Almost every day, something happens that reminds me how fortunate I am to work for a company like GCI. At GCI, I am surrounded by a team of people doing incredible things for this state. Everything GCI does connects communities across Alaska to the communication services that have become so vital to our lives, from cell service to access to telemedicine and online education services.
GCI is more than just Alaska’s technology leader, we are an Alaska-born-and-raised company committed to being good neighbors by supporting our local communities. What many might not know is that each year, GCI donates more than $2 million to Alaska organizations and provides more than 32,000 hours of paid volunteer time to its 2,200 employees statewide and in the Lower 48.
Last year, we launched GCI Gives to further our support of Alaska communities. Part of that is our nonprofit Spotlight Partner program.
The Spotlight Partner program allows GCI to select 12 Alaska nonprofit organizations to partner with each year. There are so many deserving nonprofits in our state that work to improve the lives of Alaskans. This program lets GCI use its brand awareness to help raise the profile of these nonprofits and their worthy causes while encouraging others in the community to give.
We really try to make sure that we select nonprofits that already are established in Alaska so that we can help further their reach. We also look for nonprofits that resonate with our employees, because the more people we have behind the nonprofit program, the more successful it will be.
GCI starts by donating a combination of cash and services to the nonprofits (or the Alaska affiliates of national nonprofits) that are selected. But we don’t just drop off a check and move on. GCI spends one month focusing on bringing awareness to each nonprofit by featuring it in stores, on social media and encouraging GCI employees to volunteer. Nonprofits are featured in advertising, at events, serve as partners in various community service opportunities and more. The combination of resources for each partner are valued at $15,000.
GCI’s Spotlight Partners for 2019 are: Red Cross of Alaska, American Heart Association, Alaska School Activities Association, Cook Inlet Tribal Council’s Native Youth Olympics, United Service Organizations, Camp Fire Alaska, Alaska Zoo, Covenant House Alaska, GCI Suicide Prevention Fund, American Cancer Society, Food Bank of Alaska and Special Olympics Alaska.
For more information, visit www.gci.com/why-gci/gcigives.