Corporate Social Responsibility
It's not every day you see a group of Intel employees running around a bowling alley with 10-year-old children in the middle of a work day. In the past few months, scenes such as these have become increasingly common, both here at Bakehila and on an international level, as major corporations and NGO's join forces.
Corporate-NGO partnerships are no longer based solely on a financial transaction, as is commonly believed. In a growing and prevalent trend, companies are using their differing skills and resources to work towards shared objectives and values with non-profit organizations. Using terms such as “Corporate Social Responsibility” (CSR) and “Corporate Giving”, corporations are consciously making the effort to contribute to society, providing the platform and encouraging their employees to volunteer with their local communities in various ways, and to give of themselves within the NGO framework. These partnerships serve to provide monetary donations, as well as other mutually beneficial forms of support in order to address social problems together, from local communities to aiding international need.
Bakehila, a non-profit organization, was itself originally founded based on a corporate-NGO relationship, by business-minded MK Erel Margalit. As founder of JVP (Jerusalem Venture Partners) MK Margalit has reformed the economic landscape of Jerusalem and built and strengthened countless Israeli start-ups over the past 25 years. JVP and Bakehila share the vision of a revitalized Jerusalem and continue to work together closely on multiple levels. Top JVP professionals advise Bakehila on matters of strategy and resource development as well as provide an annual grant covering approximately 20% of Bakehila’s budget.
In addition to a professional relationship, JVP also maintains direct contact with Bakehila’s children and communities, sharing holiday parties and periodically providing content pieces to Bakehila programming such as visits to JVP’s headquarters and talks with their company leaders. Just recently, Principal at JVP, Yonatan Machado, demonstrated to a group of children participating in a Bakehila “learning marathon”, what it means to be a Venture Capital. Using simple role play and a smart phone as a tool, Yonatan inspired the kids to turn their dreams into reality. "Ok, I have a great start-up idea, let's begin!" responded Yael, age 11.
Bakehila and Intel have formed a relationship fueled by Bakehila’s goal to expose underserved children to possibilities and various career opportunities, such as the ever-growing world of high-tech, together with Intel’s interest in strengthening local Jerusalem communities. Intel's volunteer program, "Intel Involved" promotes both "goodwill and good business" by identifying worthwhile opportunities for individual volunteers and team projects for Intel employees.
Some of the shared experiences and volunteering events between Intel and Bakehila so far have been the renovation of a Learning and Enrichment Center (where Bakehila’s children spend their afternoons working on homework in small groups and enjoying extra-curricular activities), an educational-humorous science show, and all sorts of fun social activities such as a Hanukkah fair and bowling. Additionally, the volunteers spend time getting to know the children, and applying their knowledge and skills to share advanced technology in an interactive and dynamic way, that involves the children and broadens their horizons. "Avichai kept asking me to explain what Intel is!" said Tom Hoffen, of Intel's firmware team, "I tried my best to make high-tech sound interesting to him."
Bakehila hopes to help its children, roughly 3,000 served each year, eventually break out of the cycle of psychological poverty.In each of these unique meet-ups, Bakehila's children are exposed to a world of new opportunities and role models, inspiring them to dream big and to aim towards higher achievement. "Now my name is on both screens, like magic!" said ten-year-old David, enthusiastically, following an interactive presentation by Intel at a bowling activity.
In addition to Bakehila’s steadfast relationship with JVP and the newly formed partnership with Intel, Bakehila has also received contributions from other corporations such as CyberArk, Bank Leumi, Bank Hapoalim and Bezeq, and is seeking to develop these relationships to expand beyond grant-giving.
Not only communities and NGO’s benefit from such partnerships. "It felt good to see how excited the kids were to see the newly renovated learning center," said Dov Gropper, Senior Engineer at Intel, "We could literally feel the effect our actions were going to have on them."
Corporations can enjoy advantages such as reduction in tax benefits and improved company image, but most importantly, company employees come away feeling fulfilled and invigorated, as they learn to give back together.
Chen Elimelech, Software Developer at Intel told us, "Volunteering demanded something simple from us - an afternoon to play bowling with some kids. But as soon as I met the kids, I saw how a small effort from us can be so significant for them. And being a part of that makes me happy."
