Last April, Symantec launched Take 5, a global volunteering program that challenged employees across Symantec to offer five hours of service to make a positive impact in the communities in which they live and work. The challenge will help Symantec reach our goal of completing an average of four hours per employee by 2020.
Rolling up their Sleeves to Make a Difference
Our employees took this challenge to heart, rolling up their sleeves to benefit nonprofits around the world. In FY16, more than 1,500 employees participated in Take 5 with 900+ completing the full challenge, recording at least five hours and earning their Take 5 jacket.
But that’s not all. In FY16, globally employees volunteered more than 28,000 hours helping nearly 2,000 nonprofits achieve their goals. An impressive 42 percent of the employee volunteer hours were listed as skills-based/pro bono, signifying time spent providing technical expertise and skills including board service, website design, accounting support and other talents and services that help strengthen nonprofit organizations from the inside out. Additionally, the causes that employees selected include a range of causes from educational programs to environmental efforts, health-related programs to disaster relief and diversity groups.
Beyond the hours Symantec employees volunteered, Symantec donated more than $220,000 USD this fiscal year through the company’s Dollars for Doers Grant program, which awards a $15 USD donation per volunteer hour that an employee logs (up to $1,000 USD per year). Employees also get an additional $1,000 USD of matching for their personal charitable donations to qualified organizations through our Matching Grant program.
Looking Ahead
In FY17, Symantec has a great opportunity to not only continue these efforts, but to expand the program’s impact—giving back in new ways and benefiting even more organizations around the world.
This year, take 5 will continue with new volunteer opportunities and rewards, and Symantec's first Global Service Week. Global Service Week encourages business units, departments, and sites to unite together to take part in volunteer activities that benefit their local communities.
Additionally, this year's challenge will see an increased focus on virtual volunteering opportunities, which offer the flexibility to give back from one's home or office, as well as volunteering in small increments of time.
Recently our Norton Sales and Marketing and Enterprise Security Sales Leadership teams worked with Career Village, answering more than 500 students’ questions, many of whom do not have access to guidance counselors or working professionals. Through this and similar virtual volunteer efforts, Symantec teams have an opportunity to impact and inspire thousands (possibly millions) all over the globe.
We are extremely proud of the truly global impact made by our volunteers and look forward to continuing Take 5 this year!