Case Study: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Granite Day Corporate Partnership

Philanthropy is so much a part of the fabric of the company that Granite has a group called Granite Cares, a team of employees and volunteers who steer the charitable efforts of the company. Granite employees suggest ideas for different charities to support, and the Granite Cares committee of about 30 employees goes through the list every week and chooses a charity to support. The causes can range from something like supporting a local little league team to donating to organizations like DFCI and Boston Children’s Hospital.

“It starts from the top down. As Rob Hale Jr. has said, his dad was the most important person in his life, and it means a lot for him to support DFCI,” Fountain says.

Granite Day
Each year since 2008, Granite Telecommunications has run the Granite Day event for DFCI, with its own committee working on the event. Granite really takes ownership of Granite Day to honor Hale Sr. It is the one big charitable event Granite does each year — complete with a huge carnival, invitations to community members and advertisements in local newspapers. And it’s all free for people to attend — free food, free rides — though attendees are asked to contribute money, as well as other corporate partners, with all proceeds going to DFCI for pancreatic cancer research and care.

That dedication has led to the event growing more and more each year. In fact, in 2013, Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch declared June 8 — the day of the event — as Granite Day in the city. And in 2013 alone, Granite Day raised $450,000 for DFCI.

“We look at all corporate partnerships, and so many start with a personal commitment from an individual,” Fountain says. “That’s what happened with Granite, and the employees, the Quincy community are so dedicated to coming together to honor Rob Hale Sr., have a fun day and raise a lot of money for pancreatic cancer. They’re doing something wonderful.