Why I Give
The reason why Manulife Financial has supported
United Way since 1947
Manulife employees and United Way Spirit Award winners, Karren Phair-Harvey (left) and Lena Capone, June 2007.
The philosophy of giving is deeply ingrained in the culture of Manulife Financial, having developed over the course of the company’s 120-year history. United Way is a big part of that philanthropy, with annual campaigns dating back as early as 1947.
“Manulife has been involved with United Way since the beginning,” says Sarah Saso, Manulife’s Director of Community Relations. “We recognize that we have a responsibility to support and nurture the community in which we live and work, to help to make it as healthy as it can be.”
Under the banner “Because we live here,” last year’s campaign at Manulife’s Corporate Head office once again surpassed expectations by raising more than $1.5 million for United Way, thanks to Manulife’s doubling the impact of employee donations through matching funds. Two employees, Karren Phair- Harvey and Lena Capone, won the 2006 Spirit Award for Canvassers of the Year, recognized for more than 10 years of hard work spearheading the canvassing efforts at the Toronto office, where last year their team of canvassers numbered 150.
But while the campaign fundraising is essential, Manulife takes it a step further. The company’s approach to giving has evolved over its long history to the forging of deep relationships with charities, including ground-level voluntarism and a commitment to long-term partnerships for maximum impact. For example, each year Manulife participates in the Sponsored Employee program at United Way, paying the salaries of two selected Manulife employees for 15 weeks while they work out of the United Way offices. These Manulife employees lend their skills and talents to the campaign in return for the opportunity to diversify their skills and see first-hand the positive results of United Way’s work.
“It’s just not about chequebook philanthropy anymore,” says Sarah. “It’s about getting our employees involved and engaged in the community, not just handing over the big cheque and walking away.”