bigBang! 2011 to Spotlight Five Corporate Social Responsibility “All-Stars” : Chosen CSRs will represent bigBang! SERVE Track
DALLAS – May 5, 2011 – Corporate accountability, integrity and action truly matter to consumers and to employees. On June 16th in Dallas, five exemplary Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs will be spotlighted on the bigBang! Pitch Stage as a part of The SERVE track. bigBang! is a one-day event, produced by Dallas Social Venture Partners (DSVP). It brings together innovative CSRs, nonprofit groups, investors, socially conscious businesses, philanthropists, foundations and social entrepreneurs for maximum social impact.
SERVE will not only explore what CSR means for companies today, but also unique social innovations that blend their core competencies with the needs of the community. This track was reviewed by professionals in the DFW Corporate Citizenship Network to bring to fresh thinking to programs, engaging employees and delivering a high return on community investments.
“By shining the spotlight on these CSR ‘All Stars,’ we hope that bigBang! inspires other corporate entities to follow suit by starting CSR programs of their own,” said Stacy Caldwell, President of Dallas Social Venture Partners.
The following local companies have been chosen for recognition during bigBang! 2011:
Mary Kay is one of the world’s largest direct selling companies with more than $2.5 billion in annual wholesale sales and more than 2 million people of all backgrounds selling Mary Kay in more than 35 countries around the world. Mary Kay was founded in 1963 by Mary Kay Ash with the goal of enriching women’s lives and on the principle of the Golden Rule—treat others as you would like to be treated. She emphasized the importance of giving back. That’s why Mary Kay is committed to changing the lives of women and children around the world. It’s part of the Mary Kay heritage. In the U.S. Mary Kay is focused on preventing and ending the horrific cycle of domestic violence. For nearly 50 years, Mary Kay has remained committed to doing well by doing good. Some know it as Corporate Social Responsibility. Mary Kay calls it “Pink Changing Lives.”
PepsiCo Food for Good! PepsiCo is a unique innovator in the CSR space, combining the entrepreneurial talent of their employees and social business issues such as childhood hunger. This summer, PepsiCo will oversee distribution of 500,000 meals to children at risk in Dallas and Chicago, touching some of the 19 million children nationwide who depend on government subsidized meal programs. PepsiCo’s program is a creative way to engage local nonprofits, government and the passion of the PepsiCo associates.
Texas Instruments believes that strong companies build strong communities, and strong communities build strong companies – this belief that started with TI founders more than 80 years ago and continues in TI locations around the world today. TI’s commitment to building a better future is ingrained in everything TI does in the communities it serves — making sustainable contributions to society, investing to improve education and giving back as leaders and volunteers.
Time Warner Cable’s (TWC) Connect a Million Minds (CAMM) is a five-year, $100 million cash and in-kind philanthropic initiative designed to address America’s declining proficiency in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), which puts our children at risk of not competing successfully in a global economy. Using its media assets, TWC creates awareness of the issue and inspires students to develop the STEM skills they need to become the problem solvers of tomorrow.
Travelocity is committed to the belief, “Better travel, better world.” The company feels that travel is the lifeblood that connects nations, people and businesses and the gift of travel comes with a responsibility. In 2006, this Sabre Holdings company founded its groundbreaking Travel for Good® program, which seeks to make the world a better place, one trip at a time. Every year Travelocity awards eight $5,000 Travel for Good volunteer vacation grants to deserving Americans who have demonstrated long-term commitments to community service. To date, the company has sponsored more than 50 people who combined have donated more than 2,000 hours to destinations in need around the world.
The SERVE track is co-chaired by George Ellis, Chief Financial Officer of Global 360, Inc., a leading supplier of business process management software. Previously, he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SoftBrands, Inc., Chief Financial Officer of Sterling Software, Inc., Chief Financial Officer and Founder of Sterling Commerce, Inc., a spin-off of Sterling Software, and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Communities Foundation of Texas. From 1996 through 1999, he was a full time law student and business consultant, providing consulting services to various technology-related companies. He is a member of the Boards of Directors of Blackbaud, Inc., and Liquidity Services, Inc. and serves on Advisory Boards of Building Communities Workshop and The Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance. He is an active partner with Dallas Social Venture Partners and the co-author of “The Little Green Book of Venture Philanthropy”. George is a visiting lecturer on entrepreneurship in the social sector at the University of Texas at Dallas.
Along with George, Trisha Cunningham co-chairs the SERVE track. As Chief Citizenship Officer of Texas Instruments, Trisha strives to positively impact the communities where TI operates through strategic philanthropy, education, employee involvement and corporate social responsibility programs that support TI’s business goals. In addition to her public affairs role, she has over 20 years experience managing global communications and marketing initiatives including corporate communications, marketing and business communications that increased awareness, consideration and preference for TI products and services. She is a founder of the Dallas Fort Worth Corporate Citizenship Network – a self-managed group formed to share best practices and encourage companies with similar interests to work together on key community issues. She serves on the board of trustees for the Foundation for Women’s Resources, the Volunteer Center of North Texas where she chairs the Student Engagement Programs committee and formerly of Girls Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas. She also serves on the advisory board for the University of Texas at Dallas Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Marketing Council, the President’s Advisory Council of the AT&T Performing Arts Center and was on the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee.
Along with SERVE, the bigBang! 2011 Pitch Stage will feature innovators from three additional Cause Tracks: EMPOWER (issues affecting women and girls), NOURISH (ventures with an emphasis on local food) and TEACH (initiatives impacting our citizens and their opportunity to learn).
All of the innovators will receive expert coaching and will employ tactics from the world of venture capital fundraising to make sure their “ask” is on target and well-delivered so that it hits home with an audience that is ready to help them put their plans into motion.
Details: bigBang! 2011
When: Thursday, June 16, 2011 9am – 5pm
Where: Union Station, 400 S. Houston St., Dallas, TX 75202
Who: Innovative nonprofit groups and socially conscious businesses, investors, philanthropists, foundations and social entrepreneurs
Why: 4 Causes + 20 Social Innovators x 1 Pitch Stage = Maximum Social Impact. bigBang! 2011 will offer a marketplace for individuals, foundations and businesses to window-shop and bump into the most innovative nonprofits and social entrepreneurs in our region creating an optimum environment for doing good in North Texas.
How to Attend: Visit www.bigbangtx.org to register and get more information.
About bigBANG!
bigBANG! is a forum hosted by Dallas Social Venture Partners that brings together innovative nonprofit groups, investors, socially conscious businesses, philanthropists, foundations and social entrepreneurs. bigBang! strives to create positive impact in the Dallas-area and beyond through networking and the sharing of ideas and experiences.
About DSVP
DSVP is a partnership of professionals, social entrepreneurs and foundations who are committed to strengthening our community through the thoughtful application of collective dollars and business expertise. DSVP is comprised of 123 partners and works with a current portfolio of nine nonprofit investments to create positive social impact. For additional information, please call (214) 855-5520 or visit www.dsvp.org.
