The campaign goal of 1,000 items was exceeded three-fold, with nearly 4,000 items and more than $2,600 collected. Dress for Success, with chapters across the U.S. and Canada,promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support, and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and life.
"The results we have when our employees commit themselves to a project amaze me," said Pascal Houillon, CEO of Sage North America. "I had faith we'd meet our goal of collecting 1,000 items for Dress for Success, but I'm thrilled to have beaten that goal by more than three times. Our efforts were companywide. Two of our executives made cash donations and challenged their colleagues to do the same. We even had an employee challenge a neighboring company to match our 1,000 item goal."
Sage served as the official sponsor of AFP Gives Back, a service project for Dress for Success held in conjunction with last month's Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) International Conference on Fundraising. During the conference, Sage sponsored a Dress for Success clothing drive, where hundreds of items were donated.
"Before the campaign had officially begun, our office had already collected more than 400 items for Dress for Success," said Dona Duncan, a Sage employee in Scottsdale, Ariz., and former Dress for Success volunteer. "I know how important looking your best is, especially in an interview situation. As a former Dress for Success volunteer, I know these clothing, accessory, and monetary donations will help give women the confidence they need to get the jobs they want."
With four focus areas - industry, people, community, and environment - the Sage Cares CSR program encompasses the company's giving activities, sustainability commitments, and focus on helping to build entrepreneurship and small business acumen. Sage Cares is dedicated to supporting the talents and passions of the company's employees to help strengthen small and midsized businesses (SMBs) and nonprofits, with the ultimate goal of building and sustaining healthy communities.
About Sage
Sage is a leading global supplier of business management software and services for small and midsized businesses. The Sage Group plc, formed in 1981, was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989 and now employs more than 12,300 people and supports more than 6 million customers worldwide. For more information about Sage in North America, please visit the company website at www.NA.Sage.com.
