In 2013, the CH2M HILL Foundation re-launched with an updated mission and employee-directed governance structure, and introduced new programs, policies, and guiding principles. The Foundation Board of Directors reported that its efforts have made 2013 a banner year, making corporate philanthropy more strategic, global, and effective.

Launched a strategic grant making initiative – To support CH2M HILL’s corporate objectives in the global marketplace, the Foundation announced three strategic giving pillars: STEM Education, Environmental Stewardship, and Employee Engagement. As a result, several significant milestones were reached, including:

  • Awarded 30 strategic grants totaling US$604,800 to organizations focused on environmental stewardship and STEM education.
  • Globalized giving by awarding six strategic grants outside of the U.S. in four of CH2M HILL’s five international regions.
    • Let’s Talk Science in Canada
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    • Social Mobility Foundation in UK

    • Oikos Red Ambiental in Argentina
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    • ADECO in Mexico

    • Queensland University of Technology in Australia

    • Habitat for Humanity International in Philippines
  • Appointed three new employee Board members: Judith Ibarra-Bianchetta, Didier Menard, and Rachel White.
  • Hired full-time Executive Director Ellen Sandberg and Program Manager Tessa Anderson at CH2M HILL headquarters for daily Foundation management.
  • Established a public, deadline-driven online grant system for not-for-profit organizations — a first-time process that allows the Foundation to fund organizations that best align with its mission and the firm’s geographic footprint, and also demonstrate meaningful impact.
  • Leveraged Foundation grant making to support employee engagement, branding, and relationship building with key stakeholders where donations were invested.
  • Published the CH2M HILL Foundation blog to share the inspiring stories of grant recipients and how employees give back.

Rewarded employee engagement – While the Foundation refocused its mission to support external not-for-profit organizations advancing STEM education and environmental stewardship, it also remained true to its roots of empowering our employees to make a difference:

  • Streamlined the Employee Action Grant (EAG) program, resulting in the highest utilization rates in the program’s 4-year history.
  • Awarded 159 grants totaling US$130,250 to benefit 141 organizations.
  • Globalized giving by awarding 31 grants in Canada, Europe, and Latin America.
  • Recorded a record-setting 18,907 hours of volunteer service from employees in 82 offices.

Strengthened our strategic partnerships – The Foundation continued support for the Employee Travel Grants program that funds travel and project expenses for employees who volunteer their technical expertise in support of our strategic partnerships (listed below):

  • Engineers Without Borders USA: Awarded US$75,000 in employee travel grants to 18 employees who helped with infrastructure projects in 17 developing communities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
  • Water For People: Awarded U.S. $30,000 in employee travel grants to 11 employees — a 100 percent increase over 2012 — who supported World Water Corps projects in four countries: Bolivia, India, Malawi, and Rwanda.

Responded to natural disasters

  • US $20,000 to American Red Cross, matching US$58,000 from 500 employee donations for Philippines Typhoon relief.
  • US$10,000 to Mile High Red Cross to support Colorado wildfire relief.