FAQ
Q: What are Avaya’s community outreach programs?
A: Avaya has a charitable contributions program and a community services program that center around volunteer activities; both of which we established in 2007. These programs are global.
Charitable giving program
Q: What are the areas of concentration for Avaya’s charitable contributions program?
A: We focus a substantial portion of our contributions budget on providing communications technology solutions to nonprofits to help improve their communications infrastructure so they can better serve their clients. Our areas of concentration are organizations that assist people with disabilities and those that work on child health issues. We also focus on supporting communication efforts for disaster recovery/preparedness initiatives.
Q: What are the primary goals of our program?
A: In addition to our desire to be a responsible corporate citizen, the primary goals of our program are to raise the company’s visibility and reinforce our brand globally. We also use this vehicle to attract new employees, enhance employee morale and to strengthen relationships with key stakeholders.
Q: What organizations are eligible for grant consideration?
A: In the U.S., grants are made to nonprofit charitable organizations classified under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service Code, and to certain municipal, county, state and federal entities. Outside of the U.S., applicants must be charitable in purpose and identified as nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) or the equivalent of a U.S. tax-exempt nonprofit organization.
Q: How are grant recipients selected?
A: We seek out nonprofit organizations and request they submit proposals for communications technology infrastructure or disaster preparedness enhancements. They must demonstrate how the enhancements will enable them to better serve their clients. A Grant Review team then determines if it is a suitable project for Avaya’s charitable giving program.
Q: Who makes up the Grant Review team?
A: The Grant Review team is made up of company employees from a cross section of business and staff functions.
Q: Does Avaya accept unsolicited grant applications?
A: We have developed a proactive outreach program to seek out strategic nonprofit partners. While Avaya accepts unsolicited requests, the organizations we reach out to are more likely to receive funding.
Q: Is there a deadline for submitting grant requests?
A: There is no deadline to submit proposals.
Q: What languages are acceptable for submission of a grant?
A: All proposals must be submitted in English.
Community Services Program
Q: What does Avaya’s community services program focus on?
A: Our community services program focuses on employee volunteer activities. We also support selected first responder agencies in our larger communities.
Q: How does the employee volunteer program work?
A: The main component of the community services program, our employee volunteer activities, is usually organized by a location’s volunteer council. The council provides employee volunteer opportunities in their local communities.
Q: What is a volunteer council?
A: A volunteer council is a group of employees at an Avaya facility that reviews, selects and implements company-sponsored volunteer activities for employees at that location.
Q: How can I get my nonprofit organization considered for a volunteer opportunity?
A: You may e-mail the local volunteer council contact to request your proposal be reviewed at an upcoming council meeting.
Q: Does Avaya provide grants to nonprofits in their local communities?
A: We work with some local nonprofits through our communications technology grants. In some cases, a small grant to a nonprofit organization, generally not to exceed $1,500, may be requested to cover the costs of project materials for a volunteer activity.
Related Topics
Q: Does Avaya’s corporate outreach program sponsor local fundraising events like walk/bike a-thons, etc.?
A: Generally, we don’t sponsor such events or participate in fundraisers, but there may be some instances when a facility selects a cause where supporting this type of event is appropriate. Locations are limited to selecting only one of these volunteer opportunities a year.
Q: Does Avaya provide funds for sponsorships, galas, ad journals, etc.?
A: Donations of this kind will generally not be funded through the corporate community outreach program.
Q: Does Avaya sponsor athletic teams?
A: The Avaya corporate charitable giving program does not sponsor athletic teams.
