BC Business
KPMG is passionate about strengthening relationships with its communities, and recognizes that the opportunity to have a positive impact extends beyond client work. KPMG believes that its employees must take an active role with organizations and issues that they are passionate about. KPMG is one of United Way of the Lower Mainland’s top contributors. In 2012 KPMG in the Greater Vancouver area was presented with a United Way Spirit Award in the category of Greatest Impact by a Large Organization. This award recognizes organizations with the highest financial contributions and employee participation rates during the annual United Way fundraising campaign. In 2013, United Way also recognized KPMG with a Thanks a Million Award, an honour given to organizations that fundraise over $1 million. So why does KPMG run United Way campaigns? “Our United Way accomplishments have helped to empower our people to support organizations and issues that they are passionate about and affect social change in our community,” says Jonathan Kallner, regional managing partner at KPMG in Greater Vancouver.
“The United Way campaign has fostered tremendous team building and collaboration with staff of all levels in our office,” adds Cara Siska, senior manager at KPMG and a United Way campaign leader. United Way uses a unique model to fundraise, engaging and enabling workplaces to run fundraising campaigns to benefit the community. In 2012, 775 workplaces ran fundraising campaigns for United Way in the Lower Mainland, helping to raise $29.5 million. Every workplace campaign is different and is often shaped around an organization’s culture. Setting up and running a campaign is simple and United Way helps every step of the way. There are many benefits for an organization that runs a United Way campaign. For the employees: – Focusing an organization towards a common goal helps energize employees, build morale and increase teamwork. Employees are provided with an easy way to get involved and help tackle their community’s needs—and receive tax benefits – Employees learn about what social service agencies are available to help families, friends, neighbours and themselves. – Employees who chair their United Way campaign gain professional development experience and build confidence. And for the organization: – United Way can help an organization meet its corporate philanthropy goals and provide opportunities for its employees to get involved. – It is a smart investment. United Way provides the most efficient and effective way to make a difference in our community, by maximizing donors’ dollars through the depth and breadth of partnerships and associations. Employees can give with confidence. – Market research shows that customers are more likely to purchase goods and services from organizations that support their local community. For more information, visit www.ulwm.ca