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Harbinger Receives Contribution to Society Award from Massachusetts Interactive Media Council

Posted: June 19, 2003

This news clip is from Harbinger Partners, before it joined forces
with the Corporate Volunteer Network to become Common Impact.

Harbinger Partners, a not-for-profit corporation based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was chosen to receive the 2003 Contribution to Society award from the Massachusetts Interactive Media Council (MIMC), revealed yesterday. MIMC, New England's premier association for businesses leveraging the Internet and related technologies, announced the winners of its Sixth Annual Leadership Awards at a gala ceremony last night at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge.

Harbinger Partners enables nonprofit and for-profit corporations to work together in mutually beneficial partnerships. Specifically, Harbinger Partners helps nonprofit organizations more effectively employ technology strategically while expanding the reach of corporate philanthropy. Through its innovative model, Harbinger Partners connects the resources of the for-profit sector (for-profit employees with expertise in information technology) to the service focus of the nonprofit sector (a deep understanding of the community's needs and ways to address these needs).

Since its founding in 2000, Harbinger Partners has worked with leading corporations such as Cisco Systems, Fidelity Investments, and State Street Corporation to meet its mission, and strengthened such non-profit organizations as Generations Incorporated, Peace Games, and the Massachusetts Association for the Blind. The organization has had significant success to date, creating a highly leveraged model that yields nearly a 7:1 return on investment. Nonprofits realize these results in myriad ways, such as time saved by the automation of rote processes, the implementation of new systems, and the creation of relationships with new technically skilled volunteers.

"Receiving the Contribution to Society Award from MIMC honors the work that our nonprofit clients and technology volunteers do day-in-and-day-out to make our communities safer, stronger, and healthier," said Theresa M. Ellis, Executive Director of Harbinger Partners. "This award provides critical recognition to the power of task-based philanthropy and the importance of technology in the nonprofit sector."

About MIMC

Founded in 1996, MIMC is dedicated to accelerating business opportunities and professional development for its more than 2,500 members throughout New England. Originally serving established and emerging technology companies MIMC has broadened its focus and attracted leading edge companies and individuals from a variety of industries including financial services and healthcare.

MIMC offers numerous forums, promotional opportunities, and award recognition programs for companies of all sizes and in all stages of growth. With more than 50 events each year, MIMC provides its membership with a venue to promote their company to highly targeted audiences through sponsorships, speaking and networking opportunities.

About Harbinger Partners

In June 2006, Harbinger Partners joined forces with the Corporate Volunteer Network to become Common Impact.

Founded in 2000 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Common Impact develops and implements skills-based volunteering programs that pair business professionals from leading companies with high-potential local nonprofits addressing crucial after-school, housing, and community health care needs. Through its innovative model, Common Impact channels untapped resources into the nonprofit sector and fosters relationships that bridge the for-profit and nonprofit worlds.

Since its founding in 2000, Common Impact has worked with leading companies including Fidelity Investments, BEA Systems, CA, Cisco Systems, and State Street Corporation, achieving a 7:1 social return on investment.

For more information, please contact Lesley Edwards, Vice President of Partnerships, Common Impact (e-mail: ledwards@commonimpact.org, phone: 617-868-1014).

About Common Impact

Common Impact is a nonprofit organization that connects skilled professionals from global companies to high-potential local nonprofits. Our employee engagement programs match employee-volunteers with nonprofits that need help overcoming key business challenges. This innovative approach to corporate community service enables companies to realize a positive return on their social investment while building stronger teams and developing employee skills. At the same time, this access to private sector talent enables nonprofits to amplify their impact on the constituents they serve. Ultimately, our work helps foster stronger communities wherever those companies operate. Further information can be found at http://www.commonimpact.org/.

For more information, please contact Lesley Edwards, Vice President of Partnerships, Common Impact (e-mail: ledwards@commonimpact.org, phone: 617-868-1014).