Let’s face it: HP has had some hard times in the printing and computing world. It has gone some time without a CEO over the last few years, and the board has bought some assets that don’t seem much like assets (Anyone seen a Palm Pilot lately?). And in the upcoming year, some 30,000 jobs will be cut by the corporation. Yet I write this post not to bury HP but to praise it, for Hewlett-Packard has been a major corporate donor and socially-engaged company for some time. In 2011 the company brought in about $127 billion in revenues last year, and it gave over $100 million back out through its “Global Innovation” organization. For comparison, Apple drew in $108 billion in the same year, and invested about $0 in corporate philanthropy.
Could your nonprofit benefit from assistance from Hewlett-Packard?
The tricky part with HP is that your organization does not directly apply to HP’s foundation for a grant. Instead, HP works with major NGOs like the American Red Cross and UNICEF to find local nonprofits whose projects draw HP’s attention. Their focus is on local volunteerism on structural issues and on health concerns/disaster relief:
HP’s Office of Global Social Innovation helps share HP talent and technology where they are needed most. With our powerful combination of enthusiastic people, innovative technology, and international presence, we focus on the areas where we can make the biggest impact: Education, Entrepreneurship, Health, and Community Involvement.
It also does a great deal of work to encourage its employees to give by offering matching grants, giving volunteer time, and in-kind technology support. Here is an example from HP on how it is helping to “Hack Autism”:
Though your organization likely would not contact HP directly for assistance, you can reach out to HP employees and staff, and to larger community and disaster-relief organizations who have contacts with the corporation and who can help bring its resources to bear on your nonprofit’s fine efforts.