Tech Citizenship
2008
22 Tech Companies That Give Back to the Community
Boston Scientific boosts health
Donovan
There are two main paths down which Boston Scientific Corp. drives its charitable giving — access to quality health care and education programs for math and science.
The Natick-based medical devices giant sees the first path as a complement to what it does as a business — helping people get what they need for better health care. As a business, that means such things as drug-eluting coronary stents and implantable cardioverter defibrillators. As a supporter of charities, it means reaching out to help groups like Association for the Hearing Impaired Inc. and the Diabetes Society.
Given the company’s focus on cardiac technology, it comes as no surprise that one strongly supported charity is the American Heart Association.
“Cardiovascular disease continues to claim nearly a million lives a year — one life every 34 seconds,” said Paul Donovan, president of Boston Scientific’s philanthropic organization. “Every year across the United States, the American Heart Association holds Heart Walk events in various communities near our facilities to raise awareness and promote the importance of cardiac health. We contribute some of the nation’s largest Heart Walk teams.”
Ultimately, that level of support comes back to companies like Boston Scientific.
“By supporting the AHA, we are helping to raise funds for vital research and education initiatives,” Donovan said.
When it comes to the education path, Boston Scientific focuses its efforts on such places as the University of Massachusetts Boston and the traditionally science and tech-heavy University of Massachusetts Lowell.
Citizenship Facts
Boston Scientific Corp.
Total cash contributions in New England in 2007: $2,161,573
Number of volunteer hours in New England in 2007: Not available
In-kind contributions of equipment and services in New England in 2007: Not available
Principal recipients of charitable activities in 2007: Action for Boston Community Development; Allston Brighton Community Development Corp.; Association for the Hearing Impaired Inc.; Diabetes Society; Girls Inc. of Worcester; University of Massachusetts Boston; University of Massachusetts Lowell
Interesting philanthropic activities: The Boston Scientific Foundation supports programs that improve lives via health and education. Its health-related grants seek to improve the health of individuals with the greatest unmet needs, while its education-related grants seek to improve educational opportunities.



