In June, Ernst & Young LLP challenged their leaders in a new way. Not content to just be auditors and business advisers to some of the world’s most powerful companies, or consistently being rated a “best place to work” by publications ranging from Fortune to Working Mother Magazine, they thought up yet another way to distinguish themselves as out of the box thinkers!
At the Mid-Atlantic Partner, Principal, Executive Director and Director’s (PPEDD) meeting, Ernst & Young challenged their PPEDDs from its Baltimore, Greater Washington, Philadelphia and Richmond offices to support DonorsChoose.org in their respective communities through its first-ever School Is Cool Challenge, which pitted the four locations against each other in a friendly competition for a great cause. The three-day challenge has already benefited nearly 2,000 students. All this leads up to their “Cares Day” in September, where all Mid-Atlantic Ernst & Young personnel have the opportunity to do hands-on service in local public schools, as well as local parks, the USO, YMCAs and a host of other deserving not-for-profit agencies.
So who won the first stage of the challenge? Don’t let the numbers fool you: the Baltimore office’s four donors comprised 20% of their PPEDDs, solidly earning bragging rights. What will happen in the months ahead as the challenge gets rolled out to entire offices? Check back in at the School is Cool Challenge to keep tabs on them!
On a personal level, as a former Ernst & Young employee, it was delightful for me to work with them on such an innovative, creative partnership.
Thanks, Ernst & Young, for caring about schools, and being cool!
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