DENVER, CO (December 12, 2017) – The GLBT Community Center of Colorado (“The Center”) has been awarded $500 by Staples Foundation, the private charitable arm of Staples, Inc., through a program called 2 Million & Change that allows Staples associates around the globe to direct more than $2 million in donations each year.
“We are very grateful to Staples Foundation for supporting the work of The Center,” said CEO Debra Pollock. “Thanks to the generosity of the of the 2 Million & Change program, this money will help support our youth program, Rainbow Alley, and the upcoming Stepping Out Summer Academy, a program that helps LGBT youth and their allies discover career possibilities and develop into leaders of the future.”
Created in 2012, the 2 Million & Change program is a philanthropic initiative which allows Staples associates around the world to direct funding to non-profit organizations focused on academic education or job skills. The program encourages local community engagement by awarding larger grants to organizations where associates are highly engaged in volunteering or fundraising – up to $25,000 per organization.
In 2016, Staples awarded more than $2.3 million in grants to 1,000 local organizations in support of education and job skills programs, including job readiness for homeless individuals, career exploration for high school students, academic scholarships, mentoring and more.
“Staples is committed to giving back to the causes our associates are passionate about,” said Regis Mulot, chief human resources officer, Staples, Inc. “The 2 Million & Change program helps associates make an even greater impact on the organizations they support in their local communities.”
The Center opened in 1976 and over the years has grown to become the largest community center in the Rocky Mountain region, giving voice to Colorado’s LGBT community and playing a pivotal role in statewide initiatives to reduce harassment and discrimination. Today the Center is focused on fulfilling its mission – to engage, empower, enrich and advance the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community of Colorado – by ensuring that every member of the LGBT community has access to the programs and resources they need to live happy, healthy, and productive lives. The Center currently operates on an annual budget of $2.2 million, employs 20 staff members and utilizes more than 500 community volunteers to serve more than 47,000 people each year. lgbtqcolorado.org.
About Staples Community and Giving
Staples contributes to educational and job-related community efforts with a primary focus on disadvantaged youth, from literacy and mentoring to career skills development, through in-kind and monetary donations and grants from Staples Foundation, the private charitable arm of Staples, Inc. Through its community and giving efforts, Staples has helped thousands of organizations around the world. For more information, visit www.staples.com/community.
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