Why it matters

“It’s important to me that we have a well-established community programme. There is real synergy when we tie what we do as a company to the activities we support locally like book fairs and tutoring young readers. This is when things we are passionate about, like information literacy and access, really come to life and get embedded in our corporate culture.”

Ylann Schemm, Corporate Relations Manager, Elsevier

Contributing to our global communities is both an opportunity and a responsibility. It helps us inspire employees, aid beneficiaries, improve our reputation, and meet our obligations.

Our global community programme, RE Cares, supports employee and corporate engagement that makes a positive impact on society through volunteerism and giving. It is made effective by a global network of RE Cares Champions.

We prioritise education for disadvantaged young people that furthers one or more of our unique contributions as a business, including universal, sustainable access to information. RE Cares activities range from reading support programmes and charity fundraising initiatives, to donations of time and services. A key component of RE Cares is Two Days, which gives all employees two days off per year for volunteer work of their own choosing.

We provide central support for RE Cares Champions including regional meetings, which took place via web conference for Champions in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific in 2011. Attendees shared best practice, engaged with charity partners, and helped set goals for the year ahead. Other services include a social networking site, webcasts, regular conference calls, file-sharing, one-to-one meetings, and internal presentations.

We produce numerous products on community issues including Communitycare.co.uk; Handbook of the Economics of Giving, Altruism and Reciprocity; Marketing Research for Non-profit, Community and Creative Organisations; Butterworths Charity Law Handbook Second edition.