The Maryland Chamber of Commerce and Baltimore Business Journal awarded the Maryland Business Philanthropy Awards today during the annual Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) - Maryland Chapter Philanthropy Day Luncheon in Baltimore. The awards program honored three businesses, whose philanthropic efforts have made Maryland a better place to live, work and do business.

“This award provides well deserved recognition to businesses that not only provide jobs and pay taxes in Maryland - but who are also supporting a wide variety of educational, health-related, homeless and youth activities in our neighborhoods,” Maryland Chamber Chairman and President/CEO of Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative Joe Slater said.

This year’s winners are:

Small Employer Winner (1-100 employees)
Aircon Engineering: This heating, air conditioning and ventilation company has been involved in corporate philanthropy since its founding in 1945. The family and company are known throughout this Western Maryland community for their high integrity, community generosity and leadership. With only 19 employees, this company donated more than $38,000 in the last 12 months to various non-profits in the community including the Potomac Council of the Boy Scouts of America, County United Way, Rotary Club, local chambers, the Greater Cumberland Committee, Leadership Allegany and Leadership Maryland. Its President serves on the boards of six area non-profits and is a past chair of the Western Maryland Health System.

Medium Employer Winner (101-500 employees)
Merritt Properties: Consistently ranking among the most philanthropic in the Baltimore area, Merritt Properties gave more than four million dollars to various organizations last year. Of that amount, 97 percent went to more than 100 local charities such as the Bea Gaddy Family Center, Boys Hope, CASA, the Maryland Food Bank, and the House of Ruth. In addition, employees of this firm volunteered 3,000 hours in 2008 to local charities, clearing demonstrating a corporate commitment to helping others who are in need. Annual food and holiday gift drives, emergency construction projects for families in need, and scholarships for disadvantaged students are among the other programs of this well-known commercial real estate firm.

Large Employer Winner (501+ employees)
W.R. Grace and Company: Each year, this company’s foundation donates more than one million dollars various charities, with 30 to 40 percent going to Maryland agencies. Overall, the community involvement philosophy of this firm encouraged employees to donate more than 1250 hours of volunteerism. Blood drives, five to six figure donations to charities such as March of Dimes of Central Maryland, Gilchrest Hospice and Komen Race for the Cure, and funding for the Key Issues Institute, a national teacher training program on environmental issues are examples of just how far this firm has reached into the community to help people resolve problems.

This was the ninth year the Maryland Chamber of Commerce and Baltimore Business Journal partnered to present the Maryland Business Philanthropy Awards. All Maryland-based businesses that have made a positive contribution to Maryland residents through financial support, in-kind donations or volunteer efforts are eligible for nomination. A panel of business and community leaders judge the nominees based on the extent of the service provided to the community, the impact on the community and the commitment the business has shown to the community over time. Judges also take into consideration the size of the business relative to their corporate giving.