inc.
Any Soldier Inc. helps nearly 100,000 American soldiers in all branches of the military, both active duty and reservists, and has become one of the leading efforts in making sure the men and women who have been deployed for the war are cared for, via letters and packages from “home.” For more information, visit www.AnySoldier.com.

Contact:
Gail Michalak
Cydcor, Inc.
805.277.5500

Wal Mart’s record in corporate giving is also quite amazing. Reports released indicate that for FYE 2009, it gave over $423 million in charitable contributions all over the world, an increase by $85.6 million from the previous year.

The economic crisis has not slowed down Wal Mart’s commitment to corporate giving; it has in fact bolstered it. Together with its partner (domestic and international) foundations, Wal Mart has advanced its commitment to programs addressing hunger, homelessness, joblessness, self-sufficiency, education and basic needs all over the world. Wal Mart believes that it is precisely during times of economic hardship that companies must step up and support those hardest hit by the crisis. The company asserts its responsibility to come up more effective ways to raise funds that can have a positive and lasting impact in the communities.

Wal-Mart’s community involvement year after year is remarkable. Education is a primary beneficiary of Wal-Mart charitable giving. WMF has donated at least $701 million to education charities since 1998. Each Wal-Mart store awards a $1,000 college scholarship to a qualifying high school senior. The company also has a commitment to the United Negro College Fund, pledging $1 million. Wal Mart sponsors the Competitive Edge Scholarship, which makes four-year scholarships –– each worth $20,000 –– available to students pursuing technology-related courses. This year, the company gave the Institute for Higher Education Policy a grant worth $4.1 million.

A breakdown of Wal-Mart’s largesse for 2009 include: more than $378 million in cash and in-kind donations from its US-based stores, $45.5 million cash and in-kind gifts and donations from its international stores, more than $106 million raised through in-store giving program benefiting local charities. This totals a global contribution of nearly $530 million for the FYE 2009. Wal Mart’s in-kind donations include providing meat, agricultural produce and other foodstuffs donated to US food banks.

Wal Mart continues its partnership with nonprofit organizations to address hunger, disasters, nutrition, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. It gave over $248 million to local and national charities including $5 million for YouthBuild, $4.7 million for Children’s Miracle Network, $3 million for The Salvation Army, and $3.4 million for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Moreover, company volunteerism runs high. Wal Mart’s workforce and associates in the US contributed more than one million volunteer hours, a milestone to encourage increased community service.

Alice Walton, daughter of Sam Walton, works closely with the Walton Family Foundation (where she serves as a board member) and their philanthropic endeavors. Alice, born into an environment where philanthropy was championed, currently spearheads the Foundation’s involvement with Crystal Bridges, a museum of American Art. The museum is dedicated to American artists, and strives to be a place of learning within the community. The heart of the art collection at Crystal Bridges will include works donated by Alice Walton and the Walton Family Foundation, as well as gifts, loans, and donations from other private collectors. Alice Walton‘s philanthropic ventures are reflective of those of the Walton family and the Wal Mart corporation.

As a global company, Nokia fulfills its responsibility to promote sustainable development in whichever way possible. Thus, it works with several international nonprofit organizations to pursue its social responsibility programs toward youth and children development, disaster relief, and community building.

The company targets providing youth with life skills to help them achieve personal and professional success. It collaborated with the International Youth Foundation (IYF) in 2000 to launch an international initiative to improve literacy, scholastic performance, active citizenship, and employment skills among young people. Nokia has contributed over $26 million and benefited 330,000 young people.

The company also donated an initial amount of €1,000,000 to Plan, a humanitarian international children’s organization in order to launch e-learning activities to educate African children of their rights and opportunities.

Nokia also regards community building as its social responsibility because its mobile technology has the capacity to influence and bridge communication for millions of people around the world.

In Africa, it implemented a project called The Village Phone program, which made communication easier for villagers in the outskirts of Africa through village phones.

In the Philippines, Nokia launched BridgeIt under the program title “text2teach” in May 2003 to provide technology-based instructional materials to 5th and 6th grade teachers in order to boost academic performance of students. Its two years of implementation has benefited more than 122,000 students and 920 schoolteachers.

Nokia has rendered charitable contributions to several international nonprofit institutions such as the United Way and UNICEF. It also developed an employee philanthropy program which has raised over $500,000 for charity.

The company has also contributed to disaster relief efforts, working hand in hand with the Red Cross. It donated $1 million to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina. In response to the Southeast Asian tsunami, Nokia initiated a long-term recovery program through a contribution of €2,500,000 Reconstruction Fund. It also provided 1000 mobiles phones to rescue teams and operators to support relief work. It also funded rebuilding programs in Pakistan and instituted a Nokia Education Fund for children who lost their parents to the September 11 attacks.