Dell Expands Global Philanthropic Efforts

Dell today launched an enhanced global philanthropic strategy providing additional support for education and digital inclusion initiatives the company considers essential to ensuring the next generation’s success in the Connected Era.

• Launches Dell YouthConnect Initiative focused on education and digital inclusion
• Increases giving focus on the world’s “emerging countries”
• Sets goal of being a “one-percent company” by 2010
  

“The next billion Internet users coming online will largely live in emerging countries, such as Brazil, Russia, India and China,” said Michael Dell, chairman and CEO of Dell. “Our new giving strategy is rightly focused on equipping youth in these areas, and around the world, for success.”

Mr. Dell spoke at a conference in London today on the IT development of emerging countries, where technology adoption is skyrocketing. For example, the Asia-Pacific region (excluding Japan) along with other emerging areas such as Latin America, Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East will account for about 59 percent of global PC volume by 2012, up from 48 percent in 2007, according to IDC.

One-Percent Company

Dell plans to increase overall corporate giving to a level of one percent of company pre-tax profits by the beginning of the company’s fiscal year 2011, which begins in February 2010.

The company’s planned efforts will include Dell corporate cash and in-kind giving and employee directed giving. As the company ramps giving to meet its new targets, new corporate giving will be focused on emerging countries around the world.

“Corporate giving, when conceived and structured like Dell’s global YouthConnect initiative, creates a win-win scenario for business and the public,” said Charles Moore, executive director of the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy. “Dell’s increased giving and focus on a social area they are well equipped to address, education and digital inclusion, will have a meaningful and positive impact, particularly in emerging countries.”

Dell will maintain a commitment to company and employee support of non-profit organizations in Dell communities around the globe in addition to these new efforts.

YouthConnect Global Initiative

The way people connect and communicate is changing and Dell recognizes that education and access to technology resources are critical to success in the new Connected Era. Dell YouthConnect will direct corporate giving to organizations in emerging countries that promote education, and incorporate math, science, literacy and/or technology skills development for youth aged up to 17.

Dell will direct increased giving in the company’s current fiscal year to India. Today the company issued a request for proposals to non-profit and non-governmental organizations in Indian cities where Dell has a presence. Eligible organizations may apply for one-year grants of up to $500,000 USD per project, with a vision to longer term funding after tracking performance metrics during the pilot period. Dell plans to expand giving in other emerging countries in coming years.