Taproot Foundation Los Angeles Announces Inaugural Recipients of Golden Root Awards

LOS ANGELES, Calif., October 22, 2013 /3BL Media/ —Taproot Foundation, a nonprofit organization that makes business talent available to organizations working to improve society, announced today the inaugural recipients of the Golden Root Awards.  The Golden Root Awards recognizes individuals, nonprofit organizations, and businesses for their pro bono achievements in the Los Angeles area.  The awards will be given at a celebration event, which takes place on Thursday, October 24, 2013 at Acento Advertising in Santa Monica.

“Pro bono service is becoming one of the largest forms of philanthropy in the country with close to $15 billion in professional services donated annually to the nonprofit sector,” said Taproot Foundation Los Angeles Executive Director Ann Burroughs, “Here in Los Angeles, we see how individuals and companies strengthen nonprofits every day.  Through the Golden Root Awards, Taproot Foundation recognizes their importance and impact, and we hope to inspire a culture of pro bono in LA.”

The Golden Root Awards will be held during Pro Bono Week, which runs October 20-26 and is a global campaign that celebrates and activates pro bono service across all professions.

The recipients of the 2013 Golden Root Awards are:

BUSINESS

Deloitte

Deloitte has made its mark as a thought leader and practitioner when it comes to corporate pro bono. Their work and support of the pro bono movement has been and will continue to be instrumental in building a strong pro bono marketplace in Los Angeles.

The Walt Disney Company

Disney believes that small individual actions can have a large collective impact that transforms communities. In addition to strategic philanthropy and the time of Disney VoluntEARS, the company has piloted a successful skills-based volunteer program to leverage the knowledge and expertise of Disney employees to help increase the capacity of local organizations.  

Union Bank

Union Bank has provided nonprofit organizations with the opportunity to engage in pro bono through the Taproot Service Grant Program. More than 300 Union Bank employees have engaged in pro bono service.

Verynice Design Studio

Verynice Design’s dedication to pro bono is unparalleled in the business community. Adopting pro bono as a business-as-usual practice has resulted in more than 50% of its efforts dedicated towards pro bono services.

NONPROFIT

1010 Development Corporation

Currently completing its second Taproot Service Grant, 1010 has adopted a culture of pro bono by partnering with universities for long-term deep impact strategy and organizational development pro bono projects.

Boys & Girls Club of Hollywood

BGCH has utilized pro bono in multiple ways –a  Taproot Service Grant, a Disney VoluntEARS Skill-Based Volunteering engagement, and a  Taproot Powered by Pro Bono pilot project.  BGCH understands the power of pro bono to build organizational capacity.  

Downtown Women’s Center

DWC has not only successfully completed two Taproot Service Grants but also understands the importance of engaging corporate and community partners in pro bono. From marketing projects to facility design, Downtown Women’s Center recognizes pro bono as fundamental for growth.

Shoes That Fit

After completing its first Taproot Service Grant project, Shoes That Fit has shown an exceptional ability to utilize pro bono through its equal partnership with the pro bono team.  Building on that success, Shoes That Fit has developed a strategy to continue working with pro bono.

INDIVIDUALS

Daniel Keston

A talented and experienced writer, Daniel Keston has volunteered his services on seven Taproot Service Grants.

Will Raleigh

Will Raleigh has brought his marketing talent to five Service Grants.  As project manager, Will effectively champions pro bono by keeping clients engaged in the pro bono process.

Tina Dahl

Tina Dahl is an experienced production manager and has brought her management experience to six successful Taproot Service Grants.

Kevin Ramon

Kevin Ramon Is a brand strategist with more than a decade of marketing experience and has provided his expertise on four Service Grants.

Alicia Casili

Alicia Casili has successfully completed three Taproot Service Grants.  As a project manager, she has been unfailingly positive and has helped to guide even challenging projects to completion.