Literacy and education are essential for individual success and vital to the well-being of communities. As a global leader in helping businesses communicate more effectively, Pitney Bowes has a vital interest in literacy and education. We also believe that by supporting literacy and education programs, we can improve countless lives and strengthen the fabric of communities everywhere we are involved. Each year we grant approximately $1.4 million to organizations conducting such programs, with a particular focus on closing the achievement gap and preparing individuals for successful employment.

Our employees are passionate about this commitment and apply their energy and experience to help children, families, schools and related charities through thousands of hours of volunteer time every year.

In the United States, we make 60-80 grants each year, focused on communities where we have a presence and where the population is underserved or at risk. Many of the programs we support focus on children aged 3-12 from the pre-kindergarten level up through elementary and middle school. We support school-year enrichment initiatives such as Head Start, mentoring and after-school homework support, as well as summer learning opportunities to help consolidate gains made during the school year and minimize losses over summer vacation. We also support programs at the high school level and beyond, including mentoring, job training, ESL and GED courses.
Our major philanthropic partnerships include:
  • Everybody Wins! USA — Project LEAP (Literacy Enhancement Action Plan), supporting local and regional affiliates as well as national mentoring programs for low-income elementary students.
  • National Center for Family Literacy — programs that help parents and children learn together
  • National Literacy Trust (U.K.) — the Pitney Bowes Pushing the Envelope Campaign, an annual auction of artwork designed by celebrities and executed on envelopes
  • National Urban League — youth education programs learn together.
  • Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship — middle school summer camps and a high school competition to help young people from low-income communities build skills and launch businesses
  • Reading Is Fundamental — early literacy support for children and caregivers through family literacy events, activity guides, lending libraries, and book distribution.

 


Washington, D.C., Share the Message: Read! Event

"Share the Message: READ!" 
Pitney Bowes' long partnership with Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) continued in 2010 with a series of Family Literacy Nights in Corona, California; Atlanta, Georgia; Dallas, Texas; and Washington, D.C. More than 100 Pitney Bowes employees volunteered at these events, joining 2300 children and parents for evenings of reading, crafts, games and fun, at the end of which the Pitney Bowes Foundation donated books for the children to take home. Atlanta City Councilman Michael Julian Bond, who attended the Atlanta event, said, "To see this many parents at an event during the after-school hours is unheard-of."

The Foundation also sponsored a communication resource guide and accompanying book collection for 50 RIF sites in Indianapolis and New York City. In 2011 the collaboration will be expanding internationally, with events in Australia, Canada, India and the United Kingdom as well as the U.S.




Connecticut Science Center KidSpace Gallery
In just two years, the Connecticut Science Center in downtown Hartford has established itself as one of the state's top three tourist destinations as well as its premier institution for informal science learning. As sponsor of the Center's KidSpace Gallery, the Pitney Bowes Foundation has enabled thousands of toddlers and small children to share in the excitement with interactive exhibits including a hands-on water room, a variety of Search and Find activities and a Reading Nook.

Inspiring Young Entrepreneurs at BizCamps Network
For Teaching Entrepreneurship offers innovative programs that help low-income middle and high school students stay in school, recognize opportunities and plan for successful futures. NFTE's curriculum teaches the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and financial literacy in ways that are connected to core academics. Current programs span the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Helped by grants from the Pitney Bowes Foundation, NFTE has recently expanded its popular one- and two-week summer BizCamp program. In addition, many Pitney Bowes employees volunteer for NFTE as board members, guest speakers, mentors or competition judges.