The
International Community Foundation recognizes Sempra
Energy as Philanthropist of the Year in 2005
May 11, 2005
The International
Community Foundation (ICF) will recognize Sempra Energy
as its 2005 Philanthropist of the Year for its leadership
and commitment toward charitable giving along Mexico’s
northern border. The award presentation will take place
at ICF’s annual gala on the evening of Saturday,
May 14th at the San Diego Sheraton Hotel.
Sempra’s partnership
with ICF began in 2000, when Sempra Energy created the
International Community Investment Fund at ICF to research
and make grants to local nonprofits making a difference
in their communities. In just five years, Sempra Energy
has funded over 57 grants totaling more than 1.3 million
dollars through their donor advised fund at ICF, setting
an extraordinary example of what corporate social responsibility
is all about. Sempra’s philosophy is to participate
in the communities where it conducts business, and for
that reason it has supported projects in Baja California,
Chihuahua, and Coahuila, Mexico; as well as Canada and
Indonesia. These projects have also benefited from Sempra’s
employee matching program and the voluntary efforts
of local employees.
Through Sempra Energy’s
fund at ICF, a wide range of educational projects have
been funded, including their generous support for the
local children’s science museum, Museo Sol del
Niño, in Mexicali, which provides science education
to over 10,000 visitors a year. Currently, Sempra Energy
is sponsoring high school students to take advanced
science and math courses at the CETYS Universidad in
Ensenada to better prepare them for university and encourage
the study of math and science. They have also supported
Fundación para la Protección de la Niñez
in their donation of school supplies for children in
Tecate. In 2003, Sempra was part of a diverse group
of funders that helped to promote conservation management
of Isla Espiritu Santo in the Sea of Cortez and to ensure
that the island remains a protected area. Also in 2003
after the devastating wildfires in San Diego and Ensenada,
Sempra supported local micro-enterprises to restart
their businesses. Earlier this year Sempra granted $300,000
to the Indonesian Red Cross to support their relief
efforts for Tsunami victims. And the list continues.
As ICF’s President
and CEO, Richard Kiy stated, “the commitment that
Sempra Energy is putting forth to assist in the development
of overseas communities is a clear example that corporate
social responsibility beyond our immediate communities
is becoming vital.”
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ICF is a 501(c)(3) public charity committed to providing
leadership and strategically focused guidance to U.S.
donors who want to contribute to worthwhile non-profit
groups and other charitable organizations throughout
the Americas and Asia in the areas of education, health,
human services, community development, the environment
and arts and culture. Established in 1990 through the
vision of the San Diego Foundation (TSDF), ICF is now
an independent entity, which maintains a strong relationship
to its founder. For more information visit: www.icfdn.org
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Sempra Energy was created in 1998 by a merger of parent
companies of two long-established, and highly respected,
investor-owned utilities with rich histories dating
back more than 100 years. They were founded to capitalize
on new opportunities in competitive energy markets.
Their ongoing focus is to enhance shareholder value
and meet customer needs by sustaining the financial
strength, operational flexibility and skilled workforce
needed to succeed in rapidly changing market conditions.
Sempra is a Fortune 500 energy-services company, based
in San Diego, Calif., that combines deep industry expertise
with rigorous risk management when we evaluate market
opportunities. The result has been superior shareholder
returns. In 2004, they produced revenues of $9.4 billion.
Contact:
Julieta Mendez
Office: 858-677-2913
Julieta@icfdn.org
