It was through a friend that Luis Damato, head of the institutional relations area of the Credit Suisse Hedging Griffo (CSHG) broker, found out about an institution that offers after-school leisure activities to dozens of underprivileged children aged 7 to 12. Established on the south side of São Paulo, it was facing financial difficulties to keep its doors open.

So Damato recommended the NGO to the Funcionário Apresenta [Employee Presents] Program, of the Hedging-Griffo Institute. The purpose of the program is to increase the bond between the organizations aided by the institute and the employees of the broker, by enabling them to recommend their favorite causes. Each one of the ten chosen institutions receives R$10,000 annually for small projects, such as renovations or purchasing materials.

The program, which is announced every October, received 35 indications in 2010. With the donation made by Hedging-Griffo, the entity indicated by Damato purchased educational material, such as books, notebooks and pens. “The initiative gives employees the opportunity to help projects that are part of their daily lives. Seeing this happen was very gratifying”, says Damato. Currently, the Hedging Griffo Institute supports 21 institutions that work mainly in the education area, reaching 10,000 people per year.