Tech Citizenship

As a large international company, IBM Corp. shares its values all over the world — its charitable programs cross borders around the world to reach every office and each employee.

“You could find the same programs in Spain or in Colombia that you would find in Massachusetts,” said Stanley Litow, president of the IBM Foundation and IBM’s vice president for corporate community relations.

Approximately 31 percent of IBM’s total annual charitable contributions are targeted overseas.

In 2005, the Armonk, N.Y.-based company contributed $38.8 million in cash to charitable efforts and programs. Of that total, $821,071 was donated to Massachusetts programs.

IBM is focused largely on educational programs that benefit the communities in which IBM develops its business, something requested by a majority of the company’s employees and shareholders.

“Education is critical to the success of IBM and society,” said Litow.

The principal recipients of IBM’s charitable activities in Massachusetts were Citizen Schools, which received $24,975 in IBM technology products; United Way of Massachusetts Bay, which received $60,000 cash as well as $98,850 in IBM technology products; and Year Up, which received $19,780 in IBM technology products.

One of the biggest programs developed by IBM is the World Community Grid, a computing grid benefiting humanity. Since it was launched two years ago, 226,000 people and 425,000 devices have joined so far, giving the grid a run-time equivalent of more than 59,000 years if it had been running on a single computer.

Another contribution has been the donation of Reading Companion software, computers and technical support and training to nonprofits and schools. These programs are focused on learning how to read and can also help in learning new languages.

For the little ones, IBM developed the KidSmart Early Learning Program that integrates interactive teaching and learning activities technology into prekindergarten curricula. The program is being implemented in 60 countries, serving more than 2 million children.

To engage its employees, IBM has developed an Internet site that trains employees online on where and how to do volunteer work. One of the most popular programs among employees is the IBM Mentor Place, where thousands of employee around the world provide students with online academic assistance and career counseling.

Another way the company supports employee efforts is by donating a computer to any organization where an employee volunteers more than 40 hours.

IBM employees’ volunteer activities in the Bay State include mentoring children, reading assistance and science teaching. Many employees also sit on nonprofit boards, such as the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education, Boston Education Funders or Waltham Partnership for Youth.

“We are tied to the community,” said Litow.

Citizenship Facts

IBM Corp.

Total cash contributions in New England in 2005: $821,071

Number of volunteer hours in New England in 2005: N/A

In-kind contributions of equipment and services in New England: $935,671

Principal recipients of charitable activities in 2005: Citizen Schools; United Way of Massachusetts Bay; Year Up

Interesting philanthropic activities: IBM continues to run the World Community Grid, a computing grid benefiting humanity. Since it was launched two years ago, 226,000 individuals and 425,000 devices have joined so far, giving it a run time equivalent to more than 59,000 years if it had been running on a single computer. The company has also donated Reading Companion software, computers and technical support and training to nonprofits and schools.

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