Tech Shout!

The “Intel Volunteer Matching Grant Program,” which has served Intel communities in the United States since 1995, is being initiated in China, Costa Rica, India, Ireland and Malaysia after successful international pilots in the Philippines and Israel last year.

Over the last 10 years, The “Intel Volunteer Matching Grant Program” has raised almost $10 million for schools. During which the Intel employees have volunteered over 1.2 million hours in classrooms, reading with first graders, explaining algebra equations and providing real-world examples of an engineer’s daily tasks; all in an effort to express to children that their education and well-being is a matter of immense concern to adults in their communities.

Charlene Cook, principal, J L Mulready Elementary, Hudson, Massachusetts, said, “Intel volunteers make a difference in our community and in our school. Our students benefit academically from having these enthusiastic volunteers in the classroom, and their confidence and attitudes toward learning improve too.”

Intel’s Volunteer Matching Grant Program is unique in that, the dollars generated by the program are directly related to the number of hours that Intel employees volunteer at schools. When one or more Intel employees volunteer 20 hours at a single school, the school receives a cash donation.

The donation amount is based on the total number of Intel employee volunteer hours accumulated during the academic year. Dollar amounts vary by geography according to local currency exchange rates.

Shelly Esque, worldwide director - corporate public affairs, Intel, said, “This program puts our employees and their passions for engineering, math, science and technology directly into classrooms around the globe. Intel makes a two-fold impact on education, through direct employee engagement that delivers results and cash to schools that helps fund such programs as teacher training and technology access.”

In order to help today’s students develop the higher-level thinking skills required to participate and succeed in a knowledge-based economy, Intel supports education through its Intel Innovation in Education initiative, a sustained commitment - in alliance with educators and government leaders worldwide.