Tech Citizenship

Shillman

Cognex Inc. applies the old saw “think globally, act locally” to how it handles its charitable efforts.

The Natick machinevision systems company has employee committees in all of its office locations — and each is charged with identifying what non-profits in its own backyard should get the benefit of the company’s philanthropic program.

“Our donations program is targeted specifically to the local communities where our North American offices are located,” said CEO Robert Shillman. “By doing this we are saying ‘thank you’ to the towns that support Cognex with services such as fire and police departments, and in which many of our employees live.”

Cognex has long held that giving philosophy, even when economic times were rocky, as now.

“Even in years when the economy has taken a toll on our growth and success — such as after the Internet bubble burst — we have continued our corporate giving programs, although at a lower level,” Shillman said. “There are always organizations and people who are in need, and, no matter what, we are committed to helping them.”

For Shillman personally, he most enjoyed working with a charity that was both local and focused children. Oh, and it was fun as well, he said.

“The Spooktacular is the annual children’s Halloween party in the town of Natick, where our headquarters is located,” Shillman said. “For years, before I moved to San Diego, they let me serve as master of ceremonies, lead the costume parade and judge the “scream” contest. I had more fun than most of the kids.”

Citizenship Facts

Cognex Corp.

Total cash contributions in New England in 2007: $505,056

Number of volunteer hours in New England in 2007: Not tracked

In-kind contributions of equipment and services in New England in 2007: None of significance

Principal recipients of charitable activities in 2007: Cognex gives to organizations based in the communities where it maintains its North American offices: Natick; Milwaukee, Wis.; Duluth, Ga.; Portland., Ore.; and Alameda, Calif.

Interesting philanthropic activities: Guide Dogs for the Blind, which pays for guide dogs. Operation One Voice, a program to purchase tandem bicycles and pay guides to work with blind veterans. FIRST Robotics, a national competition in which high school teams compete to build and program robots to perform a set of pre-determined tasks. Cognex has supported many teams in its communities around the country.

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