edition 2002
The purpose of the Nation-wide "Benefactor of the Year" Competition is to promote partner cooperation between NGOs and businessmen aimed at solving local problems, promotion of philanthropy and distributing information on community initiatives supported by firms. Moreover, the Competition provides NGOs with opportunity to express their gratitude to their donors.
The "Benefactor of the Year 2002" competition was organized by the Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland. The competition promotes corporate social responsibility and rewards those companies that provide the most help to social organizations.
The 419 nominees that met the formal requirements for last year`s competition gave more than 4.7 million euro (zl. 20 million) to social organizations in the form of goods, services and financial support. The number of entrants, who are nominated by NGOs, increased by a third compared with the previous year, while the value of aid rendered by the benefactors doubled.
The list of awarded companies includes Levi Strauss Poland, which in 2002 provided zl. 100,000 for five scholarship schemes that benefited 144 students from poor families.
Two other companies engaged in social schemes were Ernst & Young and Carlsberg Okocim, where more than 450 employees of these firms contributed money from their own wages to support educational and rehabilitation programs. The companies matched the resources provided by their employees.
Food processing company Pudliszki distributed more than 370 tons of food, worth more than zl. 2 million, to food banks and other organizations for poor families, pensioners and retirees. The company also created an efficient model for working with the needs of NGOs.
The Warta Foundation, created by the insurance and banking group of the same name, contributed zl. 380,000 to projects related to health, education, culture, sports, charity and the environment, which were implemented by nine separate NGOs. Thanks to the donation, seven scholarships for exceptionally gifted children were awarded, the pediatric units of seven hospitals were painted as part of the "Butterfly Hospital" project and several children were sent on holidays as part of the "Open the World to Children" scheme.
Some of the companies nominated for "Benefactor of the Year 2002" also funded cultural events. The Economic Cooperative Bank in Barlinek, for instance, supported the development of the band Halka and dance company Roll-Dance by purchasing sound equipment and promoting the companies in the press. The bank also supported the organization of the "Bierzwnik 2002" National Workshop of Antique Music Groups.
There were also companies whose employees directly participated in charity events. One such company was the Municipal Transport Company of Cracow (MPK), which organized 14 charity events in the city for children with special needs, flood victims and the poor. The company`s employees also organized a public collection on trams where passengers received free rides in exchange for donating their fares. MPK also helped collect three tons of food and cleaning products for flood victims and underprivileged children. The company was honored with the title of "Benefactor of the Year 2002" in recognition of its activities.
These several examples of corporate social responsibility give credence to the idea that companies have a large role to play in meeting the needs and solving the problems of society. Building clear, lasting relationships with all interested parties - shareholders, employees, suppliers and partners, clients, other companies on the marketplace, local communities, media and municipal authorities - are an indispensable element of fulfilling this mission.
Artur Ptak, The Competition Coordinator
Companies awarded by categories:
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ecology
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education
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culture & art
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social welfare and human rights protection
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corporate volunteerism
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special prize
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The purpose of the Nation-wide "Benefactor of the Year" Competition is to promote partner cooperation between NGOs and businessmen aimed at solving local problems, promotion of philanthropy and distributing information on community initiatives supported by firms. Moreover, the Competition provides NGOs with opportunity to express their gratitude to their donors.