Cause Marketing/Corporate Partnerships

AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) announced that Clear Channel Communications has exceeded the one-million dollar mark in philanthropic giving to the Los Angeles-based AIDS service organization. The announcement came at an exclusive annual reception honoring the agency's major donors, including Clear Channel.

Clear Channel joins a growing list of now 12 individuals and organizations that have reached this milestone.

Drug companies helped drive an almost 18 percent increase in corporate philanthropy last year as they gave away medicine to poor Americans still struggling in a rough economy, a survey found on Thursday.

The Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy poll of 110 companies found they gave $13 billion in cash and products last year as the United States began to emerge from recession.

While 40 percent of the 110 companies — polled annually for the past four years — boosted their giving last year by more than 10 percent, another 17 percent decreased their giving by more than 10 percent compared to 2009.

NewView Oklahoma is preparing to begin a new contract to handle mail services for the U.S. Navy.

Lauren White, president and chief executive of the nonprofit company, said the company is hiring up to 29 employees for the July 1 start date in eight initial locations, which include naval bases in Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. Work will be managed from the Oklahoma City office but performed on site.

As part of the Navy contract, employees will handle all aspects of the mail except driving. Adaptive technology may be used to aid employees.

Planet Fitness gyms nationwide donated $370,200 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation through a special Mother's Day promotion that took place from May 1 to 10. For every new member that signed up at Planet Fitness, $10 was donated to BCRF. More than 200 Planet Fitness gyms participated in the promotion. During the sale, memberships cost just $10 down, and then $10 a month.

This is the second straight year that Planet Fitness has supported The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Through last year's Mother's Day sale, Planet Fitness' donated $213,000 to BCRF.

Toys“R”Us announced its fifth annual nationwide in-store fundraising campaign to benefit Autism Speaks, North America’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, raised more than $3 million across the U.S. and Canada. Coinciding with Autism Awareness Month in April, all Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores in North America, along with Toysrus.com/AutismSpeaks and Toysrus.ca, encouraged customers to donate. The campaign raised $2.3 million in the U.S. and $700,000 in Canada. Donations collected will help fund global biomedical research for autism, raise public awareness about the disorder and provide support for families affected by autism.

A year ago Panera converted a Clayton, Mo., restaurant into a nonprofit pay-what-you-want restaurant with the idea of helping to feed the needy and raising money for charitable work. Panera founder and Chairman Ronald Shaich said the cafe, operated through Panera's charitable foundation, has been a big success, largely because of genourous customers.

The majority of patrons pay retail value or more. Statistics provided by Panera indicate that roughly 60 percent leave the suggested amount; 20 percent leave more; and 20 percent less. One person paid $500 for a meal, the largest single payment.

When you think of workplace giving campaigns, a gift request form may be the first thing that comes to mind. But workplace campaigns are changing, employing innovative tools and strategies that are sparking engagement and redefining how companies and employees improve their communities.

A new study conducted by the Center on Philanthropy highlights successful workplace campaign strategies, helping nonprofits and companies develop engaging campaigns.

City Year has announced a three-year, $20.3 million commitment in cash and in-kind contributions from Comcast, the giant cable and home Internet service provider.

The organization will use the funds to support the leadership efforts of City Year AmeriCorps team members — young people between the ages of 17 and 24 — in nine cities who are working directly with students to improve attendance, behavior, and course performance. Grant funds also will be used to build awareness of City Year's In School & On Track initiative.

Donate My Card announced that Good360, the world's leading nonprofit in product giving and one of the largest nonprofits in the United States, has joined Donate My Card as a participating partner charity, offering if a new opportunity to raise funds, increase awareness of its mission, and grow its donor base.

Over the past 28 years, Good360 (formerly Gifts In Kind International) has distributed corporate product donations valued at more than $7 billion to thousands of recipient organizations serving a wide spectrum of people in need.

In Washington, subscribers to the online coupon site Groupon found a second offer next to Tuesday’s deal for a discounted health-club membership. They also had the opportunity to donate meals to families in need.

The promotion, which will run through Saturday, encourages Groupon’s customers in Washington to make a donation to the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region’s Neighbors in Need Fund, which helps local food banks.

The community foundation said it would match all donations through Groupon, which can be made in increments of $10, $25, or $50.