Maryland Companies Honored for Corporate Philanthropy

Share:

Maryland Companies Honored for Corporate Philanthropy

The Maryland Chamber of Commerce and Baltimore Business Journal awarded the Maryland Business Philanthropy Awards today during the annual Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) – Maryland Chapter Philanthropy Day Luncheon in Baltimore. The awards program honored four businesses, whose philanthropic efforts have made Maryland a better place to live, work and do business.

“This awards program provides well deserved recognition to businesses that not only provide jobs and pay taxes, but who also support a wide variety of educational, health-related, homeless and youth activities in our neighborhoods,” said Sheela Murthy, Vice Chair of the Maryland Chamber and President of Murthy Law Firm.

This year’s winners are:

Small Employer Winner (100 or fewer employees)

Chesapeake Environmental Management

The company has built its philanthropic program on critical community needs such as education and health. Five percent of its profits are donated each year to nonprofit organizations, including Boys and Girls Club of Harford County, Chesapeake Therapeutic Riding, Habitat for Humanity, Kennedy Krieger Institute and more. Chesapeake Environmental Management recently contributed neo-puffs to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Sinai Hospital to help the smallest of patients breathe.  Julie Cox of LifeBridge Health, who nominated the company, said “During the past year, this small organization has provided more than $75,000 in monetary donations and many man hours to helping make its community a better place to live and work.”

 

Mid-Size Employer Winner (101 to 500 employees) 

Chesapeake Employers’ Insurance Fund (formerly IWIF)

For nearly 100 years, the company has been an exceptional community partner with organizations such as Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Greater Baltimore Urban League, Healthcare for the Homeless, Living Classrooms and more. Cash donations over the past year totaled $200,000, with additional in-kind donations of $15,000 more. One of the charities supported by this employer is the Franciscan Center who noted the company has provided “countless hours of volunteer service – both on the food line and other program areas – and in the board room”. In fact, Chesapeake Employers’ Insurance Fund raised $400,000 in cash and in-kind donations to support the Franciscan Center alone.

 

Mid-Size Employer Winner (101 to 500 employees) 

Merritt Properties 

Merritt Properties consistently ranks among the most philanthropic corporations in the Baltimore area by the Baltimore Business Journal. In 2012, this company gave a total of $1.2 million in cash and in-kind donations to various charities including the Salvation Army, Maryland Food Bank, House of Ruth, CASA and more.  Its employees donated 3,149 hours through several community service days and by service on a number of local nonprofit boards. In a letter of support, Jon Fichman of The Samaritan Women expressed gratitude for the annual $11,000 grant this company provides as well as for the 15 employees who spent two entire days helping with renovations, construction and maintenance on a 2.5 acre urban farm.

 

Large Employer Winner (More than 500 employees) 

BGE

For nearly 200 years, BGE has played an integral role in helping its communities address economic, public safety, civic and other issues.  Whether it be through programs like KaBoom! that resulted in a new playground for twelve hundred kids or its new Green Grants program to help 501(c)(3)s focus on conservation, education, and pollution prevention, BGE has long been an exemplary corporate citizen at every level.  In 2013, the company has contributed $2.4 million to 186 nonprofits in its service area. In addition, the company’s employees have provided more than 18,000 man hours of volunteering with more than 60 community organizations. Mark Furst of United Way of Central Maryland said “They embrace the philosophy that corporate vitality depends on the well-being of the communities they serve. Through thoughtful social investments of time and money, BGE has strived to enhance the quality of life where their employees, customers and families live.”

 

This is the 13th year the Maryland Chamber of Commerce and Baltimore Business Journal have partnered to present the Maryland Business Philanthropy Awards. All Maryland-based businesses that have made a positive contribution to Maryland residents through financial support, in-kind donations or volunteer efforts were eligible for nomination. A panel of business and community leaders judge the nominees based on the extent of the service provided to the community, the impact on the community and the commitment the business has shown to the community over time. Judges also take into consideration the size of the business relative to their corporate giving.