2011 Nonprofit PR Awards: Partner of the Year

The Siemens Foundation, an organization focused on supporting educational initiatives in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), partnered with Discovery Education, a leading provider of curriculum-based digital resources for educators and parents, in an effort to improve student achievement in STEM subjects. Students were encouraged to develop solutions to environmental problems in their schools and communities. For educators, the Siemens STEM Academy was launched to provide hands-on and multimedia professional development opportunities empowering teachers to improve STEM education for students nationwide. For this partnership, Web-based programs, webinars and social network promotions were deployed to effectively reach target audiences. “To be successful nowadays, communicators have to come up with new, innovative tools to better inform and engage their audiences,” says Christina Scripps, manager of publicity for Discovery Communications.

Engineers Without Borders - Enhancing engineering through humanitarianism: CH2M HILL and EWB-USA Partnership Program: As with any strategic business/NGO partnership, CH2M HILL and Engineers Without Borders-USA (EWB-USA) entered into a partnership with the goal of creating mutually beneficial outcomes. Since launching the partnership, global engineering and construction company CH2M HILL has strengthened its brand, aligned with a reputable organization with a shared mission and vision and leveraged the partnership to attract, develop and retain a highly skilled and diverse global engineering workforce. For EWB-USA, a small grassroots nonprofit, the union has not only earned it reliable corporate funding and increased membership from professional engineers, it has helped in building its systems and programs.