Time Warner Cable of Rochester
Philanthropy & Community Support Guidelines
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Our Commitment
Time Warner Cable has a long-standing history of community involvement giving back to the communities in which we live, work, and serve is a priority for us. We are actively involved in the community in a variety of ways that are important to our customers. Over the years we’ve supported significant social issues that are important to the residents of our service area and hundreds of non-profit organizations. For us, it’s time well spent. Time Warner Cable gives back to the communities we serve by supporting organizations and programs that focus on Arts, Education, and Youth. Focusing on these areas allows us to unlock a world of possibilities and play an active role in setting the groundwork for many in our service areas to have richer and fuller lives. We believe that empowering youth is the best means of preparing young adults for the next step in their lives. Time Warner Cable’s philanthropy is based upon strategic partnerships and provides financial grants, media sponsorships, in-kind support and complimentary cable television air time.
Our Priorities
Time Warner Cable is dedicated to using the power of media, communications and information technology to serve the public interest and strengthen society. However, rather than simply providing grant monies or funding unsolicited requests, we prefer to enter into sustainable strategic partnerships with organizations that have a demonstrated commitment to pioneering innovative ways of meeting our organization’s three philanthropic priorities.
Time Warner Cable believes that cable broadband, communications and information technology have an unlimited potential to empower communities and improve people's lives around the world -- and we are committed to unleashing that potential. The Rochester Division of Time Warner Cable shares this corporate vision by focusing on building innovative programs in three priority areas:
Connecting Kids to Education
Connecting Kids to the Arts
Connecting Kids
Eligibility
Primarily, we develop partnerships with organizations that echo our objectives. We support local groups that have documented success and benefit our communities and customers. Organizations must have 501(c)(3) tax exempt status of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Organizations must be in compliance with the Equal Employment Opportunities Act and other federal, state and local laws and regulations.
Volunteers
Requests for employee volunteers are reviewed by a committee of employees and should be submitted two months in advance of the event.
Public Service Announcements
Requests for media sponsorships (public service announcements or PSAs) must be made in writing. Public Service announcements are generally run in conjunction with a pre approved event or other sponsorship. Any PSA’s must be received in a timely manner in keeping the sponsorship agreement.
Proposals
Requests for contributions must be made in writing on the form below and should include the following information:
General Information:
- Agency/Organization
- Contact information
- Program Objective
Timetable:
Project Background:
- Current status of project
- Individuals or organizations served – detail data
- Other sponsors involved
Proposed Opportunity for Involvement:
- Summary of opportunity
- Why should Time Warner Cable get involved?
- Exposure opportunities – Benefits to Time Warner
- Expectations of Time Warner Cable
Areas of Exclusion
Time Warner Cable does not support individuals, political organizations, labor organizations, religious organizations, fraternal organizations, school athletic organizations, requests to support travel expenses for groups or individuals, individual scholarship funds, capital campaigns (bricks and mortar), programs outside our service area, member agencies supported by United Way, or organizations that currently receive grants or support from Time Warner Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Exceptions to these guidelines are made on occasion at the discretion of the Vice President of Public Affairs.
Screening Process
We consider a number of criteria in the selection process. Our primary concerns are whether:
• the group has a well-defined purpose that is within the scope of our key priorities,
• the organization is located within our service area,
• the organization will be a good strategic partner.
We consider various questions before making a determination to support the group at any level. Examples include:
• Where is the organization located and whom does it serve?
• How does it compare with other organizations seeking funds for the same type of endeavor?
§ Is there a real need for this program?
• Have we contributed to this organization before? If so, how will we build on our success?
• What is the reputation and performance of the organization and its Board of Directors?
• Is the amount to be raised commensurate with the needs of the program?
• Who has contributed to the organization and who are the prospective co-partners?
• Is there a plan for growing our relationship?
• Does the proposed project offer opportunities for awareness of our involvement?
• Can the organization or proposed project achieve positive social impact by bringing people together to strengthen the community?
Time Warner Cable receives hundreds of requests for support each year. In response to the overwhelming amount of requests for support from non-profit organizations, Time Warner Cable has created a Contribution Application Process. Our community outreach includes employee volunteers, contributions and in-kind donations including public service announcements (PSAs) on cable networks. Additionally, we provide a free cable/Internet connection and commercial-free educational programming to more than 500 schools in our service area through Cable in the Classroom. If support is declined, it is not a reflection on the organization. Rather, it is based on meeting our strategic goals and developing partnerships with organizations that make the most sense for us and our customers. Our resources are varied but limited, and we do our best to review all proposals as swiftly as possible. Please allow up two weeks to receive a written response. Time Warner Cable is unable to acknowledge receipt of all unsolicited funding requests.
Please note: Organizations funded
by Time Warner Cable are welcome to reapply annually. If your
organization has previously received a grant from Time Warner Cable, please
include a one-page summary of the results of our previous support. Proposals
are reviewed on an annual basis and all requesting organizations will receive a
written confirmation of the company’s decision on the request. Please do
not call to find out if your proposal has been received or to follow up on its
status.
The following application process should be utilized for all requests for cash and in-kind resources. Time Warner Cable’s cash contributions generally range in size from $500 to $10,000.
How to Reach Us
Formal proposals should fill out the form below which is sent directly to Time Warner Cable. Verbal or vague proposals are not accepted. Submissions should be completely fill in the form below include a detailed description of the organization.
