Driven to make a positive impact on patients and communities globally, Genzyme takes a diversified approach to philanthropy, combining in-kind contributions and volunteerism with direct financial support. Giving takes place at all levels of our company, ranging from large corporate donations, to cash grants distributed by specific departments, to the generosity of our individual employees. We view our support as more than just financial contributions, but also opportunities to establish meaningful partnerships with those whose values we share and whose actions truly drive change.
Donations In Kind
Businessweek magazine has ranked Genzyme as one of the corporate world's top "in-kind givers – that is, those who donated products and skills." In 2010 we donated $75 million worth of our products for free, plus thousands of hours of our scientists' time for humanitarian research.
Through our grant-making program, Genzyme distributes millions of dollars in grants and donations each year to a wide array of recipients around the world. Our largest corporate donations often go toward major initiatives in science or health care by museums, research institutions, and global humanitarian organizations. Various divisions throughout Genzyme also review proposals and fund many types of grants, including research fellowships, event sponsorships, community group funding, and more.
Feature Story
The Museum of Science, Boston
Building on a longstanding partnership with this Boston institution, Genzyme regularly funds - and actively collaborates on - exhibits and programs to promote science and biotechnology education.
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Here are a few of Genzyme's larger areas of focus in grants and giving.
As part of our commitment to expanding medical knowledge and improving standards of health care worldwide, Genzyme distributes many grants and charitable contributions to hospitals, research institutions, disease organizations, and medical education programs. Funded by our Medical Affairs and Science organizations, these grants target efforts in our areas of disease and therapeutic focus. We also have a program to fund research initiated by outside scientists whose work aligns with our areas of interest.
Genzyme's Community Relations group is dedicated to supporting the communities in which we operate around the world. To that end, it extends grants to non-profit organizations focused on science education, health care, and other community needs in areas of the U.S. where Genzyme has a business presence. In 2010 we awarded over $545,000 in Community Relations grants to 50 organizations.
Grant recipients include health and education-focused non-profit organizations, community and grassroots agencies, and groups that provide broader, multi-community benefits. Our priority is to create sustainable partnerships that can have lasting impact, often by funding the same groups for different programs and initiatives over multiple years.
Genzyme has a history of responding to major humanitarian disasters around the world, providing free treatment and medical supplies to affected patients, participating in relief and rebuilding efforts, and matching our employees' donations to aid organizations. The result has been hundreds of thousands of dollars to help recovery after the 2010 Chile and Haiti earthquakes, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the 2004 Southeast Asian tsunami, and other similarly devastating events.
Here are some highlights of Genzyme's philanthropic efforts across our various categories of giving:
- Haiti Earthquake Relief – In response to this 2010 disaster, Genzyme is donating $450,000 over three years for rebuilding local medical infrastructure and resources. We also contributed $49,000 in addition to the $75,000 donated by our employees to various aid organizations.
- Greater Boston Food Bank – Our $25,000 Community Relations grant to one of the world's largest food banks in 2010 helped fund its new BackPack program, which sends hungry children home with nutritious, easy-to-prepare food for the out-of-school hours.
- Family Reach Foundation – In 2009 a $5,000 grant helped this charity provide housing, medical care and other financial support to families fighting cancer.
- Raising the Blues – Our 2010 Community Relations grant of $9,500 helped this Boston organization fulfill its mission of raising the spirits, abilities, and aspirations of children with unique life experiences.
- EmpowerTech – Our recent $5,000 Community Relations grant for this Los Angeles-based non-profit helps provide computer lab access and teach technology skills to people with disabilities.
- Renal Support Network – Hundreds of teenagers living with kidney disease enjoyed a glamorous, fun-filled night at this non-profit's 2010 "Renal Teen Prom" event, funded in part by a Genzyme grant.
- Cambridge School Volunteers – In 2010 we gave an $11,000 Community Relations grant to support this Massachusetts group's Reading Buddies Program, in which our employees participate by reading one-on-one to first and second grade students throughout the school year.