VerticalResponse Expands Social Responsibility Program & Green Initiatives

SAN FRANCISCO, April 26 /PRNewswire/ -- VerticalResponse, Inc. (http://www.verticalresponse.com), a leading provider of self-service email marketing, online survey and direct mail solutions for small businesses, today announced the company has expanded its social responsibility program through a series of ongoing "green" initiatives. Recently the company made the transition to wind-power through NativeEnergy, a climate solutions innovator, in order to reduce the company's carbon footprint. In addition, the company continues to support non-profits and hold official community volunteering events. VerticalResponse currently helps more than 75,000 small businesses and non-profits save on paper use by offering email marketing as a complement to their print and direct mail campaigns.

"VerticalResponse is committed to being a force for good in the community, and we're thrilled to be able to continue giving back to non-profits and our local community," said Janine Popick, CEO of VerticalResponse. "This year it's the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, and we are proud to say that at VerticalResponse we are focused on the environment and community groups 365 days a year."

Key Green Initiatives

• VerticalResponse is now wind-powered as a result of its purchase of wind-generated Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). NativeEnergy, a recognized leader in the US carbon market, helped VerticalResponse to calculate its electrical usage, and purchase the equivalent volume in RECs.
• A company-wide "green" initiative ensures VerticalResponse employees lower their impact on the environment through a recycling and composting program. In addition, the company has eliminated plastic utensils and cups, uses recycled paper for print materials, and orders from local companies where possible.

VerticalResponse For Non-Profits

In April of 2008, VerticalResponse launched VerticalResponse for Non-Profits to grant non-profit organizations free access to the award-winning VerticalResponse tools and services that help them effectively communicate with donors and newsletter subscribers. Participating non-profits receive 10,000 free email credits each month and a 15% discount on all VerticalResponse products thereafter.  

Official Volunteering Programs

VerticalResponse CEO encourages her employees to help others in the community, and actively supports volunteer initiatives by instituting at least four volunteer events per year for employees. Specific contributions to the community in 2010 and 2009 through VerticalResponse volunteer programs include the following.

Official Volunteering Events Held in 2010:

• Quarter 1: San Francisco Food Bank (23 participants, 92 hrs donated, VerticalResponse volunteers packed up 1,400 cases of food for the elderly)
• Quarter 2: Surf Rider's Foundation beach cleanup (26 participants, 52 hours donated)

Official Volunteering Events in 2009:

• Quarter 1: SF Zoo, conducted through Hands on Bay Area (17 participants, 51 hrs donated)
• Quarter 2: Project Homeless Connect (16 participants, 72 hrs donated)
• Quarter 3: San Francisco Food Bank (31 participants, 124 hrs donated, VerticalResponse volunteers packed up 1,490 boxes of food for the elderly, equivalent of 43,210 lbs or 21.6 tons)
• Quarter 4: Restoring Quail Habitat for the California Quail (12 participants, 48 hours)
• Volunteering Partnership from 2008-09 with San Francisco School Volunteers (28 hours donated)

$10,000 Donated To Charities Over Holiday Season

The company did not give gifts to customers in December, and instead donated $10,000 to charities on their behalf. These charities were chosen with the help of VerticalResponse employees, and included:

• Doctor's Without Borders - $2,000
• The Nature Conservancy - $2,000
• SPCA East Bay - $2,000
• The SF Food Bank - $1,000
• Mama Cash - $1,000
• The African Wildlife Fund - $1,000
• The Alzheimer's Organization - $1,000

Community Contributions in 2009

• VerticalResponse recently donated 8 MAC laptops, 2 PC laptops, 1 flat panel monitor and one PC tower to Marshall Elementary School
• VerticalResponse held a food drive until January 5 for the San Francisco Food Bank
• The company contributed funds to employees in the San Francisco Marathon, as well as those in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer marathon and the AIDS Walk
• VerticalResponse provides an employee-match for up to one donation per year to charity, including those made to KIVA Loans

Free Earth Day Guide: Going "Green" With Email Marketing

In honor of Earth Day, VerticalResponse is offering small businesses a new free guide, "5 Simple Ways to Go Green with Your Email Marketing." This guide discusses how email marketing is better for the environment, and provides advice on how it also helps small businesses to save money.

About VerticalResponse

VerticalResponse, Inc. is a leading provider of self-service email marketing, online surveys and direct mail services empowering small businesses to easily create, manage and analyze their own direct marketing campaigns. VerticalResponse bundles email, online surveys and postcards to offer customers an integrated Web-based direct marketing solution that's intuitive and affordable. VerticalResponse is headquartered in San Francisco, California. For additional information, please visit www.verticalresponse.com

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

Janine Popick

https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=92010

SOURCE VerticalResponse, Inc.