Volunteer Spotlight: Deloitte makes an impact on Metro Detroit through giving, volunteering

Deloitte staff in Detroit volunteer with United Way for Southeastern Michigan, working with local students on a case competition.

For some corporations, giving back is a part of what they do. For Deloitte— a United Way for Southeastern Michigan supporter for nearly 30 years — giving is woven into the fabric of who they are.

The company and its subsidiaries provide audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world’s top brands, employing more than 1,000 professionals based in Michigan alone.

But they don’t stop there.

They leverage the knowledge and experience of their professional team members to make a significant impact for nonprofits nationwide and across local communities.

Here in Metro Detroit, Deloitte employees make an impact in their community by donating to and volunteering with United Way. Their employees give an average of $700,000 to United Way for Southeastern Michigan. They also volunteer with us on a variety of projects that directly impact the community.

“Social impact is imbedded into our culture,” said Dorothy Kedar, corporate citizenship leader for Deloitte’s Michigan practice. “It’s a way for us to externally exhibit our internal values of inclusion, collaboration and opportunity.”

Practicing what they preach

No matter the task, team members are eager to help.

“They’ve truly created a culture of giving back,” said Kelly Tebay, a corporate relations director for United Way for Southeastern Michigan who works with Deloitte. “From the very top of the company to people at every level, everyone is super engaged.”

Mark Davidoff, Michigan Managing Partner of Deloitte LLP exemplifies the company’s commitment to the community. He serves as a member of our board, a member of our Campaign Cabinet and co-chair of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society with his wife Margie Dunn.

Mark’s philanthropic efforts have inspired many other Deloitte employees to use their time, voices and contributions to help the local community.

And their commitment goes far beyond United Way and beyond Michigan.

Every year in June, Deloitte kicks off its fiscal year with a day of service in celebration of the company’s year-round commitment to local communities. Known as Impact Day, Deloitte employees come together in 80 cities across the country to work on more than 1,000 projects for nearly 190,000 collective hours of service.

Giving back deepens employee engagement, according to Dorothy. Employees often find more meaning in their work by serving the community side by side with their clients.

Deloitte staff volunteer at a community garden in Metro Detroit.

Delivering impact

United Way for Southeastern Michigan works with corporate, government and nonprofit partners to address the complex challenges that no single entity could conquer alone. Deloitte contributes more than money. Their ideas, volunteer power, in-kind support and more are a key component in helping build stronger communities.

Through our focus on Education, we work to ensure children graduate prepared to successfully enter a career or college. Deloitte’s pro bono and skills-based volunteering programs align to this focus area and are pivotal to their overall commitment to youth education and inspiring future leaders.

Through their volunteer efforts and donations, Deloitte is making a lasting impact and helping to shape the future of Michigan.

“There are so many talented people at Deloitte and they’re very unique in that they use those talents on the job and to better the community,” said Kelly. “They truly are very hands-on in their approach.”