USAID partners with CDC, IBM to boost corporate volunteerism

Members of the IBM Corporate Service Corps visit a primary school in Arusha, Tanzania. IBM Corp. is partnering with the U.S. Agency for International Development and CDC Development Solutions to expand the role of corporate volunnteers in USAID programs. Photo by: Chris Gansen

The U.S. Agency for International Development, IBM Corp. and CDC Development Solutions are partnering to expand the role of corporate volunnteers in USAID programs. The organizations announced plans to build a “Center for Excellence in International Corporate Volunteerism” April 14 at the International Volunteerism Workshop in Washington.

The virtual center will operate from April 2011 through April 2014 under the management of CDC Development Solutions, with the goal of expanding corporate volunteerism and enabling USAID to leverage corporate skills for its programs. The center will track and measure best practices of corporate volunteerism programs around the world; other details have yet to be determined.

“This is a great marriage with great overlapping objectives,” said Kathleen Hunt, director of volunteers for prosperity at the USAID Office of Development Partners. 

IBM is contributing $4.1 million, while USAID is giving $274,300.

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