In 2008, Bellevue-based Intelius, an identity protection, screening, and search provider ramped up its charitable contributions despite the ailing global economy.
The company, which was established January 2003, gave around $210,000 to several national and local nonprofit organizations in the same year. Having just 191 employees, their 2008 contributions had set for the company a new record on corporate giving.
“Our country is facing an unprecedented number of people in need and we felt it was our responsibility to step up when the economy forced others to step back,” said Naveen Jain, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Intelius. “I am inspired by the amazing work done by the nonprofit groups we work with, and I want to instill that passion not only within Intelius, but as an example for others to follow.”
Organizations who received donations from Intelius include a range of nonprofits that support education, healthcare as well as family and youth issues.
Intelius has also initiated a scholarship endowment program at the University of Washington. The purpose of the endowment program was to provide financial assistance to undergraduate students in business and computer science and engineering. Currently, Intellius has contributed $170,000 to the endowment.
Intellius’ other charitable partners for 2008 are Children’s Hospital, Bellevue Boys and Girls Club, Treehouse, Eastside Domestic Violence Program and the Bellevue School Foundation.
As for 2009, the company looks forward to match or increase its contributions as a corporation at the same time promoting the giving spirit in its employees. For this to be achievable, the company has developed several programs that encourage employees to have a personal stake in the philanthropic success of the company. One of these is Intelius’ corporate matching program. For every donation given by an employee to a qualified charity of the employee’s choice, the company matches the donation (up to $250 annually). The other program is paid volunteerism. Intelius offers its employees paid leaves if they spend that amount of time doing volunteer work in a philanthropic organization of their choosing.
