In mid-June 2010, Community in Action (CiA) established its first corporate sponsorship with CSC, a leading global technology consulting firm: www.csc.com. CSC has 94,000 employees worldwide, serving clients in more than 90 countries, with a reported revenue of $16.1 billion in April 2010. The company is currently expanding operations in Brazil and building upon its already-established corporate social responsibility (CSR) program. As CSC moves into the Brazilian market, its objective is to provide social services to local underserved communities (many of which exist in Rio de Janeiro). Community in Action will strive to play a key role in this effort.
Kreab Gavin Anderson (KGA) www.kreabgavinanderson.com, a global public relations consulting firm, contacted Community in Action in April 2010. KGA is currently working with CSC stakeholders to develop corporate social responsibility strategies in Brazil. After learning about Community in Action’s mission and low grassroots overhead, KGA connected a CSC leadership team with CiA. CSC decided to move forward with a strategic private-public partnership.
Furthermore, CSC is working with Kreab Gavin Anderson to expand its Corporate Social Responsibility department. This department will examine opportunities to invest in Brazil’s underserved communities, as the company expands in the Brazilian market. The long-term goal is to direct resources that have a positive impact on society. Harriet Mouchly-Weiss, the Vice Chairman at Kreab Gavin Anderson, has established herself as a trusted advisor to heads of government, senior government ministers, and CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. Currently, she’s working directly with CSC. In May 2010, Harriet visited Community in Action and has been a key partner supporting this initial launch. Click this link to read more about Harriet’s work with Private Public Partnerships (PPPs): http://www.ipra.org/frontlinedetail.asp?articleid=1837
Community in Action is very excited to begin this relationship with CSC. Over the next six months, CiA will conduct an in-depth baseline study and examine NGOs throughout the region to form part of the CiA – CSC NGO Alliance program. After this initial assessment, Community in Action will act as a consulting intermediary between CSC and other NGOs in Rio. With local relationships, a structured administrative foundation, and proven track record, CiA will connect CSC to grassroots ventures in one of the city’s largest underserved regions. We will not only help direct additional resources to social initiatives in the favelas, but we will provide consulting and program management services, ensuring that funds reach those most in need.
If you are interested in reading the CiA NGO Alliance Program proposal, please send an email to: info@communityinaction.org