Monday, February 25, 2008

Amgen Foundation Expands Giving to Europe

The Amgen Foundation is proud to expand its philanthropic giving to organizations chartered in Europe through a partnership with United Way International (UWI). Charitable giving is a tangible demonstration of Amgen’s core values and reflects responsible use of limited funds which create value through programs that have a real impact.

The Amgen Foundation funds programs within its three focus areas of Quality of Care and Access for Patients, Science Education and Community Life that are replicable, scalable, and designed to have a lasting and meaningful effect in Amgen’s communities. Initially, grants will be focused in larger European communities where Amgen has a presence, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the UK.

“Our expansion into giving in Europe marks an exciting opportunity for the Amgen Foundation,” said Jean J. Lim, president of the Amgen Foundation. "Through our partnership with UWI, we can better facilitate local philanthropic engagement and demonstrate our commitment to supporting programs that are vital to the European communities where Amgen has a presence."

The Amgen Foundation has established a fund with UWI, through its International Donor Advised Giving Program, from which grants can be made to qualifying organizations outside the U.S. UWI exercises the discretion, control and oversight required by U.S. laws governing international grantmaking. Together with UWI, the Amgen Foundation has started to identify programs chartered in Europe to receive the initial grants. Local governance has been created within Amgen Europe to advise the Amgen Foundation Board of Directors on proposals for substantive and impactful programs that are in alignment with the Foundation’s mission.

The Joseph Laporte Library Foundation (JLLF) in Spain is one such program. A global institution of knowledge management in health and life sciences, it was founded by the University Autonomous of Barcelona, and its mission is to promote investigation and teaching through use of the information and communication technology.

Through JLLF, Amgen Foundation funding supports a comprehensive coaching program aimed to improve the emotional and social support needs of cancer patients and their families. The program is designed to help patients and their caregivers, as well as volunteers, navigate various aspects of living with cancer including basic information on what a cancer diagnosis means, knowing the system, coping with the disease, and carrying out a normal life. Each of these topics includes videos, help kits and courses.

“We are excited that the Amgen Foundation has made these initial grants in Europe, “said Rolf Hoffmann, senior vice president, Amgen International Commercial Operations. “We look forward to the development of programs that will have a meaningful impact on our communities.”

To learn more about how a charitable organization can apply for a grant from the Amgen Foundation, click here or e-mail .

Posted in Philanthropy