BCA 10 Spotlight: Turner Broadcasting System in Atlanta, Georgia

“Turner Voices, our company’s signature corporate philanthropy program, marries our deep ties to our Atlanta hometown with our commitment to next-generation storytellers and their power to impact our community in profoundly positive ways." -Phil Kent, CEO and Chairman, Turner Broadcasting Systems, Inc.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. believes that a community filled with the arts fosters creativity in the workplace and drives business. With creativity and innovation at the forefront of the company’s focus, Turner Broadcasting makes the arts a top priority. The company is working to make Atlanta, home to Turner Broadcasting headquarters, a creative city by supporting a wide range of nonprofit organizations that involve emerging works, artists, and programming. The company received a 2013 BCA 10 Award, nominated by the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs.

Dedicating 50% of its philanthropic support to the arts, Turner Broadcasting has made more than $25 million in financial contributions over the last 19 years, and regularly gives back through volunteerism, in-kind gifts, and promotions.  Recognizing the skills of its employees as major assets for both the company and the community, Turner Broadcasting strategically utilizes its personnel to work with area arts organizations with the goal of creating change and making a difference. As an example, Turner Studios has partnered with arts organizations to create public service announcements, helping with fundraising and promotions on local television networks. Turner also promotes its nonprofit partner organizations’ upcoming shows and offers discounts to its thousands of employees.

Turner Broadcasting invests significant time, effort, and resources to help employees interact with the arts. The company consistently brings the arts to its main campus for employees’ enjoyment.  Turner has hosted performances from the Atlanta Symphony, guest speakers from the “Atlanta Celebrates Photography” exhibit, and an annual holiday performance by local theatre groups.  Turner also holds employee events and outings at area arts organizations and uses artwork from VSA Arts of Georgia to line the hallways of its headquarters. For the past four years, Turner has held a holiday art fair for VSA Arts, selling artwork from disabled or economically disadvantaged artists. The company has also contracted with arts organizations for skills-based trainings that improve team building and creativity among employees.

Volunteerism is a large focus in the Turner Broadcasting culture. Each employee receives 40 hours paid time off annually to volunteer. The company actively seeks volunteer opportunities with its arts partners, promoting them to employees through daily e-mails. Through a board placement program, the company offers training in nonprofit board service and matches each participant with an area organization. Once an employee has given 30 hours of volunteer service to an arts organization, Turner will provide up to $500 from its Volunteer Grants Program. The company also has a Matching Grants Program, matching each employee’s contribution to arts organizations and other qualified nonprofits.

Turner creates true partnerships with arts organizations, meeting with them regularly to review the most strategic ways in which they can help each other. The company is proactive in supporting and creating arts-related activities and focuses a great deal on innovation, experimental art and programs that help area youth.

Photo: Students from Atlanta Public Schools enjoying the Turner-supported City of Atlanta’s Cultural Experience Project