Staples Associates Direct $10,000 to Horizons for Homeless Children in 2013

Staples Foundation, the private charitable arm of Staples, Inc., has awarded $10,000 to Horizons for Homeless Children in 2013 under a program that lets Staples associates direct donations. The grant amount is connected to the level of personal engagement associates have with the organization; a deeper involvement results in additional grant dollars. Five Staples associates over the course of 2013 directed grant money to the non-profit.

Horizons for Homeless Children is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of young homeless children and their families by ensuring that they are prepared for school success. Horizons provide high quality early education, opportunities for play, and family support services. Today, Horizons serves more than 3,000 young homeless children each week in Massachusetts through three comprehensive early education centers and 150 shelter-based Playspaces.

The grants are part of a philanthropic initiative created by Staples Foundation which allows Staples associates around the world to direct funding to non-profit organizations that are focused on 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.

The program, called 2 Million and Change, will award funds to organizations around the world, reaching more than $2 million in grants by the end of the year. In 2012, associates globally directed more than $2.1 million of Staples Foundation grants to 470 non-profit organizations.

“Staples Foundation is committed to making a positive impact in the communities where our associates live and work,” said Katy Dobbs, director of global community and giving for Staples, Inc. “Through our program, we are pleased to support our associates and the local non-profit organizations that matter to them most.”