One of Exact Sciences’ longest running traditions is the annual United Way fundraising campaign. This is the one time each year Exact Sciences employees have the opportunity to support local organizations, and receive a company match for each dollar donated. We choose to run our campaign through the United Way because they work directly with local organizations in our communities to create lasting change to social inequities – not only in the United States, but also around the world.
Our 2020 campaign was a record-breaking a campaign of firsts. Here’s a look at the impact of our employees and teams.
FIRST virtual campaign
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our entire campaign moved online for the first time ever. In typical years, employees would have the opportunity to take part in special onsite events such as bake sales and volunteering days. Instead, the 2020 campaign offered virtual team events including an employee-led drawing class and music concert.
The Exact Sciences team stretches across the United States and around the world. To celebrate this, the campaign’s theme, “Expedition: Explore Your Impact,” took employees on a virtual tour of the local work of United Way chapters representing Exact Sciences’ office locations in Madison, Redwood City, San Diego, Salt Lake City, and Phoenix.
FIRST time to $1 million
Throughout the campaign, employees can direct monetary donations to specific causes or organizations in the communities where they live. Donations made during the campaign receive a dollar per dollar match from the company. We are thrilled that for the first time ever, our team directed over $1 million to the United Way and its partner organizations. Since the beginning of our partnership in 2009, Exact Sciences has donated over $3.3 million to United Way through corporate and employee giving and special event sponsorships.
FIRST year volunteering was incorporated into campaign
New this year, employees could participate in the campaign through the giving of time. Exact Sciences employees receive 16 hours of paid “volunteer time off” per calendar year to give their time to an organization that supports the well-being of the community. During a year unlike any other, volunteering can provide much-needed assistance to community organizations facing new challenges. Eighty employees chose to give their time through the campaign this year, with many opting for virtual volunteering opportunities.
Exact Sciences’ 2020 United Way campaign came at a critical time, when our communities are facing new challenges and unprecedented levels of need due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re very proud of the impact our team made this year and our team’s ongoing commitment to the communities in which we live and work.