Reynolds and Reynolds
How does helping others factor into the culture of your business?
Giving back to the community has been ingrained in Reynolds’ culture for over 65 years through the Reynolds Associate Foundation. Created in 1956, it is now the longest standing associate-run charitable foundation in the United States. Managed by an all-associate board of trustees, the foundation meets four times a year to review grant requests and disburse funds based on associate feedback. We also donate our time through several volunteer opportunities throughout the year. These opportunities give associates a chance to meet new coworkers, do a little manual labor and grow their sense of company pride.
Please share with us the causes that are important to you and your business.
Reynolds donates to a wide variety of organizations in eight counties surrounding the Dayton, Ohio, area and at our other major locations. Some of the most notable organizations we work with year after year include: Ronald McDonald House, located near the Dayton Children’s Hospital – Associates sign up several times a year to go to the Dayton Ronald McDonald House and prepare a full dinner for residents. Habitat for Humanity – Associates annually build the wooden frames of two houses at headquarters in Dayton. The receiving families of these homes also build too, so associates can meet who their hard work is going to.
Kettering Parks Foundation – The annual associate hockey game takes place in Kettering, Ohio, and serves as a fundraiser for this foundation, which provides financial assistance to the conservation and improvement of public outdoor space, as well as the implementation of cultural, recreational and educational enrichment programs. National MS Society – Each year, associates participate in the MS150 Bike Ride, a two-day fundraiser bike ride from Houston to College Station, Texas. All proceeds go toward the ultimate goal – a world free of multiple sclerosis.
How do you encourage your team members to get involved?
Volunteer and donation opportunities are regularly communicated to all associates through email, posters around the office and word of mouth. Word of mouth is particularly powerful and associates are encouraged to tell their coworkers about their experience so more volunteers sign up the next time around. Associates also have the option to do a direct donation to the Associate Foundation through payroll deduction, meaning a determined amount automatically comes out of every paycheck. Associates who sign up to do this are often enrolled in giveaways for seasonal gift baskets and gift cards. Results and photos of each event are always shared after the fact so associates can see the fun that was had. Whether it’s their first day or 40th year at Reynolds, associates are able to join the fun of giving back to our community.
What do you look for in a cause to determine if you will get involved? What advice can offer to others?
The Associate Foundation looks for organizations that fall in one of several categories, including animal welfare, homelessness, care for the elderly, youth at risk, veteran care and others. Each organization submits a grant request where they can give background on their organization, the program this grant will go toward and specific details on the impact this grant will have. When an organization is passionate about the work they do, it is clear in how they write their grant request. Finding those organizations who combine clarity with passion are the ones that catch our attention.
If other companies aren’t giving associates ways to give back to the community, our advice would be to start now! Associates blow us away every year with how much they are willing to donate in time and money to these incredibly deserving organizations. There is a passion for charitable work at Reynolds and Reynolds, but we know that is likely true for all companies. If you give your associates an avenue for giving back, it will only solidify their pride in the company they work for.