Tech Citizenship
2007
19 Tech Companies That Give Back to the Community
Shire HGT shares its good will
Cotrone
When Transkaryotic Therapies Inc. was purchased for $1.6 billion in 2005 by England’s Shire plc, the resulting business unit, Shire Human Genetic Therapies (HGT), continued giving back to the New England community without a hitch.
The company targets such needs as science education, affordable housing and poverty. Among those areas of giving, Shire HGT spokeswoman Jessica Cotrone had particularly high praise for the Greater Boston Food Bank.
“It’s just such an institution in Boston, and they do such great work,” Cotrone said. “You can see how much of an effect they have on families.”
Shire also targets its giving to science education.
The Biomedical Science Careers Program at Harvard Medical School gives underrepresented minority students an introduction to careers in the biomedical field. This helps not only the students, but Shire as well.
“We are always looking for future employees and always looking to recruit,” Cotrone said.
Shire has found it easy to do good in the region — especially if such help goes beyond the financial.
“There are so many organizations that need help, need advice — it doesn’t have to be money, but time and knowledge,” she said.
Shire’s employees help point to groups in need of help, and the company rewards its people with paid time off to volunteer. And that pays off in a big, albeit personal, way, Cotrone says.
“People who are volunteering get as much out of it, if not more, than the organizations. It’s really small hours, but personally the ROI is outrageous.”
Citizenship Facts
Shire HGT
Total cash contributions in New England in 2006: $3,200,000
Number of volunteer hours in New England in 2006: 400
In-kind contributions of equipment and services in New England: $1,000
Principal recipients of charitable activities in 2006: Biomedical Science Careers Program; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; WGBH; Habitat for Humanity
Interesting philanthropic activities: A senior researcher at Shire HGT participated in an Earthwatch expedition in Ecuador, South America, during the summer. Each year, Shire HGT sponsors the Frank Iovieno Caring for Children Foundation. Caring for Children helps kids across the Interstate 90 corridor from Boston to Albany who are either infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS.
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