CORPORATIONS/FOUNDATIONS

Most of us cringe as we make our monthly credit card payments. Maybe it's time to get some revenge (in a positive, philanthropic sense). The links below take you directly to the pages describing giving programs at these companies. Many provide easy access to their grant application process, but a few seem to prefer to keep you guessing. Giving programs are usually found under the link entitled About the Company.

CONTENTS:

• American Express
• Capital One
• CitiBank
• Discover Card/Morgan Stanley
• HSBC
• JPMorgan Chase/Bank One
• Master Card
• MBNA
• Providian and Washington Mutual
• Visa

AMERICAN EXPRESS

The American Express Philanthropic Program has three major program areas: Economic Independence, Heritage and Community Service. Its World Monuments Fund supports conservation efforts at the "100 Most Endangered Sites" in the world. The American Express Performing Arts Fund helps major performing arts organizations develop and sustain a broader audience base.

http://home3.americanexpress.com/corp/giving_back.asp

CAPITAL ONE

Capital One focuses on improving the lives of children and families in need and on revitalizing neighborhoods.

http://www.capitalone.com/about/community/inthecommunity/grants.shtml?
linkid=WWW_Z_Z_Z_ICOM_C1_03_T_IGRT

CITIBANK

In 2004, Citigroup and the Citigroup Foundation announced a 10-year, $200 million commitment to financial education. Over the years, the foundation has focused on Financial Education, Educating the Next Generation, and Building Communities and Entrepreneurs. While the foundation will continue to support these programs vigorously, its broader initiative with Citigroup puts Financial Education at the top of its agenda.

http://www.citigroup.com/citigroup/citizen/philanthropy/index.htm

DISCOVER CARD/MORGAN STANLEY

Discover Card rewards "exemplary accomplishments" of high school juniors with scholarships through its Tribute Award Scholarship program. It also sponsors programs for card members who may wish to donate their Cashback Bonus awards to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Make-A-Wish Foundation or to Junior Achievement.

http://www.discoverfinancial.com/data/philanthropy/

HSBC

HSBC directs its efforts to programs in the communities in which it operates. It supports education, particularly for disadvantaged young people, and environmental programs. It is not clear if, or how, you can apply for funding.

http://www.hsbc.com/hsbc/society

JPMORGAN CHASE/ BANK ONE

JPMorgan and Bank One will continue to work with thousands of not-for-profits across the U.S. and in global markets to make an impact in three primary areas of need:

• Community asset development: encouraging, sustaining and developing economic self-reliance
• Youth education: enhancing educational initiatives for public education, from early childhood programs to pre-collegiate schooling
• Community life: enriching communities with sponsorships and events focused on arts and culture.

http://www.jpmorganchase.com/cm/cs?
pagename=Chase/Href&urlname=jpmc/community/grants

or

http://www.bankone.com/answers/BolAnswersSeg.aspx?
top=all&segment=ABO&topic=CorporateContributions

MASTER CARD

MasterCard is committed to promoting education as the major tool for economic self-sufficiency to help build strong, sustainable communities. Its giving efforts are directed to youth education and technology. MasterCard supports nonprofits that help young people access education, understand and utilize technology, to enable them to succeed in a diverse and global workforce.

http://www.mastercardinternational.com/corporategiving.html

MBNA

The MBNA Foundation strives to improve the quality and availability of education through grants and scholarships. It helps local organizations that support learning and promotion of the arts and supports programs assisting the less fortunate in its communities.

http://www.mbna.com/about/foundation/index.html

PROVIDIAN AND WASHINGTON MUTUAL

Providian contributes primarily to child care and consumer financial literacy, with priority given to programs that benefit low and moderate income individuals. WaMu (Washington Mutual) focuses on education and affordable housing.

http://www.providiancares.com/index.htm

VISA

In 2004, Visa International and GlobalGiving, a global philanthropic exchange founded by former executives of the World Bank, launched a partnership to enhance the efficiency of funding entrepreneurial social and economic development. Their creation, The Global Giving Alliance, is a worldwide, Web-based philanthropic exchange that provides a virtual marketplace for projects and donors, optimizing the collection and distribution of donations.

http://www.globalgiving.com

In addition, Visa has been a sponsor of the Olympic Games since 1986 and has provided millions of dollars worldwide in direct support to Olympic athletes. It is the leading global sponsor of the Paralympic Games.

http://www.corporate.visa.com/av/partnerships.jsp

Beverly Goodwin

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