RAND is proud of our commitment to helping others, inspired by the passion of our employees. Serving those in the communities where we live and work is the cornerstone of our RAND Gives Back program. As part of the program, RAND strives to contribute at least 1% of the firm’s gross billing through volunteering and charitable giving. Not only does RAND Gives Back benefit those in need, but it also connects our employees to the people and causes important to them. Below is a select sample of a few of our most recent charitable efforts:
Mentoring USA and The New York State Mentoring Program
Over the past few years RAND has partnered has partnered with Mentoring USA and the New York State Mentoring Program to provide supportive and positive mentor relationships with New York City youths. RAND volunteers mentor students from City Polytechnic High School of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology. In the City Polytechnic-RAND Mentoring Program, students are matched with a RAND mentor to participate in structured activities, job shadowing, skills-based mentoring, and educational initiatives, including a passive house design project over the school year. Whether it’s helping out with homework, visiting a museum, or simply sharing a meal, the RAND mentors and their mentees share quality and rewarding time over a variety of activities.
The Floating Hospital
RAND is proud to work with and support The Floating Hospital, which has provided care to New York’s medically underserved since 1866. RAND designed and administered the renovation and build-out of the hospital’s Queensbridge Houses facility in Long Island City, and we participate in and sponsor The Floating Hospital’s annual summer party and fundraising events. By providing both professional expertise and financial support, RAND is proud to help further the hospital’s legacy as the “Family Doctor to New York City Families in Need.”
RAND Cans Hunger
RAND participates in Canstruction, a design and charity event held in cities throughout the world in which teams use cans of food to build unique sculptures, which are then displayed as a public art exhibition. After a few weeks on display, the sculptures are disassembled (“deCANstructed”) and the cans are donated to local food banks, including City Harvest in New York. RAND’s sculptures have won several awards including "Best Original Design" and most recently "Best Meal" for our 2019 Canstruction New York sculpture "Don't Let Hunger DRAG ON," whose 6,760 cans helped feed approximately 4,545 hungry New Yorkers.
RAND on the Run
RAND employees are always on the move, which adds a lot of steam to our RAND Gives Back program. Our staff keeps healthy and raises funds by participating in a number of runs, including the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge, a 3.5-mile race that supports charities in 13 cities throughout the world; Tunnel to Towers, which honors fallen 9/11 firefighter Stephen Siller; Run 10 Feed 10, which provides meals for hungry children; and Rock the Ridge, a 50-mile hike to help preserve the environment and encourage people to experience nature. By staying active for good causes, RAND employees promote fun, fitness, and a better future for all involved.
New Alternatives for Children
Over the past few years RAND has grown very close to our friends at New Alternatives for Children, a non-profit organization that serves children with severe physical, emotional, and behavioral challenges and developmental disabilities. Our RAND volunteers have aided in a number of events, including hosting back-to-school supply drives and a fundraising bowl-a-thon, holiday pizza parties, charity fundraisers, book fairs, the NAC Special Olympics, and a NAC-RAND Mentoring Program.
The programs highlighted above are just a few of the long list of organizations and worthwhile causes RAND is honored to work with and support. See the full list of our charitable donations.