Corporate Philanthropy Trending Upwards.

Colorado Companies Encourage Employees to Volunteer Time and Money in the Community

DENVER -- During a recent press conference at Denver's Samaritan House, Charley Shimanski, president and chief executive of the Colorado Nonprofit Association, cited Colorado as one of the least charitable states. But while individual philanthropy may be lower than the national average, some Colorado corporations, like the Denver-based InsureMe Company, are picking up the slack.

InsureMe, an online service, connects people shopping for insurance with local insurance agents who provide insurance quotes. However, the company has a greater focus than just turning a profit. InsureMe purposely gives back to the community with both funding and volunteer hours.

This season InsureMe sponsored seven families who had recently moved out of the SafeHouse Denver shelter by providing baskets of food and King Sooper gift cards. They are also holding a toy drive for children still living in the shelter.

But InsureMe doesn't stop at holiday giving; the company continues their philanthropic efforts throughout the year, serving dinner to Denver's homeless at The Denver Rescue Mission, allotting employees paid time off to volunteer in the community and offering a triple match for employee contributions to Mile High United Way.

"Our mission is to do the right thing, and being involved in the community is one way we do this," said founder and CEO Tim McTavish. "Sharing with those in need has always been important to our company, and we want tour employees to expect this of their employer. As the next wave of workers enters the labor force, we believe a more charitable approach will be required of employers."

At InsureMe, their efforts have not gone unnoticed; the company recently took home the Outstanding Small Business award at National Philanthropy Day in Colorado.

According to the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP), in the past several years, corporate philanthropy has become the rule rather than the exception. The CECP reports corporate giving remained strong in 2006 despite a drop in disaster relief funding. The CECP annual report cites corporate giving increased 4.7 percent in 2006.

And international philanthropy rose from 10 percent in 2004 to 13.5 percent in 2006. This surge speaks to the trend seen at companies like InsureMe that organized and subsidized a mission trip to Ghana, Africa, in 2005 and several trips to Juarez, Mexico, where employees constructed homes for families in need.

McTavish said he is looking forward to continuing InsureMe's humanitarian efforts in 2008, and finding new ways to give back through volunteerism.

Other Colorado Companies that care:

Molson Coors Brewing Company, Alpine Banks of Colorado (won outstanding large company at Colorado Philanthropy Day 2007), Denver Curves Co-op (won outstanding small company at Colorado Philanthropy Day 2006), Hogan & Hartson (won outstanding large company at Colorado Philanthropy Day 2006)

About InsureMe

InsureMe links agents nationwide with consumers shopping for insurance. In 2006 the company received numerous awards for both charitable giving and for best places to work. The awards were presented by organizations such as United Way, Denver Rescue Mission, Leadership Excellence and Working Mother Magazine. InsureMe encourages volunteerism among its employees and has sponsored service trips to Mexico, Russia and Ghana. For more information, visit InsureMe.com.