Wednesday, November 24, 2010

2010 Tech Citizenship honoree: Ipswitch Inc.

Ipswitch Inc. has been a philanthropy participant almost since the company began turning a profit, CEO Roger C. Greene says — but at some point, Greene began thinking the Lexington company could do more. “I realized we could introduce employees to giving and community involvement in ways that would enrich their lives,” he wrote in his blog. The result was a program the company calls iCare, which aims to connect employees with local charitable organizations and pairs Ipswitch’s dollar contributions — five percent of annual profits every year — with hours of employee volunteerism.

They’ve done well in that aim, said Allyce Najimy, executive director of The Foundation to Be Named Later, a branch of the Red Sox Foundation. “They’re one of my favorite partners ever,” she said. “They’re not just sponsors, but true partners.”

Citizenship facts
Total cash contributions in New England in 2009: $303,530

Number of volunteer hours in New England in 2009: 400

In-kind contributions of equipment and services in New England in 2009: 0

Principal recipients of charitable activities in 2009: Gifts To Give, The Foundation To Be Named Later, CARE, EJI - Equal Justice Initiative, Habitat For Humanity, Room To Grow

Interesting philanthropic activities: Ipswitch employees collecting over 500 books for children and bags upon bags of clothing for all ages.