For-Profit/Nonprofit Partnerships Working For all Parties

NEW YORK, June 2, 2009 — If you’ve been on a subway or sidewalk in Manhattan in the last few weeks you’ve probably seen the placards, ads and billboards promoting the “YAI and Broadview Networks Central Park Challenge” on Saturday, June 6th.

The ads feature an adorable toddler named Siobhan with her hands raised high in the air -- seeming to signify her victory in the upcoming race. The YAI and Broadview Networks Central Park Challenge is an annual event where walkers, runners and others interested in supporting a great cause convene in Central Park to raise awareness and funds to support the YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities (YAI/NIPD) Network.

The YAI/NIPD Network was founded more than 50 years ago to help individuals with developmental and learning disabilities and their families. Comprised of seven not-for-profit, independent health and human service agencies, the YAI/NIPD Network serves people of all ages throughout the New York metropolitan area, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Corporate sponsorships of non-profit events like the Central Park Challenge are nothing new but what is unique are real, long-lasting partnerships that are integrated into the culture of the partnering organizations. The partnership between YAI and Broadview Networks, a Rye Brook, N.Y.-based telecommunications provider, began over 10 years ago and today is an outstanding example of this kind of relationship.

“Our commitment to YAI goes far deeper than dollars,” said Mike Robinson, chief executive officer of Broadview Networks. “We feel that if we’re going to put our name behind a cause, it should involve all the people that make the company successful. Employees, sales agents, vendors and customers are all part of Broadview Networks and we welcome all of them in our efforts to give back to the community. Like other non-profit partners of Broadview, the YAI team stands true to their purpose and we are proud to share in their passion. We hope the turnout on June 6th will be a new record for attendance and fund raising.”