Vertical Bridge REIT, LLC announced yesterday that it has surpassed $9.5 million in cash donations and 5,100 hours of volunteer time since launching its employee-managed community philanthropy program, Vertical Bridge Charitable Network (VBCN), in 2014.
In 2022, VBCN gave more than $2 million to over 145 organizations, including $125,000 to Hurricane Ian relief efforts, $140,000 to Music Movement to support children and young adults with autism, and over $100,000 to Habitat for Humanity. VBCN also partnered with DonorsChoose.org, providing employees the opportunity to donate more than $50,000 to school projects of their choice.
“Giving back to the communities where we live and work has always been one of Vertical Bridge’s core values,” said President/COO Ron Bizick. “We’re proud of our employees’ continuing commitment to drive these efforts and empower them to support causes that are important to them and their community.”
VBCN held its first annual National Volunteer Week in April 2022, giving employees a chance to choose from a number of volunteer opportunities. The team also joined together to help feed individuals and families by volunteering with Meals of Hope and Empty Bowls of Naples during the company’s all-employee meeting in July.
“In September 2022, Hurricane Ian hit our home state of Florida unbelievably hard, and VBCN immediately took action to assist with recovery efforts,” said CEO and Co-Founder Alex Gellman. “We are committed to continuing our community outreach to support those impacted. When there’s a need, our team will always step up to help.”
To help alleviate the devastation in Florida from these storms, VBCN added several non-profits to its recipient’s list, including World Central Kitchen, Farm Share Inc., YMCA of Englewood and the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida.
VBCN also has long supported many other non-profits, including Warriors4Wireless, Tower Family Foundation, South Florida Audubon Society, and DigDeep, which brings clean running water to families in the Navajo Nation. Since its inception, VBCN has donated time and money to more than 740 meaningful causes.
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