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Technology Stocks : DELL: Facts, Stats, News and Analysis -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: jbn3 who wrote (234)	12/7/1998 3:36:00 PM
From: jbn3	Respond to of 335

Dell matures as corporate citizen" Sunday, November 1, 1998 -Part III (final)- from Austin American-Statesman, Sunday, November 1, page H1 $13 million arts gift reflects awareness of community role by Jerry Mahoney, American-Statesman Staff The Dell Foundation focuses on the arts, education and health and human services. Those areas were chosen in a poll of Dell employees, who serve on the foundation's committees and evaluate requests for money. For the foundation, helping the children of Central Texas is the overarching guideline for giving, Green said. The foundation's focus on philanthropy and children and its modest endowment, a $5 million loan from the company in 1995, leave plenty of opportunity for the corporation and its executives. When it comes to direct corporate gifts such as the $100,000 sponsorship of the Trail of Lights Festival last year, Dell makes sure its support is made public. "The corporation is interested in seeing Dell's name on a poster," said Green, whose corporate duties include overseeing the legal and human resources departments. "The foundation is interested in seeing that the kids who need help get help, and if there is a poster we may or may not have our name on it. It's entirely secondary. Benefits to the giver Beyond the obvious contribution that fine arts and the performing arts make to a region's quality of life, Dell executives point out that such amenities help recruit executives and mangers. "We do run into that issue in recruiting into Central Texas" from Silicon Valley and Boston, Green said. And even the altruism that guides the Dell foundation has practical features for Dell, in that the children it helps will grow up to be consumers and potential employees. "Looking at the entity that funded us, the company, we were able to say sincerely that it's the next generation of computer buyers," said Green, the foundation's chairman. "And making sure that they've got an interest in technology is a good thing." Michael Dell said the company's hopes for Austin parallel leaders' goals to make Austin a well-rounded community that offers fine arts and cares for disadvantaged residents. "Whether it is direct giving from the company and Dell Foundation, Dell executive philanthropy, or employee volunteerism, it is clear to us that supporting world-class quality-of-life opportunities in greater Austin will benefit us all," he said. Watson noted that Dell's success has helped Austin evolve from a college town dependent on government to "a focal point of the worldwide technology economy." It follow, he said, that the company can play a major role in the region's civic and cultural affairs. "Frankly, I see them stepping up to that . They're not only able, but willing, to be that kind of citizen," Watson said. Dell executives say Central Texans can expect to see more examples of the company's emergence as a multi-dimensional corporate leader. "Stay tuned," said Green, who with his wife, Deborah, has sponsored exhibits at the art museum. "I'm hugely excited and optimistic about the future of our activity."