Most companies have corporate social responsibility objectives, and Junior Achievement (JA) often plays a large role in helping organizations achieve these goals. The days when a company simply wrote a check and had their logo placed anywhere and everywhere are long gone. Today’s partnerships are much more strategic, collaborative and mutually beneficial, and the partnership between Comcast and JA-Rocky Mountain is a great example.
Comcast began supporting JA-Rocky Mountain during the 2011/12 school year, and since that time has contributed nearly $304K in financial and in-kind donations. As one of the top ten corporate supporters of the JA Bowl-A-Thon, Comcast employees raised $56K in 2016 alone.
In 2016, Comcast also collaborated with JA to develop JA Going Global, a program for middle and high school students designed to help them understand what companies go through when they evaluate and consider international growth. Students learn about differences in cultures, economies, geographies, and regulations as they develop skills in critical thinking, analysis, problem solving and public speaking.
Of additional value is the intellectual capital and creativity that Comcast brings to JA. Matt McConnell, senior vice president of Comcast Technology Solutions, and Jeff Allen, senior vice president of Comcast Business, both lend their leadership and professional skills to the JA board of directors. Several Comcast employees also volunteer their time to enrich student learning in K-12 classrooms.
In addition, as the 2016/17 school year kicks off, Comcast will serve as a three-year telecommunications sponsor of JA Finance Park. This opportunity alone allows Comcast to impact more than 20,000 students annually, provide meaningful volunteer opportunities for employees, and strengthen the company’s reputation among JA corporate sponsors, volunteers, community leaders and students.
Given the company’s exceptional commitment to education and to improving communities, it’s no surprise that Comcast NBCUniversal recently was named to the 2016 Civic 50, an initiative of the Points of Light Foundation that recognizes the 50 most community-minded companies in the nation.
“Comcast’s multi-faceted support of JA and the students we serve is remarkable,” said Kristi Shaffer, JA executive vice president. “Beyond traditional financial and volunteer support, they also host job shadow experiences for JA high school students at their offices. And, on Oct. 17, Matt McConnell will host the JA Engage membership event at Comcast Technology Solutions in efforts to inspire more young professionals to volunteer and advocate for JA.
“JA relies on deep and meaningful corporate partnerships – like the one with Comcast – to help reach more than 138,000 K-12 students this school year. We are extremely grateful for all that they do,” added Shaffer.
