The commitment to community service runs deep at Hyland Software Inc. — literally. It’s built into the company’s formal missions, policies and values, making it difficult for employees not to participate in all of the opportunities around them.
It starts with Hyland’s Corporate Responsibility mission, which has a special focus of helping children learn efficiently and effectively through donations of time, technology and money. A big component of that mission comes through the Hyland Technology Initiative Scholarship, which assists graduating seniors who share Hyland’s passion for software development. Hyland also promotes education by partnering with Watterson Lake School in Cleveland, connecting employees with teachers to provide tutoring and story hours in their classrooms.
But Hyland’s approach to community service certainly isn’t limited to just that. President and CEO A.J. Hyland makes sure his employees have the freedom to follow their passions when it comes to volunteering. The Charitable Giving Program, which has its own annual budget, accepts donation and sponsorship requests, not only from nonprofits and educational organizations but also from Hyland employees who can submit requests on behalf of organizations where they personally contribute. In 2009, Hyland’s financial and in-kind donations went out to 88 organizations; 43 of those were in response to employee-driven requests.
Hyland also offers 12 paid volunteer time-off hours to employees annually so they can serve even during business hours. They can either seek out their own opportunities or tap into Hyland’s “done in a day” team projects, which foster team-building while promoting volunteerism. In 2009, Hyland employees donated 870 hours of service to the surrounding community.
More than 100 employees — including Hyland himself — coordinated “Time to Make a Difference Week” at the Cleveland Foodbank, where they volunteered to sort food and prepare meals. The company also makes significant contributions to the West Side Catholic Center annually, this year financially sponsoring their 5K Run/1 Mile Walk & Pancake Breakfast, Annual Golf Outing Fundraiser and Saturday Evening Meals Program. Hyland also began hosting a Hy-5 Run to benefit MetroHealth. This year, they raised $32,500 in support.
In addition to corporately coordinating an annual United Way campaign, Harvest for Hunger fundraisers, school supply drives, American Red Cross blood drives and holiday giving activities, Hyland also encourages employees to seek volunteer opportunities on their own. At Hyland, community service transcends the workplace.
How to reach: Hyland Software Inc., (440) 788-5000 or www.hyland.com
