Medtronic Foundation

Since the launch of the Medtronic Foundation in 1978, the company's commitment to philanthropy has been a key component in bringing the Medtronic Mission to life. The sixth tenet of the Mission is "To maintain good corporate citizenship as a company." As Medtronic continues to extend its worldwide presence, the philanthropic efforts will increase as Medtronic Foundation focus on the vision of expanding access to health care for the underserved around the world, especially those with chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Medtronic Philanthropy is wholly funded by Medtronic, Inc., which includes a charitable contribution to the Medtronic Foundation (an independent, 501c3 nonprofit organization) and corporate resources dedicated to the Medtronic Fund, a global social investment mechanism. Additionally, business units and geographies across Medtronic donate products and provide cash grants to support a number of philanthropic efforts, and pursue 'frugal innovation' opportunities that help provide healthcare solutions to those outside the reach of current services. By aligning social investments around the company's health-focused Mission and vision, Medtronic Philanthropy believes that impact around the world. The Foundation’s Programs Medtronic Philanthropy devotes the majority of its resources to expand access to quality chronic disease care, helping address unmet health needs in underserved communities worldwide. Strengthening Health Systems Medtronic Philanthropy and its partners take a holistic view of existing healthcare systems and the barriers that interrupt the continuum of care. As part of commitment to the World Health Organization's global target of a 25 percent reduction in premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) by 2025, Medtronic Philanthropy aims to expand access to care for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This is especially focused upon those who have been traditionally underserved due to economic and social barriers to healthcare access.  To achieve the goal, aims to strengthen health systems by advancing policies, empowering individuals living with chronic disease and leveraging caregivers and frontline health workers to enable people living with chronic disease to successfully manage their condition in acute events and over the long term. Currently, the efforts are focused in India, South Africa, Brazil, Russia and the United States related to the following activities: Putting patients first: Empowering individuals living with chronic disease. Focus on frontline health workers: The work begins on the ground, with the people on the front lines of health systems. Programs focus on connecting well-trained caregivers and health workers with patients, leading to better access and navigation of that community's health resources. Advancing policy: Currently working with local organizations, community leaders, and policy makers to address needs of underserved communities.  Beyond the global health access work in key countries, also active around the world in opportunities to leverage resources from across Medtronic's business units. These resources are focused on the following activities: Innovation investing: Combining the Philanthropy resources with Medtronic corporate resources to maximize the impact of the programs and support investing in innovative solutions to expand access to healthcare around the world. Global product donations/business unit funding: Also work closely with Medtronic business units to identify opportunities to invest together in initiatives focused on meeting the needs of the underserved using additional resources, as well as donating products worldwide. Building Healthy Medtronic Communities Has a long-standing commitment to support the communities where employees live and give. Health access grants: In 34 communities that are home to largest facilities, award recognition grants to community-based programs and organizations that demonstrate a commitment to expanding access to chronic disease care for the underserved. Patient celebration programs – Medtronic Global Heroes and Bakken Invitation: Programs that celebrate individuals who demonstrate the power of medical technology, either in the physical accomplishment of long-distance running, or by contributing their "added years" to improving their communities. Disaster relief: When unexpected natural disasters occur, mobilize money, supplies and employee skills to support immediate relief, and short- and longer-term healthcare needs.  Activating Employees Medtronic Philanthropy facilitates and supports employee engagement in community service anywhere in the world.  Matching grants: Any Medtronic employee worldwide may have their personal monetary donations to nonprofit organizations matched, dollar-for-dollar, by Medtronic Philanthropy. Global innovation fellows:  This highly-selective program provides short-term and medium-term opportunities for Medtronic employees to use their professional expertise and personal passions to pursue innovative ways to expand access to healthcare for the underserved. Project 6: Demonstrating the sixth tenet of Mission – to maintain good citizenship as a company – employees unite volunteer efforts for the month of June with emphasis on global health access for the underserved. Programs to support and recognize employee efforts: Volunteer grants:  Medtronic supports employees who volunteer 25 hours or more to a charitable organization with a $500 USD award to that organization Disaster relief PTO:  With manager approval, employees are permitted up to 5 days of paid time off in order to assist in natural disaster relief efforts. Momentum awards:  An annual recognition of exemplary employees for their outstanding community contributions.