Charitable giving: big business donates year-round to nonprofits, schools and other organizations.

• Author: Grenn, Ben

Recently, Wells Fargo Bank received the 2005 Outstanding Business/Corporation/Foundation in Philanthropy Award at the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Alaska Chapter, at their ceremonies.

"We're very proud of this award and of our contributions," said Susan Kernes, Wells Fargo contributions manager for Alaska. Wells Fargo was nominated by Catholic Social Services and Camp Fire USA Alaska Council for the prestigious honor.

WELLS FARGO BANK

In Alaska, Wells Fargo gives $1.5 million annually to more than 600 nonprofit organizations. Through this decentralized giving, the company helps fund various programs for education, art and culture, affordable housing, economic development, and health and human services.

Wells Fargo has contributed more than $464,000 in the first half of this year. More than 170 organizations received funding to meet local needs.

"Like most corporations, we have guidelines when it comes to contributions," Kernes said, who has been in charge of overseeing those contributions for Wells Fargo for nearly two years.

"Included, but not limited in our evaluation, is that we like to know what effect the nonprofit has on the community, its history in the community and its history with us." We have two committees that sit down and decide where and how much money that organization will receive."

Corporations also contribute in ways that don't always show up in terms of money, but by their employees giving of their time and talents. Wells Fargo gave nearly 1,300 hours of volunteer services to Alaska in the first half of this year.

Wells Fargo provided major financial grants, including Alaska Pacific University Rural Alaska Native Adult Distance Education program ($75,000), Sheldon Jackson College ($50,000 for Native Student Outreach Programs), University of Alaska Anchorage Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program ($50,000 contribution paved the way for fund-raising effort), and Arctic Winter Games ($20,000).

Wells Fargo ranked sixth among the country's "100 Best Corporate Citizens" by Business Ethics magazine, No. 8 in corporate giving among all companies in all industries by Forbes magazine and No. 12 by BusinessWeek.

THE ALASKA RAILROAD CORP,

The Alaska Railroad Corp. also closely monitors what it does and doesn't dole out to organizations with their proposals. The Alaska Railroad generously donates close to $1 million annually in cash and in-kind donations.

"For example, we don't contribute to or fund beauty pageants or their participants," said Tim Thompson, who is the public affairs officer for the Alaska Railroad.

Like many other corporate contributors, the Alaska Railroad is focused on organizations that enhance educational opportunities and community quality of life and economic health. They have a special interest in increasing the opportunities for Alaska youth to become productive citizens.

"There may be an exception here and there...