International law firm Dorsey & Whitney LLP announced today that it has been named the 2017 winner of the Keystone Award in the large company category by the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce for its generous contributions to the community and outstanding corporate giving programs.
Honored companies are selected each year from three categories based on business size: small, medium and large. The recipients of this year’s awards were chosen from nearly 200 companies in the Minnesota Keystone Program. They will be honored at the 41st Annual Minnesota Keystone Luncheon on December 7, 2017.
Dorsey has over 100 years of community service and corporate philanthropy in the Twin Cities that includes extensive pro bono work for the disadvantaged, other structured volunteer work and broad-ranged giving programs by the Dorsey & Whitney Foundation and by Dorsey & Whitney itself.
In pro bono, Dorsey has met or exceeded the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge each and every year since the Challenge was launched in 1993 by contributing more than three percent of hours worked to the disadvantaged and to those who would not otherwise be able to afford legal representation. In 2016, Dorsey attorneys donated 35,222 hours of pro bono legal service.
Dorsey’s volunteer council provides numerous opportunities for employees to participate in community events and initiatives. The council’s mission is to develop and coordinate volunteer activities in which all personnel can contribute to the improvement of their communities. In 2016, Dorsey’s attorneys and support staff devoted over 1,220 hours of time to community activities. Projects included food drives, literacy programs and working with the Eastwood Clinic for Teen Parents.
Dorsey’s volunteer council provides numerous opportunities for employees to participate in community events and initiatives. The council’s mission is to develop and coordinate volunteer activities in which all personnel can contribute to the improvement of their communities. In 2016, Dorsey’s attorneys and support staff devoted over 1,220 hours of time to community activities. Projects included food drives, literacy programs and working with the Eastwood Clinic for Teen Parents.
Through the Dorsey & Whitney Foundation, created in 1982, the Firm has made contributions to a wide range of charitable civic and arts organizations, legal assistance advocates and housing groups. The foundation also matches gifts made by individual attorneys of the Firm.
In addition to the charitable giving done by the Foundation, Dorsey itself supports a wide range of charitable, civic and arts groups in the community. In 2016 and 2017 to date, Dorsey supported more than 150 such organizations and events in the Twin Cities through sponsorships and donations.
“We are honored to receive this recognition of the depth and breadth of our community service and giving,” said Ken Cutler, Managing Partner of Dorsey & Whitney. “The Firm has a deep commitment to the communities in which we live and work. Our lawyers and staff believe very strongly in giving back and in supporting the things that make our communities great. On behalf of everyone at Dorsey, I want to thank the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce for this honor.”
The 2017 Keystone Luncheon keynote speaker is Tawanna Black, executive director of the Northside Funders Group. Jason DeRusha, Emmy-award winning TV news reporter, magazine restaurant critic, and WCCO-TV anchor, will serve as the emcee. The 41st Annual Minnesota Keystone Luncheon will be held on December 7 at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis located at 1300 Nicollet Mall from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. To purchase tickets to the 2017 Minnesota Keystone Awards luncheon, call (612) 370-9100 or click here.
About Minnesota Keystone
The Minnesota Keystone Program recognizes and honors companies that donate at least two percent of their pre-tax earnings to the community. In 1976, 23 Minnesota companies created this program (originally known as 'The 5% Club') to recognize and encourage charitable giving in the state. The commitment of Minnesota Keystone participants continues to serve as an example to other businesses, both here and around the globe, and to sustain Minnesota’s spirit of generosity and sense of community.
About Minnesota Keystone
The Minnesota Keystone Program recognizes and honors companies that donate at least two percent of their pre-tax earnings to the community. In 1976, 23 Minnesota companies created this program (originally known as 'The 5% Club') to recognize and encourage charitable giving in the state. The commitment of Minnesota Keystone participants continues to serve as an example to other businesses, both here and around the globe, and to sustain Minnesota’s spirit of generosity and sense of community.
Companies can qualify if they have an operating presence in Minnesota and donate at least 2 percent of their pre-tax earnings to 501(c) 3 organizations through cash contributions, in-kind donations, or employee volunteerism.
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