Community Involvement
Since our founding in 1958, we have worked to be a good corporate citizen in central North Carolina. Today, RTI actively supports a wide variety of philanthropic programs as well as efforts that promote science, education, and environmental sustainability.
Habitat for Humanity
RTI executive leaders and staff members recently helped raise the roof—literally—on two neighboring homes in Cary, N.C., in support of the Habitat for Humanity of Wake County. In addition to assembling volunteer teams to help build the homes, RTI provided a donation of $5,000 in support of Habitat’s efforts to provide families in need with simple, decent and affordable homes.
Community Partnerships Program
Perhaps unique among corporate philanthropy programs, ours is driven by our staff members, beginning with their involvement in and nomination of charitable organizations we support. Our Community Partnerships Program selected 86 charitable efforts to receive $145,000 in funding in fiscal year 2011.
Due to continuing economic difficulties, the selection board increased its emphasis on funding organizations that provide direct services in the areas of basic needs (e.g., food and housing) and domestic violence, where there is a high demand for services. Other organizations funded include children's, disabilities, and health programs. The selected organizations serve various locations supported by RTI corporate offices.
Each year, staff members nominate 501(c)(3) charities that provide services to people living in communities where RTI has a permanent office. Those nominations are reviewed by an employee committee whose members determine the organizations' eligibility and funding amount.
Community Supported Agriculture Program
Since 2002, we have hosted the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program in Research Triangle Park. This program provides locally grown vegetables, fruit, and other healthful farm products on a weekly basis to those working in Research Triangle Park.
The program also helps to ensure the success of the six participating farms at a time when many are faced with encroaching development.
People purchase "shares" from one or more of the farmers and, in return, receive a portion of that week’s harvest -- usually enough to supply one household. Additional information on the initiative, including how to purchase a share, can be obtained at the CSA website.
SmartCommute
RTI is a corporate participant in the Triangle’s SmartCommute program, which encourages staff members to use alternate forms of transportation in their commutes to and from work to reduce air pollution and ease traffic congestion on existing roadways.
The program provides information on public transportation as well as resources to help people walk, bike, telecommute, and organize car or van pools. Additional information can be obtained at the SmartCommute website.
STEM Education
RTI routinely supports events to encourage students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math, also called "STEM" fields. Such events include NC State University’s Expanding Your Horizons conference and NC Science Olympiad State Tournament, which bring together students from across the state to participate in challenging, hands-on, and interactive events in various disciplines of STEM.
United Way
RTI is a proud supporter of United Way of the Greater Triangle. In 2010, RTI and its employees donated approximately $380,000 to the United Way of the Greater Triangle and its affiliated agencies. We also contributed $5,000 to the United Way of the Bay area, which provides services in communities near RTI's San Francisco office.
UNC-TV
RTI has participated in the on-air, fund-raising event of North Carolina's public television station for more than a decade, annually serving as a corporate sponsor to the station as well as providing volunteers to staff phones and take pledges. The event helps UNC-TV fulfill its commitment to provide high-quality statewide programming.