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AT&T currently holds the title of #1 Corporate Philanthropist in the Bay Area as ranked last year by the San Francisco Business Times. It’s clear the company takes seriously the responsibilities of being a good corporate citizen, developing and retaining great talent, and consistently investing in areas that will help strengthen communities. So it’s also a natural fit that the company has became one of Full Circle Fund’s newest corporate partners. AT&T’s commitment to citizenship and sustainability is not new, however; it has been a part of the company’s heritage for more than 130 years.

“With a company of AT&T’s size, we know we have the potential to have a real impact on the communities we serve. But our decisions must have purpose,” explains Loretta Walker, Vice President of External Affairs for AT&T, “Full Circle Fund’s unique, proven model helps leverage the talent of our employees for the benefit of nonprofit organizations in issue areas that are aligned with our company’s sustainability initiatives, such as education and minimizing our environmental impact.”

Through the partnership, AT&T employees Derrick Wong and Aaron McDaniel have become Full Circle Fund Members and are serving on project teams in the Education and Environment Circles. Derrick is helping the environmental organization Green Schools refine their business model in preparation for the rollout of a statewide, locally implemented green schools certification program.

In the Education Circle, Aaron is working with Beyond 12, an organization building an innovative support system to increase college completion for low income students who will be the first in their family to earn a college degree. These projects are aligned with AT&T’s commitment to making an impact on the educational and future economic success of underserved youth and towards more sustainable practices in energy consumption and environmental sustainability.

Says Full Circle Fund’s CEO, Amy Lesnick,

“As an organization, we look for corporate partners who are committed to investing in innovative solutions that make a sustainable difference in our local community and in the world. Full Circle Fund is excited to be able to help AT&T extend its impact by leveraging the creative energy and skills of its employees to support innovative non-profits, while at the same time cultivating the next generation of community leaders.”

When AT&T talks about “sustainability,” though, they’re not just talking about the environment. They organize their sustainability initiative into six focus areas: Strengthening Communities, Investing in People, Leading With Integrity, Minimizing Environmental Impact, Connecting People and Business, and Leading Innovation and Technology. These issues embody their commitment to making their business and communities stronger well into the future. In July 2010, the San Francisco Business Times (a media partner of Full Circle Fund) will announce the 2009 top Corporate Philanthropists and AT&T is sure to be on the list.

Posted in AT&T, Derrick Wong, Aaron McDaniel, Beyond 12, Green Schools Initiative, Corporate Philanthropy Summit & Awards, spotlight, environment, San Francisco Business Times, corporate supporter, education