Nearly 24 years ago, Deb Sull began her career at VML. Now a Senior Experience Designer at the leading marketing agency headquartered in Kansas City, Deb has been an enthusiastic supporter and member of the VML Foundation since its founding in 2005. The VML Foundation, administered by the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation’s national entity, Greater Horizons, has awarded over $3.3 million in grants to the communities where VML employees live and work.
“I served on the advisory board for seven years until I decided to step down to make room for a new employee to see behind the scenes of the VML Foundation,” Deb says. “It was such an easy choice to join the VML Foundation and the fact that it’s funded by VML employees makes the experience more special.”
VML employees are invited to join the VML Foundation from their very first day on the job as part of their immersive onboarding experience, and for many of them, it turns out to be a highlight of their career. To join the VML Foundation, employees are asked to commit to deducting a minimum of just $5 from each paycheck to fund the Foundation. As the primary funders of the fund, employees have ownership over what causes to support.
Since the agency’s founding in 1992, community involvement has remained in the mindset of the passion and mission of the organization. The VML Foundation serves as an umbrella program that covers multiple giving initiatives, including employee giving, community leadership, pro bono work and volunteering.
Each time a VML Foundation member donates to a 501(c)(3) charity, the VML Foundation gives a match of $2 for every $1. The VML Foundation also grants money to nonprofit organizations which VML employees have a tangible connection. Greater Horizons is proud to administer both VML Foundation’s matching gift and grant programs.
“Our mantra is ‘start small.’ We have many long-standing VML traditions that have been around a long time, and each of them has started small,” says John Mulvihill, Executive Director of the VML Foundation. “We listen to employees and try a lot of different things. Some of them stick, and slowly but surely, they grow into big programs and traditions. It also allows for new ideas to be brought forward every year.”
One of VML’s most steadfast and popular traditions is Foundation Month. Each September, employees from around the globe focus even more on volunteering and giving back to their communities. The month culminates in VML Worldwide Foundation Day, where VML offices around the world close for the day for employees to spend the day volunteering.
“I have served as a site lead on Foundation Day for many years now,” Deb says. “One of my favorite Foundation Day projects was working with Kansas City Parks and Recreation building bike trails in Kessler Park. We paved 2.5 miles of bike trails that day.”
Giving back goes beyond Foundation Day at VML. Pro bono work allows employees to support nonprofits with their best talent: providing creative services to organizations in communities across the country. VML employees are encouraged to support community efforts not only through pro bono work but also through volunteer roles. Employees can also take advantage of the Community Leadership Placement program, a matchmaking service provided by VML that connects employees to community organizations that need volunteers, board members and committee members. Additionally, volunteer “power hours” give employees volunteer time off each month to give back to the organizations that matter most to them as individuals, all while remaining on the clock.
“Our client partners see us walking the walk and being stewards in our communities, and in turn, they choose to trust us with their cause-oriented marketing,” John Mulvihill says. “This impact on our business is a neat outgrowth of our overall commitment. It’s not why we give back, but it’s a beautiful by-product of our dedication to bettering our communities.”
VML’s corporate giving programs are a win-win for everyone involved – including potential employees.
“More and more, people are demanding that corporate social responsibility aspect in their career,” says Lauren Ziegler, Associate Director of the VML Foundation. “We put a big focus on the VML Foundation in our hiring process because it’s a great added benefit for candidates and it’s becoming more important as younger people enter the workforce. Many VML Foundation programs are led by younger employees who are looking for leadership opportunities or ways to develop their career outside their department.”
For VML employees just beginning their careers, the VML Foundation offers an opportunity to get involved and give back from their very first day on the job. For employees like Deb, membership and involvement in the VML Foundation provide a meaningful experience throughout their entire careers. We are proud to support the VML Foundation’s commitment to giving back and making a difference.
“John and I are able to focus on all the fun stuff because Greater Horizons is a reliable source that will invest the funds, cut the checks, do the tax letters and all the administrative work on the back end,” Lauren Ziegler says. “This allows our team to focus on the personal outreach and face-to-face opportunities. It’s a huge responsibility to carry – it’s such an investment of our agency and it’s so important that we cultivate an impactful and rewarding experience for each employee – with help from Greater Horizons, the VML Foundation allows us to do just that.”
If your company would like to create or expand a corporate giving program or establish a corporate foundation, contact LaVon Colhour by email or call 816.627.3400.