IBM Corporate Giving Program

Overview: In 2002 IBM reported total giving $126 million to charitable and education institutions in the US and throughout the world. The company says that 31% of this largesse (about $39 million) was in cash, the rest in technology, time, and other company resources. Because the majority of these contributions were not awarded through a foundation and the company does not publish a grants list, it is difficult to use conventional measures of company giving or to use past performance to predict future behavior. What is clear is that IBM remains one of the most generous and well-respected funders in the world.

Over the last ten years, IBM has been one of the largest corporate contributors of cash, equipment, and people. All company philanthropic and community relations efforts emphasize information technology as a means of improving the quality of life. IBM's contributions target six key areas that highlight and enhance relationships with company customers and employees. This policy of strategic investments has benefited both the company and the beneficiary communities.

Almost all of the Foundation and Corporate Giving Program's funding is awarded to organizations which are involved in one of the corporation's several partnership programs. The webpage is full of descriptions on how IBM works with each of these partnerships. Find a program that closely matches your program and apply. Evidently, the IBM staff is open to discussion, but it takes a long time to find the right staff.

Adult training and workforce development: IBM has several initiatives in this area including: (1) Adult education and job training initiatives with organizations in six international communities; (2) Adult Literacy Partnerships with seven organizations throughout the US; (3) The Solutions Network, a web site partnership with the Welfare to Work organization that connects welfare recipients with gainful employment and links businesses with welfare to work resources in their communities.

Helping Communities in Need: Support for a range of civic and nonprofit activities that help those in need, including (1) Teaming for Technology, a program designed to enhance technology skills and maximize the effectiveness of social service agencies, (2) A computer software program with SeniorNet that will enable people with vision or motor difficulties to tailor how they view web pages, eliminating barriers that have kept the web off-limits to millions, (3) Coordination with the American Red Cross and United Way on a worldwide information web site on global disaster and disaster relief efforts, and (4) Coordinated efforts with Gifts Inkind to donate used personal computers to nonprofit organizations.

• Arts & Culture: IBM's support of the arts stems from a tradition of bettering our communities. By joining in partnerships with libraries, museums, and other cultural institutions that leverage IBM expertise, the company also demonstrates the role technology can play in enhancing the arts. Initiatives include (1) A partnership with the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia and (2) TryScience, the first international science exhibit developed for kids and coordinated through several science museums throughout the world
• Communities:
• Communities in Need:
• Education: IBM’s four principal education initiatives are Reinventing Education, KidSmart, MentorPlace, and Project FIRST, IBM The Reinventing Education program is in its third phase since its initiation in 1994. In 21 communities, IBM has made a substantial resource commitment to “tech up” teachers, classrooms, school buildings, and school systems. The Phase 3 RFP is now available.
• Education, Adult Education:
• Employment, Workforce Development:
• Environment: including grants to universities are promoting the optimal use of leading-edge technology to conduct research and recommend solutions to major environmental problems
• International: The company does have a small foundation which is primarily used to award cash grants to non-domestic organizations.

Application Procedures:: According to the Company webpage:

IBM's philanthropic resources are allocated to specific projects and programs that fit within our targeted areas of interest. The overwhelming majority of grants are initiated by IBM, do not stem from unsolicited proposals, and involve multi-year commitments. Subsequent grants will grow out of these efforts after the current grants have run their course.

While not encouraged, unsolicited proposals are reviewed on an ongoing basis. If your organization chooses to submit an unsolicited proposal, please note the following guidelines and address the requirements outlined below.

Guidelines

IBM only considers requests submitted by organizations which have a tax-exempt classification under Sections 170(c) or 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Priority is assigned to requests involving IBM technology or the volunteer efforts of our employees. In making a grant decision, we also consider what other types of IBM support (Matching Grants, Fund for
Community Service, United Way) an organization may already be receiving.

IBM does not make equipment donations or grants from corporate philanthropic funds to:

Individuals, political, labor, religious, or fraternal organizations or sports groups;

Fundraising events such as raffles, telethons, walk-a-thons or auctions;

Capital campaigns, construction and renovation projects;

Chairs, endowments or scholarships sponsored by academic or nonprofit institutions;

Special events such as conferences, symposia or sports competitions; and

Organizations that discriminate in any way against any race, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation.


Application process

Nonprofit organizations or educational institutions wishing to submit unsolicited proposals to IBM should make an initial inquiry in the form of a two-page letter. In the event that the proposal is of interest to IBM, additional information will be requested. Videotapes and other supplemental materials are strongly discouraged at this initial stage. The letter should include the following information:


Brief statement fully describing the mission of the organization, the amount of money requested, and the purpose of the contribution;

Description of the problem you wish to address, the solution you propose, and how IBM technology, and IBM volunteers, if appropriate, will be incorporated;

Proposed project budget with all other anticipated sources of income;

Plans to measure and evaluate program results;

Copy of an IRS 501(c)(3) ruling or other documentation substantiating tax exemption status; and

Name, address and telephone number of the project contact person.

Applications should be directed as follows:

Local projects:
Local Community Relations Manager

All other proposals:
Vice President
Corporate Community Relations
IBM Corporation
New Orchard Road
Armonk, New York 10504

Northeastern area:
Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Eastern Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Bethlehem, Reading, Allentown, Mechanicsberg, Scranton, Williamsport, for Western Pennsylvania: see Great Lakes area)

IBM Corporation
Corporate Community Relations and
Public Affairs
590 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022

Great Lakes area:
Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Western Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh, Erie)

IBM Corporation
Corporate Community Relations and
Public Affairs
18000 West Nine Mile Road
Southfield, MI 48086

Midwestern area:
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, St. Louis Metropolitan Area, Wisconsin

IBM Corporation
Corporate Community Relations and
Public Affairs
One IBM Plaza
Chicago, IL 60611

District of Columbia:
IBM Corporation
Corporate Community Relations and
Public Affairs
1301 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20005

Southern area:
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia

IBM Corporation
Corporate Community Relations and
Public Affairs
4111 Northside Parkway NW - L09F21
Atlanta, GA 30327

Southwestern area:
Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming

IBM Corporation
Corporate Community Relations and
Public Affairs
1507 LBJ Freeway
Dallas, TX 75234

Western area:
Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington

IBM Corporation
Corporate Community Relations and
Public Affairs
5600 Cottle Road
San Jose, CA 95193

Grants Paid

1999 ($125,000,000 )

2000 ($126,000,000 )

2001 ($126,000,000 )

2002 ($126,000,000 )

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