2.27.2007 - 05:56pm ET

(CSRwire) NEW YORK, NY - February 27, 2007 – Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu today awarded five people from its member firms US$500.00 each to help support their individual locally driven efforts to address global issues. The award was the result of a global community involvement contest that asked participants to share how his or her community-focused initiatives can help shape the world. This announcement from Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu CEO William G. Parrett came as part of the organization’s celebration of National Corporate Philanthropy Day (NCPD).

NCPD, started by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP), is a day in the United States dedicated to building awareness of philanthropic achievements, sharing the benefits of corporate giving, and inspiring businesses to engage further in philanthropy.

“Each year, Deloitte member firms contribute to their communities in different ways, investing millions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of hours in community-based projects,” said Mr. Parrett, who is a member of the board of directors of CECP. “Recently Deloitte member firms engaged in a community involvement contest asking all of their people to describe their personal goals and projects to shape their communities. The result was an overwhelming response from individuals from 14 countries on three continents describing how they became inspired to help the communities where they live and work.”

The five winning entries represent small-scale community-based programs that represent a wide range of community concerns including education, health care and ending hunger. The stipend each winner receives will contribute to his or her ongoing community involvement work.

Mr. Parrett said, “Just as Deloitte supports organizations whose purpose is to lead global social development, such as the CECP and the World Economic Forum, sponsoring the personal efforts of the people of Deloitte member firms to drive positive change in their communities can be equally influential. The potential benefits of the winning entries are global, even though the commitment begins at home.”

Each entry in the contest was evaluated by a panel of judges. Winners were chosen based on established criteria, including a clear display of the overall impact of a new or unique effort, leadership in connection with a community program, and how the prize money will be used to help further the good work being done in that community.

Mr. Parrett participated in the CECP Board of Boards CEO Conference today to discuss its central theme, Imperatives for Corporations Investing in Society, and commented on the power individuals can have to inspire an entire organization.

“On a day that asks CEOs to consider the Imperatives for Corporations Investing in Society, I feel proud to also share with corporate leaders the Deloitte member firm stories that show how the power of individuals can change the world for the better.” Mr. Parrett said.

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu recently announced a new clean water initiative with the Safe Water Network, an organization started by board members of the CECP, including Mr. Parrett. The initiative, announced last month at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, aims to empower communities through the delivery of small-scale, community-based distributed water filtration technology solutions to provide clean drinking water in six geographies over 12 months. The six geographies include India, China, Bangladesh, Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America.

Deloitte CEO William G. Parrett is on the board of CECP and the Safe Water Network. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is a founding member of the United Nations Global Compact. As a global organization made up of local partnerships in nearly 140 countries, Deloitte member firms make a positive impact on their local communities through involvement with organizations like Junior Achievement and with initiatives such as IMPACT Day, where many member firms choose to spend one day a year celebrating and renewing commitments to their year-round community involvement activities.


About Deloitte

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, a Swiss Verein, its member firms, and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is an organization of member firms around the world devoted to excellence in providing professional services and advice, focused on client service through a global strategy executed locally in nearly 140 countries. With access to the deep intellectual capital of approximately 135,000 people worldwide, Deloitte delivers services in four professional areas—audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services—and serves more than 80 percent of the world’s largest companies, as well as large national enterprises, public institutions, locally important clients, and successful, fast-growing global growth companies.

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