FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Staples Foundation, the private charitable arm of Staples, Inc., today announced it awarded more than $2.4 million as part of a grant program that offers global associates the opportunity to choose which local charities to support. The foundation has provided grants to local non-profit organizations based on recommendations from Staples associates for the past three years through its 2 Million and Change international philanthropic initiative.
In 2014, over 9,000 Staples associates from around the world participated in 2 Million and Change. Staples awarded grants to 1,056 local organizations in support of education and job skills programs, including tutoring for pediatric cancer patients, job skills development for individuals with disabilities, school supplies, mentoring and more.
This annual program encourages community engagement in the U.S. by awarding larger grants to organizations where associates are engaged in volunteering or fundraising – up to $25,000 per organization. Last year, Staples’ 2 Million and Change supported 990 domestic organizations in 47 states, including:
- Cradles to Crayons, $25,000 (MA)
- John Andrew Mazie Memorial Foundation, $25,000 (MA)
- Read to a Child, $25,000 (MA)
- Horizons for Homeless Children, $10,000 (MA)
- Next Step, $10,000 (MA)
- Special Olympics Massachusetts, $10,000 (MA)
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, $7,500 (GA)
- Columbia Urban League, Inc., $7,500 (SC)
- Crayons to Computers, $7,500 (OH)
- I Have a Dream Foundation-Los Angeles, $7,500 (CA)
“Staples Foundation is committed to encouraging associates around the globe to make a difference in their local communities and through 2 Million and Change we enable them to directly support the programs where they personally see the greatest need,” said Katy Dobbs, director of global community and giving for Staples, Inc. “We are thrilled to see more associates participating in this program every year, and we’re proud to help them support the charities they care about most.”
About Staples Community and Giving
Staples contributes to
educational and job-related community efforts with a primary focus on
disadvantaged youth, from literacy and mentoring to career skills
development, through in-kind and monetary donations and grants from
Staples Foundation, the private charitable arm of Staples, Inc. Through
its community and giving efforts, Staples and Staples Foundation have
helped more than 7,000 organizations in 26 countries. For more
information, visit www.staples.com/community.
