8.18.2006 - 11:30am ET

(CSRwire) (SAN FRANCISCO) - TIAA-CREF, the national financial services organization and the leading provider of retirement services in the academic, research, medical and cultural fields, has been selected as the recipient of VolunteerMatch's first ever Corporate Community Leader of the Year Award. The award recognizes TIAA-CREF's commitment to employee volunteering and dedication to advancing the cause of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

"TIAA-CREF has a longstanding commitment to improving our communities, and this award reflects the outstanding spirit of volunteerism and giving that is shared by all TIAA-CREF employees," said Tonya Murray, Director of Corporate Sponsorships & Community Relations for TIAA-CREF.

TIAA-CREF has encouraged employee volunteering since opening its doors 90 years ago, but the company did not have a formal program in place until 2004. It was that same year that TIAA-CREF chose to partner with VolunteerMatch to extend the reach and scope of its community engagement initiatives.

Employee feedback helped guide TIAA-CREF's focus in their CSR efforts on Arts & Culture, Education, Health & Human Services and Volunteerism. In addition, three on-the-ground coordinators in Charlotte, New York and Denver help keep employees inspired and engaged in community events. Major volunteer initiatives over the last year include "Giving Back for the Greater Good Service Days," "Helping Hands for the Holidays" and Hurricane Relief efforts.

"TIAA-CREF's exceptional commitment to employee volunteering serves as a model for all companies interested in becoming outstanding corporate citizens," said Deborah Dinkelacker, president of VolunteerMatch. "We are honored to acknowledge their efforts with the Corporate Community Leader Award."

About TIAA-CREF

TIAA-CREF is a national financial services organization with more than $380 billion in combined assets under management (6/30/06) and the leading provider of retirement services in the academic, research, medical and cultural fields. Further information can be found at www.tiaa-cref.org.

TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, and Teachers Personal Investors Services, Inc., distribute securities products

About VolunteerMatch

VolunteerMatch is where volunteering begins, enabling volunteers and businesses to find local nonprofits by ZIP code, get involved based on skills and interests, and support a community network committed to civic engagement. Since 1998, VolunteerMatch has helped volunteers make more than 2.5 million matches to 41,000+ nonprofits throughout the United States, earning the national nonprofit worldwide acclaim, two Webby Awards, and recognition from M.I.T., the Smithsonian Institution and The White House.

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