Nonprofit Technology, Social Movements and Community
PR Newswire | July 18, 2023
Veritiv Corporation, a leading business-to-business distribution solutions company, today announced new corporate social responsibility commitments with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Purpose Built Communities through its community engagement and philanthropy program, Veritiv Connects.
Veritiv Connects advances programs that help individuals learn, grow, and thrive with education at the core of the company's community efforts. Building upon the success of the past few years, Veritiv is growing its philanthropic outreach by investing in two national relationships that further align with its community focus areas, including programs that create safe and sustainable neighborhoods, and mentorship opportunities for youth that unlock avenues for success and contribute to a vibrant workforce.
"Veritiv is on a journey to create the best culture for our employees, and our culture is not only shaped by who we are but also by what we do," said Sal Abbate, Chief Executive Officer of Veritiv. "Giving back to the communities where we live, work and serve is not simply a value add – it is a core responsibility. I am an advocate for our organization and our team members to use time, talent, and treasure to support non-profit organizations across our footprint."
"We are committed to enhancing our involvement in our communities to leave a lasting impact," said Kat Reynolds, Community Relations Manager at Veritiv. "We are excited to collaborate with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Purpose Built Communities because both of these organizations are helping to holistically shape the success of many communities."
Boys & Girls Clubs of America's mission is to help young people reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens through youth development programs driven by local need and available resources. This collaboration with Veritiv will establish connections between Clubs and Veritiv employees through volunteer opportunities with local Keystone Club leadership programs in five markets across the United States, including Atlanta, Georgia; Jacksonville, Florida; Dallas, Texas; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Los Angeles, California. Boys & Girls Clubs of America's National Keystone Club provides unique development opportunities for teens ages 14 to 18 focusing on academic success, career preparation, community service, and teen outreach.
"We are honored to be selected as a corporate social responsibility partner through Veritiv Connects," said Chad Hartman, National Vice President of Corporate Partnerships & Engagement, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "As Clubs continue to establish deep community connections through volunteer opportunities with Veritiv team members, kids and teens will gain meaningful experiences that will put them on the path to a great future."
Purpose Built Communities partners with local leaders to transform neighborhoods across the United States so neighbors can achieve greater racial equity, improved health outcomes, and increased upward mobility. Veritiv will directly support Purpose Built Communities' national efforts and local work underway in Atlanta, Georgia; Jacksonville, Florida; and Dallas, Texas. The support will include local engagement and volunteer opportunities for Veritiv employees who live and work in these areas.
"Purpose Built Communities knows that prosperity starts with place," said Carol Naughton, Chief Executive Officer of Purpose Built Communities. "We have a deep and long-lasting commitment to strengthening neighborhoods so that neighbors have all the resources they need to flourish. We are excited to collaborate with Veritiv and deepen the impact of our work."
About Boys & Girls Club of America
For 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. Over 5,000 Clubs serve over 3.6 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook and Twitter.
About Purpose Built Communities
Purpose Built Communities partners with local leaders to design, direct, and accelerate neighborhood transformation initiatives across the United States with the shared goal to ensure every resident experiences greater racial equity, improved health outcomes, and increased upward mobility. The Purpose Built Communities model of holistic revitalization includes affordable, mixed-income housing, a cradle-to-college education pathway, community wellness programs and facilities, and a thriving commercial core that creates economic vitality, all within a defined neighborhood, coordinated by a dedicated, nonprofit community quarterback organization. The Purpose Built Communities includes 27, Network Members, community quarterback organizations, in 15 states. For more information, visit purposebuiltcommunities.org. Connect on Facebook @PurposeBuiltCommunities and Twitter @PurposeBuiltCS.
About Veritiv
Veritiv Corporation (NYSE: VRTV), headquartered in Atlanta and a Fortune 500® company, is a full-service provider of packaging, JanSan and hygiene products, services and solutions. Additionally, Veritiv provides print and publishing products. Serving customers in a wide range of industries both in North America and globally, Veritiv has distribution centers throughout the U.S. and Mexico, and team members around the world helping shape the success of its customers. For more information about Veritiv and its business segments visit www.veritiv.com.
Read More
Nonprofit Technology
PR Newswire | August 08, 2023
GiveSmart, the fundraising and donor management tech company by Community Brands, proudly announces its platform's latest innovation, Automated Data Sync, which will save nonprofits significant time and money ahead of the busiest fundraising period of the year. This product release is available for all GiveSmart users as of August 7, 2023.
Automated Data Sync eliminates data silos and removes manual processes by allowing donor and transaction data to flow from all areas of the GiveSmart platform, including online donation forms, golf outings, gala events, and peer-to-peer campaigns, to the CRM. The time savings involved with Automated Data Sync, combined with the accuracy it affords, makes reporting, progress to goals, and increasing donor retention easier than ever.
GiveSmart proudly powers $6.5 billion in fundraising and is thrilled to bring this oft-requested interconnectivity to its nonprofit partners. This product upgrade compliments recent developments that expand tools to make events and fundraisers limitless. Other notable updates include single sign-on, which allows nonprofit users to navigate the GiveSmart platform seamlessly, without the need to juggle multiple logins or screens.
"According to GiveSmart's Adapting for Your Donors: Insight into the State of Fundraising and Technology, more than nine in 10 nonprofit professionals desire a single solution that can meet all of their fundraising and donor management needs. Today, GiveSmart offers the connected technology nonprofits deserve," shared Steve Greanias, GiveSmart General Manager. "Our fully-featured platform increases efficiency and breaks down data silos, ensuring each deserving mission is one step closer to being realized."
GiveSmart is dedicated to capturing and acting on customer feedback. Automated Data Sync is the latest investment in the GiveSmart platform, following several acquisitions to create a built-to-grow, connected solution for nonprofits, schools, and associations of all sizes. With five out of 10 nonprofit professionals saying their organization has multiple tools that perform the same functions, GiveSmart stands alone as the market leader in helping nonprofits raise more and save money through technology consolidation.
See how GiveSmart can take your fundraising, event management, and donor engagement to the next level with a demo at givesmart.com/demo/. To stay up to date on GiveSmart, visit and subscribe to GiveSmart's blog and follow the company on LinkedIn.
About Community Brands
Community Brands is the leading provider of software solutions for associations, nonprofits, and K-12 schools. With approximately 2,000 employees serving over 50,000 clients in 30 countries, we provide solutions for association and school management, 501c3 fundraising, fund accounting, event operations (virtual, live, and hybrid), and career development. We offer you greater innovation, connected solutions, and market expertise so that you can fulfill your mission and drive your purpose.
About GiveSmart
GiveSmart is a mobile bidding, fundraising, event management, and donor management software. Our mission is to help nonprofits, schools, and foundations reach their fundraising goals while creating an engaging, exciting, and easy giving experience for their donors. All. Year. Round. GiveSmart has helped our partners raise over $6.5 billion. Learn more at givesmart.com.3
Read More
Social Movements and Community, Philanthropy
Businesswire | July 10, 2023
Upbound Group, Inc., a leading provider of technology driven and flexible leasing solutions for consumers through its operating brands including Rent-A-Center® and Acima®, continued our partnership and donated $100,000 to Hire Heroes USA for the second consecutive year. The organization is dedicated to support veterans and military spouses get hired and retain their jobs.
Upbound supports charities and organizations that align with its community pillars: disaster relief, family and youth empowerment, hunger relief and veterans affairs. Upbound’s desire to help veterans thrive aligns perfectly with Hire Heroes USA’s vision and principles. Because employment assistance is one of the top services requested by transitioning military members, Hire Heroes USA empowers U.S. military members, veterans and spouses to succeed in the workforce following their time spent in the military. With over 1,400 volunteers at Hire Heroes USA and over 65,000 jobs found for veterans, Hire Heroes USA is the most effective veteran employment nonprofit in the country.
Through this partnership, Upbound is grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in veterans’ lives.
“We believe in the importance of serving and empowering our customers, whether that’s in-store or through our philanthropic efforts,” says Anthony Blasquez, EVP - Operations. “This partnership with Hire Heroes USA not only helps to achieve this but also demonstrates our commitment to supporting our veterans throughout the years.”
On May 31, Upbound held a reception for its employees who are veterans at its Field Support Center in Plano, Texas, and presented a check for $100,000 to Hire Heroes USA’s Lead Corporate Account Manager, Jamie Rimphanli. During the ceremony, Upbound CEO Mitch Fadel spoke to the importance of supporting veterans affairs and organizations such as Hire Heroes USA, before presenting the check to Rimphanli.
“Hire Heroes USA is fortunate to have continued support from Upbound,” said Jamie Rimphanli. “Our growth is only possible if our community stakeholders invest in our work. Last year, we achieved 12,764 confirmed hires of veterans and military spouses with an average salary of $65,714. We provided 20,000 job seekers access to our services, and 18,000 were directly helped through one-on-one career coaching. We broke our record, and this happens year after year due to everyone's support. Since 2005, we have achieved 82,000 lifetime hires. We cannot do this alone, and with this generous donation, we look forward to another successful year in 2023.”
About Hire Heroes USA
Hire Heroes USA empowers US military members, veterans and their spouses to succeed in the civilian workforce. Our organization offers personalized one-on-one coaching, professionally revised resumes, mentoring, workshops, a job board, career fairs and more, to tens of thousands of job-seeking veterans and military spouses annually. Hire Heroes USA prioritizes transparency, earning a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and the GuideStar Platinum Seal. Funded exclusively through public donations and private grants, we provide our services at no cost to clients. For more information about our organization, visit hireheroesusa.org.
About Upbound Group, Inc
Upbound Group, Inc. is an omni-channel platform company committed to elevating financial opportunity for all through innovative, inclusive, and technology-driven financial solutions that address the evolving needs and aspirations of consumers. The Company’s customer-facing operating units include industry-leading brands such as Rent-A-Center® and Acima® that facilitate consumer transactions across a wide range of store-based and digital retail channels, including over 2,400 company branded retail units across the United States, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Upbound Group, Inc. is headquartered in Plano, Texas. For additional information about the Company, please visit our website Upbound.com.
Read More
Nonprofit Technology, Philanthropy
PR Newswire | July 25, 2023
The Parkinson's Foundation has announced an investment of $2.8 million in 30 grants to accelerate cutting-edge Parkinson's disease (PD) research. Through research grants, the Foundation funds scientists conducting innovative studies across various aspects of PD to bring forward new therapies, treatments, and ultimately a cure for the 10 million people worldwide living with this debilitating neurological disease.
"Taking on a disease as complex as Parkinson's requires the best scientific minds in the world. We are focused on supporting innovative scientific approaches to research, and individual scientists are the drivers of those advances," said Chief Scientific Officer James Beck, PhD, of the Parkinson's Foundation.
This year, the Parkinson's Foundation 2023 Bill and Amy Gurley Impact Awards were made possible by a $1 million donation from Bill and Amy Gurley. These awards are designed to support out-of-the-box projects that bring a new light to the biology of PD, a new approach to research or a novel treatment idea.
Jingxin Wang, PhD, one of the award's recipients from the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy, will utilize the grant to explore a potential new way to target the cause of PD by using RNA-degrading technology. This study will use new technology to investigate how to prevent over-accumulation of the alpha-synuclein protein in the brain, hopefully paving a way to halt the development of the disease. The study's findings can potentially revolutionize the field of RNA therapeutics, not only for PD, but also for a wide range of neurological disorders.
"Receiving this esteemed award from the Parkinson's Foundation is an incredible honor and a significant milestone in my journey as a researcher," said Wang. "I am dedicated to advancing our understanding of Parkinson's, and as a chemist, I am excited to harness the potential of RNA-degrading technology to target this complex neurological disorder."
Parkinson's Foundation research grants are selected through a highly competitive application process that is comprised of a peer-review panel of scientific experts, including members of the Foundation's Scientific Advisory Board and Foundation-trained research advocates. Research award categories include independent investigator awards, fellowships, early career awards and awards for institutions. For a complete list of 2023 recipients and more information about Parkinson's Foundation research grant opportunities, please visit Parkinson.org/ResearchGrants.
About the Parkinson's Foundation
The Parkinson's Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson's disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. In everything we do, we build on the energy, experience and passion of our global Parkinson's community. Since 1957, the Parkinson's Foundation has invested more than $425 million in Parkinson's research and clinical care.
About Parkinson's Disease
Affecting an estimated one million Americans, Parkinson's disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's and is the 14th-leading cause of death in the U.S. It is associated with a progressive loss of motor control (e.g., shaking or tremor at rest and lack of facial expression), as well as non-motor symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety). There is no cure for Parkinson's and nearly 90,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S.
Read More