Tech Citizenship

Banta

IBM Corp.’s deep roots in philanthropy began with its founder, Thomas Watson, and endure today.

“In order to have a productive work force, you had to give back to the communities in which you lived and worked,” said Maura Banta, Eastern regional manager.

Five thousand employees are based in Massachusetts, and the Armonk, N.Y.-based information technology company applies its philanthropic vision by focusing on K-12 education and work force development.

Several software engineers worked at the Citizen Schools’ after-school program at a middle school in Lowell. During the 10-week program, the students learn about robotics, engineering and programming. Through these efforts, IBM hopes students will pursue so-called STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers. Officials say 100,000 employees nationwide participate in IBM’s volunteerism program, On Demand Community.

In addition, Banta said the small and midsize “enterprise toolkits” from IBM will help small businesses.

“It’s a website where anyone can go and download tools to make their small business more successful,” Banta said. (The site is us.smetoolkit.org/en.) IBM partners with business associations so that small businesses can learn how to use the tools on the portal. The site is divided into topics including accounting and finance, legal and insurance, and technology. There are also community forums to ask questions and share information.

Executives sit on numerous boards, including ACCESS and Boston Plan for Excellence.

— James Zipadelli is a freelance writer based in Boston.

Citizenship Facts

IBM Corp.

Total cash contributions in New England in 2006: $1.7 million

Number of volunteer hours in New England in 2006: 14,300

In-kind contributions of equipment and services in New England: $800,000

Principal recipients of charitable activities in 2006: United Way of Massachusetts Bay; Year Up; Boston Partners in Education; Action Center for Educational Services and Scholarships (ACCESS)

Interesting philanthropic activities: The international Small Medium Enterprise Toolkit was recently given a $1.6 million transformation by IBM, and has been expanded in the United States to target woman, African-American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American entrepreneurs and small businesses. In another activity, Angelo Lynn is an IBM employee and 2007 YMCA Black Achiever who has led a team of software engineers who are working through the Citizen Schools after-school program with middle school students in Lowell.

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