Yesterday evening, United Way of the Bay Area honored Dodge & Cox and UPS with its highest tribute, the 2011 Spirit of the Bay Award. Each year, United Way’s prestigious Spirit of the Bay award recognizes two Bay Area employers – one large and one small – that exceeded all others in community involvement through their partnership with United Way. 

BRE Properties' Connie Moore (2010 winner) congratulates Dodge & Cox's Kevin Johnson

  
Dodge & Cox has had a steadily growing fundraising campaign every year, with increased volunteering by their employees and management’s strong support of United Way’s mission. Their 2010 campaign focused on United Way’s goal to reduce poverty by half by 2020, both informing and inspiring employees to support United Way’s community programs.  Actively involved with United Way for over 60 years, Dodge & Cox is a valued partner, raising more than $790,000 for vital human and health services in 2010. 

Bank of America's Gary Cumpston (left, 2010 winner) congratulates UPS' Todd Galloway, joined by United Way's Anne Wilson (right)

Last year, UPS surpassed the one-billion dollar mark in total donations through their nationwide United Way workplace campaigns, which began in 1982.  Here in the Bay Area, UPS is a strong partner of United Way, engaging in a wide variety of ways – through volunteerism, employee giving, event sponsorship, and corporate gifts. Their commitment to Week of Caring and sponsorship of Hometown Huddle are just two examples of UPS’ leadership in the community. Their 2010 campaign raised more than $750,000 for community services in the Bay Area.

Bay Area employers submitted applications for the 2011 Sprit of the Bay award, which were reviewed by an independent evaluation committee composed of representatives from Bay Area corporations.   Read the full press release.