Voices

EY named 2015 finalist for U.S. Chamber Foundation's 'Corporate Citizenship Award'

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation announced on Tuesday that EY has been named a finalist in the 2015 Corporate Citizenship Awards under the "Best Commitment to Education Program" category, alongside Accenture and the GE Foundation.

The 2015 Citizens Awards encompass eight categories that honor corporate citizenship best practices. The Best Commitment to Education Program category is for companies that exemplify the ability of the business sector to engage effectively in communities to improve educational outcomes for students. The winner for this category will be selected by a committee of experts in the field of corporate citizenship.

“The purpose of the global EY organization is building a better working world," said Deborah K. Holmes, EY Americas Director of Corporate Responsibility, in a statement. "One important way we fulfill that purpose is by investing in education so that future generations have the skills required for societies to thrive.” “We are honored to be recognized for our commitment to education, particularly through the Ernst & Young LLP College MAP (Mentoring for Access and Persistence) program. And we’re incredibly proud of the students and mentors that helped us get here. Since 2009, more than 1,100 high school students and more than 800 EY mentors have participated in the program, which helps underserved students apply for and succeed in higher education. What started off as a tiny program has blossomed into a national effort across 30 cities! We’ve awarded almost $450,000 in scholarships this year alone and we’re so excited to see what the upcoming academic year will bring.”

“EY’s commitment to education and mentoring has produced impressive results. For example, the national high school graduation rate for low-income minority students hovers around 50%. However, 90% of College MAP students nationwide graduate from high school and matriculate to colleges and universities or promising trade and military careers,” stated Marc DeCourcey, vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center. “EY is a prime example of how businesses can play a vital role in filling the mentoring gap and engaging in their communities.”

The winners of the 2015 Citizens Awards will be announced on October 6 at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Learn more about the awards program here.

For more on EY's Corporate Responsibility efforts, head to their site here.

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