Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants Recognized as Health Partner of the Year
July 18, 2008
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants' involvement in fighting HIV/AIDS sprung out of painful front-line experiences with the epidemic.
Over the years, Kimpton has lost many employees and customers to the disease, prompting it to make HIV/AIDS one of its three main philnathropic initiatives.
At the heart of Kimpton's HIV/AIDS efforts is its Red Ribbon cmapaign, which entails every one of its hotels coosing a local HIV charity to sponsor. That support ranges from cash and in-kind donations to employees volunteering their time.
Every November, each hotel hosts a fundraising bash for its local HIV/AIDS charity, and in 2007 these events raised over $100,000. Overall, Kimpton contributed $500,000 to nonprofit organizations during 2007, one-third of which went toward health-related programs. For its involvement in fighting HIV/AIDS, Kimpton was recognized as the Beyond the Check Health Partner of the Year.
In San Francisco, Kimpton partners with the Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation (REAF) for its local Red Ribbon Campaign. REAF grew from the efforts of two mothers who were devastated by losing their only sons to AIDS, and it is one of the main funding sources for many AIDS service providers. The foundation produces two majaor galas a year as well as "one night only" performances with touring Broadway shows, and all of the ticket sales from these events go directly to the AIDS service providers.
Ken Henderson, REAF's executive director, said Kimpton has "been an extremely valuable partner to our organization. . .locally, many of their restaurants participate as gala reception sponsors at our events and most of their hotels provide accomodations for our celebrity performers."
In addition, the boutique chain also donates to the foundation's silent auctions.
Many employees volunteer for events, and some managers - such as David Walovich, area director of catering for the Hotel Monaco, Serrano Hotel and Puccini & Pinetti - have sat on REAF's board.
"We don't want to be just big check writers; we try to be good charitable partners that roll up our sleeves and get involved," said Niki Leondakis, chief operating officer. "We have identified causes that align with our corporate values and are important and meaningful to our customers."
The Red Ribbon Campaign is just one aspect of "Kimpton Cares," the company's slogan for its social responsibility programs.
Each of the cmpany's 42 hotels are affiliated with local nonprofits that benefit not only health care, but also the arts, education and neighborhood beautification. And Kimpton's 40 restaurants are aligned with food and hunger groups.
"Corporate giving is based on a philosophy that Bill Kimpton had when he first started the company," said Leondakis. The belief is that the cities "where we do business should be improved through our presence."
In addition to its campaign against HIV/AIDS, Kimpton has two other major national philanthropic focuses: the Trust for Public Land and Dress for Success.
"Kimpton really sets the standard for corporate philanthropy," said Henderson.