Activision's Call of Duty™ Endowment Joins With Deloitte to Create Annual Call of Duty Endowment 'Seal of Distinction' Award

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Aug. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Call of Duty Endowment today announced it has joined with Deloitte to create a unique annual Call of Duty Endowment 'Seal of Distinction' award program that will highlight nonprofit organizations that have proven to be the most effective and efficient at placing veterans into high quality careers.

The Call of Duty Endowment is a private nonprofit foundation that supports groups placing former service members into high quality careers and raises awareness of the value veterans bring to the civilian workplace.

Dan Goldenberg, Executive Director of the Call of Duty Endowment, said, "Our goal at the Endowment is to invest in groups that have demonstrated exceptional effectiveness at placing veterans into high quality careers.  Our new 'Seal of Distinction' opens the door to give the best organizations an opportunity to showcase their success and access more resources." Recipients of the Call of Duty Endowment Seal of Distinction will receive an unrestricted grant of $30,000 with potential for more extensive restricted grants from the Call of Duty Endowment.

The call for submissions is now open and organizations may apply for the Call of Duty Endowment 'Seal of Distinction' through September 27, 2013 by completing the application at www.CallofDutyEndowment.org.   

While seeking applications from new organizations, the Endowment announced that several organizations would be designated as Original 'Seal of Distinction' recipients. The first of these organizations to be announced is the US Chamber Foundation in Washington, DC. The Chamber Foundation has already withstood a thorough analysis to certify their effective, efficient service to our veterans.

Eric Eversole, Executive Director of the Chamber's Hiring Our Heroes program – one of the original Call of Duty Endowment 'Seal of Distinction' recipients – stated, "Since our inception in 2011, the U.S. Chamber has prudently spent our donors' investments to create as many jobs as possible for our veterans. We are proud to receive The Call of Duty Endowment's 'Seal of Distinction' as further proof that we stretch every dollar to make the biggest impact."

Nominees for the Call of Duty Endowment 'Seal of Distinction' must, as a minimum:

- Be a charitable, non-profit, with 501(c)(3) status

- Have a mission that incorporates directly assisting unemployed veterans in finding jobs

- Complete our application and, should they be selected as a finalist, submit to verification

Important criteria for selection include the number of veterans placed in jobs, average cost-per-placement, and a profile of typical veterans served, among other categories.

*Note: Rules for participation can be found at www.callofdutyendowment.org.

The Call of Duty Endowment will select a slate of finalists, and will be assisted by Deloitte who is working with CODE on a pro bono basis.

"We are pleased to join with the Call of Duty Endowment in honoring these organizations that help our veterans translate their military skills and experiences into high quality careers," said Kelvin Womack, lead client service principal for the Federal Health practice, Deloitte Consulting LLP. "Deloitte values the dedication and sacrifice of our nation's veterans. Whether through collaboration with organizations like CODE, our recent pledge to support the President's Joining Forces initiative, or through our IMPACT Survey research insights into job strategies for returning military veterans, Deloitte is committed to supporting the transition from military service back to civilian life."

About the Call of Duty Endowment:
The Call of Duty Endowment is a non-profit, public benefit corporation conceived by Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard. The organization seeks to help organizations that provide job placement and training services for veterans. For more information about the Call of Duty Endowment, please visit www.callofdutyendowment.org.

ACTIVISION and CALL OF DUTY are registered trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners.

SOURCE Call of Duty Endowment