Employee Involvement and Giving

Dell Employees Working for a Positive Impact

We’re committed to giving back to the communities where we live and work. In fiscal year 2009, Dell, together with its employees and the Dell Foundation, contributed more than $24.5 million to nonprofit organizations globally.

“We value the effort that Dell and its employees make to help the community. It’s a good example for the corporate world.” — Austin nonprofit organization

“We are so appreciative of the opportunity for our organization to be involved with Dell employees. THANK YOU!” — Nashville nonprofit organization

Making a Meaningful Difference Today – Inspiring a Better, Connected Tomorrow

Meaningful difference. Two words; so simple. But what do they truly mean? As a global leader in the industry, we make it our priority to contribute positively to the communities where we live and work. Our approach is based on building lasting relationships with our neighbors and customers and staying in touch with the concerns, issues and desires of our local communities.

It’s about creating change that inspires others. It’s about getting involved and doing what we can, where we can, with the knowledge, skills and innovation that we’re able to offer. We are proud of our contributions and are honored to work with so many gracious and dedicated people around the world to build stronger communities, create a supportive workplace and promote diversity and inclusion inside and outside our workplace.

Our Commitment

Just how serious are we about making a meaningful difference in the community? In 2008, Dell committed to a goal of becoming a 1-percent company. A 1-percent company is one that contributes at least one percent of annual pre-tax profit to charitable organizations. This is an aspirational goal, and we’ve designed our giving program with a strategic approach and a supportive leadership team.

In fiscal year 2009, we increased the amount we gave from 0.42 of annual pre-tax profits to 0.74 percent, an increase of more than $8 million, for a total financial contribution of $24.540 million. In addition to the financial contributions, Dell employees donated 145,000 hours of volunteer time, generating an estimated economic impact of $2.5 million.

What We’re Doing

A highlight of Dell’s new corporate giving strategy is Dell YouthConnect, a program that focuses on improving access to technology and education for youth in emerging countries. Dell YouthConnect was kicked off in early 2009 with grants totaling more than $2.7 million to 11 organizations in Brazil, India and Mexico.

While Dell YouthConnect is a global program, the Dell Foundation continues to provide grants to charitable organizations in the United States. For more than a decade, the Dell Foundation has focused on helping children by equipping them for the digital world. The Foundation aims to proactively address fundamental requirements for children to learn and excel in a connected global economy. Through grants to organizations addressing health and human services, education and technology access, the Foundation assists the primary communities that Dell calls home – Central Texas, Middle Tennessee, Oklahoma and Northwest North Carolina.

In addition to the financial contributions made through Dell YouthConnect and the Dell Foundation, Dell employees are committed to supporting their local communities. The rallying spirit of our employees is a driving force behind our commitment to the community. Through our One Dell: One Community campaign, employees align their passions with a charity of choice and share their talents and time. In fiscal year 2009, more than 36 percent of our global employees participated in September’s Community Involvement Month. Here’s some highlights of how Dell employees have supported their local communities:

• Dell IT employees in Limerick (Ireland) designed and built a Web site for the Limerick branch of Down Syndrome Ireland.
• Dell Bracknell (U.K.) employees rebuilt a wild garden at the Ascot Heath Infant School.
• Dell Malaysia employees raised $65,000 in pledges for the third annual Dell Champion Run/Walk benefitting the Malaysian AIDS Foundation’s Pediatric AIDS Fund.
• Dell employees in Brazil provided social and educational support through the Adopt-a-School program.
• Team Dell raised $102,000 (largest amount for a U.S. team) to help fight cancer through the LIVESTRONG Challenge. 
• Dell employees volunteered for the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon and won the “Most Spirited Award” for the fourth year in a row.
• Dell employees donated more than 14,000 pounds of food and $62,000 to the Can Hunger U.S. food drives.

Dell and its employees understand the need, and importance, of giving back to the community. By improving the lives of others, we are helping to make that meaningful difference around the world.