Hinge: A Business That Cares

Over the past decade, Greater Washington’s corporate sector has played an increased role in serving and strengthening our community. Many companies have spent time and money serving their role as socially responsible businesses but do not get the recognition they deserve for their efforts. The goal of the "My Business Cares" Seal Program is to offer a highly visible recognition tool that will help inform clients, prospects, employee candidates, and the general public of a business’s philanthropic activities.

Beginning Spring 2005, Greater DC Cares offered businesses located in the Greater Washington region the opportunity to apply for the My Business Cares Seal that can be displayed both online and in promotional materials.  At the 9th Annual Greater Washington Business Philanthropy Summit on May 11th, Hinge, along with just thirteen other area businesses, was named a My Business Cares Seal recipient.

Criteria for receiving the Seal includes: providing employees time off to volunteer during work hours; offering structured company-wide group volunteer opportunities; or donating money or in-kind goods or services to local 501 c(3) organizations. The criteria was developed by Greater DC Cares and Washington Business Journal based on national and international best practices and regional corporate philanthropy statistics.

During 2005, Hinge supported many local organizations by providing more than $150,000 in donations and 1,000 hours in pro bono services to organizations such as Reston Interfaith, Brain Injury Services, the Washington Boys and Girls Clubs, Friends of Reston, and the Fairfax County Parks Foundation.

About Hinge
In 2002, Hinge was formed out of the merger of a strategic marking firm, a design firm, and a brand identity firm. Today, Hinge offers brand strategy and implementation services to customers in a wide variety of industries. In November 2004, the firm moved from Chantilly, Virginia, to expanded offices in Reston. For more information about Hinge, visit www.pivotalbrands.com or for information on Greater DC Cares, visit www.greaterdccares.org.