Stuart Aitken
CEO
dunnhumbyUSA
www.dunnhumby.com/us
Leading the pack
How employees get energized to help the needy at dunnhumbyUSA
Philanthropy is a worldwide commitment for dunnhumbyUSA and employees get to decide where the effort to meet that commitment is directed. Each fall, through the science company’s Helping Hands program, everyone gets together to decide which nonprofits dunnhumby will support that year.
The IRS must recognize the charities chosen as legitimate charities, and the effort to help must provide opportunities for everyone to volunteer through team activities with clear goals. These have been fundamental to the effort under the leadership of CEO Stuart Aitken.
Employee participation runs Helping Hands and a dunnhumby team is assigned to manage the relationship with each charitable organization to determine where the need is. The team must also establish goals for working together effectively and organize dunnhumby events throughout the year.
In 2013, a total of seven nonprofits were selected: The American Cancer Society, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Oyler School, Freestore Foodbank, Ronald McDonald House, Drop Inn Center and Women Helping Women.
With the American Cancer Society, dunnhumby participates in the Relay for Life. In 2013, the company participated in a new event called the Bark for Life fundraiser. It’s a noncompetitive fundraising/walk event that honors cancer survivors, remembers loved ones lost to cancer and celebrates the caregiving qualities of dogs. The dunnhumby team had more than a dozen participants in this event and was able to raise more than $1,200 for the American Cancer Society. ●
