As a company uniquely positioned to educate, entertain, and empower, we are committed to bringing together diverse communities and inspiring our customers, audiences, and employees to make a positive social impact. Comcast is a company uniquely positioned to educate, entertain, and empower our customers and communities throughout Washington. In a single year, Comcast allocated more than $6 million in cash and in-kind contributions to 50 nonprofit and community groups across the state. Through our strategic partnerships, employee engagement and work with local nonprofits, we create a sustainable, community-driven impact in the communities our customers and employees call home.
Our Mission
We believe goodwill is good for business. Comcast seeks to drive investments, develop deep community partnerships and provide technical resources that help create a lasting impact in cities and towns across Washington.
What Do We Focus On?
So many causes deserve attention and support. At Comcast we focus on the following areas and go deep to create genuine, lasting impact:
- DE&I: We know that a diverse, equitable, and inclusive company is a more innovative and successful one. Across our workforce, products, and content, we embrace diversity of background, perspective, culture, and experience, and together with our partners, we have been working to fight injustice and inequity for decades. From bringing broadband and digital skills training to underserved families; to creating opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs; to amplifying diverse voices; we’re committed to leveraging our unique platforms to help create positive change.
- Supporting Small Businesses: We’re deeply invested in the communities we serve and the small businesses that shape them. Our commitment to elevating potential and harnessing innovation also extends to our procurement practices and support of diverse-owned businesses. Two years after the pandemic began, disruptions remain abundant among small businesses. In 2022, Comcast will provide monetary grants, technology makeovers, marketing, and other services to hundreds of small businesses in Washington owned by People of Color, women, and the LGBTQ+ community who are at greater risk of losing their livelihood. We will do this through our Comcast RISE program as well as partnerships with the Greater Seattle Business Association, and the City of Seattle Office of Economic Development.
- Community Partners: Internet connectivity is more important now than ever before and we work with dozens of partners across Washington, including nonprofits and city leaders, to provide digital skills training so everyone can benefit from the opportunities that come from being online. Working side by side with local non-profit partners like Boys & Girls Clubs, Goodwill, YWCA, The Carl Maxey Center, Mary’s Place, Asian Counseling and Referral Service, Family Promise, and many more, we are seeking to advance digital equity throughout the state.
These charitable organizations and Comcast share the same commitment – to provide disadvantaged people in our communities with the tools, resources, and skills needed to succeed in a digital world. Our contribution of funds, laptop computers, technology makeovers, and free internet service to these organizations are a part of our $1 million investment in Washington this year to advance digital equity and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the state.
For nonprofits, we help in several ways and funding is just the tip of the iceberg. Through our resources and corporate partnerships, we help create, enhance or support current and future programming for local 501(c)(3) organizations. Examples of our work include:
Building digital classrooms/labs provisioned with up-to-date technology, instruction tools, modular furniture, Comcast branding, and Comcast service.
Launching and support new pilot programs for communities or groups of people.
Supporting or enhancing existing organizational programs that have a successful track record.
Have a unique idea? We are always seeking new and innovative paths to bridge the digital divide and support partners in our community.
Project UP
Project UP is our comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities. Backed by a $1 billion commitment to reach tens of millions of people, Project UP encompasses the programs and community partnerships across Comcast, NBCUniversal, and Sky that connect people to the Internet, advance economic mobility, and open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers, and creators.
The Communities We Serve
Comcast seeks to develop deep community partnerships that help promote goodwill and create a lasting impact on our state. We serve and partner with groups including, but limited to, Women, LGBTQ, Hispanic/Latinx, Indigenous/Urban India, Black Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, Veterans and Military Families, Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and low-income/vulnerable families. We support a wide range of organizations in our state, including The Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS), Boys and Girls Clubs, Goodwill, El Centro de la Raza, Crosscut Media, Mary’s Place, Seattle City Club, YWCA, Easter Seals, Urban League, Technology Access Foundation (TAF), Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) and many more.
Partnership Criteria We Evaluate
The Community Impact team seeks to develop and maintain community relationships over multiple years. It is the CI team that assesses, negotiates, funds, and in some cases, co-manages community programs for the short and long-term.
Below is an initial but not comprehensive list of criteria for evaluating new and existing partnerships:
Organization must be a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization in good current standing with the Internal Revenue Service.
Organization must have a diverse and sustainable revenue stream to maintain its own operations into the foreseeable future.
Organization’s core mission falls within our CI Focus Areas or is an otherwise strategic partner.
Organization has stable and influential leadership at its helm.
Organization has the operational/staff capacity to successfully fulfill our partnership expectations.
Organization has a proven track record of mission progress and can readily provide documentation to attest to results.
Organization has a current portfolio of other corporate sponsorships and experience with fulfillment.
For questions or inquiries, contact the Washington Community Impact team at WACommunity@Comcast.com.
