By Debbie Knepke, NPC Corporate and Events Manager

Each June, Morgan Stanley encourages every employee to participate in the firm’s Global Volunteer Month, with a goal of 250,000 volunteer hours contributed during the month.

In the Milwaukee area, local employees participated in three group events this year:

• Vince Lombardi Golf Classic (volunteering)
  
• Lombardi Walk/Run for Cancer (team participation)
  
• Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin (food sorting and a $25,000 company donation)
  

In addition, many of the 160 local employees volunteer on their own through their churches, children’s sports teams, and other activities.

Morgan Stanley has been a corporate supporter of the Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee and member of NPC's Greater Milwaukee Business Volunteer Council since 2005, and credits the relationship as a big boost to company volunteerism.

“Morgan Stanley does not have a designated staff person in charge of employee volunteer projects in Milwaukee, so the support we receive from the Nonprofit Center’s Business Volunteer Council is invaluable,” said Morgan Stanley Vice President Daniel J. Geigler.

“For example, the Center provides pre-packaged volunteer opportunities that our employees can plug into,” Geigler said. “And, at the BVC meetings, we learn from other local business leaders, share ideas on managing a volunteer team, and hear about new and exciting initiatives in Milwaukee.”

Company policy allows for unlimited paid time off for volunteer initiatives sponsored by Morgan Stanley, an employee matching gifts program that matches 25% as part of an annual appeal, and a Volunteer Incentive Program in which each employee may apply for a $500-$2,000 annual grant for organizations they volunteer at for at least 50 hours per year.
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To learn more about corporate volunteerism and the Business Volunteer Council of Greater Milwaukee, email Debbie Knepke or give her a call at 414-344-3933 x152.