community relations

For a company as influential as Intel, it seems obvious that they would dedicate a portion of their money and expertise to enhance the community. But when I looked into Intel's Corporate Responsibility section of their website, I was moderately shocked at just how much they were giving back. Intel tackles a lot of different aspects within their community involvement -- with two main focuses. The first is the Intel Foundation, which is organized to further literacy education worldwide. They use monetary grants to promote math and science education and sponsor numerous math and science fairs both in the United States and internationally. They have numerous scholarship programs -- too many to name -- and they have donated millions of dollars worth of computer supplies to schools. The second main focus of the Intel's community relations program is called Intel in Your Community. They have programs about community giving, which focuses on donating money to non-profits. They also have an organization called "Intel Involved" which is centered around volunteering and community service. Additionally, the site emphasizes the communities in which Intel is located - be it a test plant, or manufacturing facility, or lab -- those communities are where Intel volunteers do their strongest community service efforts. It is without question that Intel's community relations program is supporting the mission of the company. They stated clearly that their mission is to "enhance lives around the world in the community by accelerating access to advanced technology". With their donations to schools and communities and their emphasis on technological literacy and math and science education, it is obvious that their corporate responsibility focus is directly tied to further the mission of the company. They go on to mention that they hope to be an "asset to communities worldwide". By donating money to non-profits and disaster relief efforts and volunteering time and expertise within the communities where employees live and work, I know that Intel is truly becoming irreplaceable to the global community.
As I stated before, I am impressed and surprised by the overwhelming emphasis that Intel puts on their community relations. For a company which has no direct product -- you can't go into a store and purchase an Intel printer or computer -- they sure are donating a lot of time and money to international causes. I have no doubt that this significantly enhances the company's reputation. As far as public relations is concerned, the amount of time and money that Intel is donating to the global community is extremely valuable to the company. At science and math fairs, you see Intel. In classrooms and universities, you see Intel. At disaster relief efforts and non-profit organizations, you see Intel. Intel is constantly registered as a generous, community-conscious company who donates time and money to the community. What better PR could you ask for?! Despite their extreme generosity to multiple causes, I kind of wish Intel would streamline their community relations efforts. They have scholarships, matching grant foundations, disaster relief support, school grants, an educational foundation, employee giving, skill based volunteering, team community service projects and even a science museum. Even after researching their corporate responsibility program for hours, I still haven't found everything! Don't get me wrong, I don't think that Intel should cut any of the work their doing, and it is obvious that they can afford to donate as much as they do. My suggestion is just to simplify their community relations efforts. Instead of having countless different community service programs, have one key focus. That way, not only will it be easier to understand their corporate responsibility plan, but consumers will be certain that Intel is not spreading themselves too thin. The more unified and simple their community relations program is, the more valuable and rich their donations will be.

Signing off... Literally,
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