On 1st September 2005 UC RUSAL’s management implemented an automated personal donations programme. Through the programme, every employee of United Company RUSAL can transfer money to charities directly from his or her workplace. In a time span from September 1, 2005 to May 2007, employees donated USD 65,000 for charity purposes. As part of the corporate charity programme, UC RUSAL doubles each contribution so the overall sum of donations amounted to USD 130,000. In total there were 150 permanent contributors to the programme (approximately 14% of the employees). This figure is similar to the practices of industrial countries where 10 to 13% of a company’s employees donate to charity. During special events organised to attract donations, up to 40% of employees participate in the programme. Every month charity fundraising totals USD 6-7,000.

The poll carried out in 2004 showed that
almost 90% of our employees are ready to take part personally in the company’s charity projects. The social groups to be given priority assistance include needy children, victims of disasters and terrorist attacks, retired people and war veterans. Employees regard financial donations and aid to be the most appropriate form of participation in charity programmes. Helping the needy should be concentrated on and benefactors should be informed about the results of the programme on a regular basis.

Effective personal assistance

The main principles of the personal donations programme are confidentiality, transparency and ensuring that it remains voluntary.

An intranet site facilitates the implementation of these principles.  Employees can simply visit the intranet page where the personal donations programme is located, choose a charity and an amount of money which will later automatically be deducted from his or her salary. The intranet site also contains information on the allocation of funds which is constantly updated. Employees working for UC RUSAL‘s management can transfer money to one of the five charity organisations, which all have an untarnished reputation and offer professional assistance to needy children.

Employees can donate to:
• ‘Perekrestok’ in Moscow helps children in risk groups • Regional Public Organisation ‘Creative Partnership’ for the handicapped assists patients of Blokhin Children’s Oncology and Haematology Institute • Horse-riding club for the handicapped • Open Heart Charitable Foundation  provides aid to orphan children • ‘Kitezh’ Settlement of adoptees

Corporate social responsibility service

Igor Baradachev
CSR@rusal.ru
tel. 7 (495) 720-51-71