CENTRAL POINT, OR – In early February Dogs for Better Lives (DBL) learned that it had been awarded a Global Good grant award from technology company F5, thanks to the submission and nomination from DBL national board member and F5 senior product manager, Garren Heye.
“It’s an incredible privilege to see my professional life at F5 and my personal commitment to community service come together through this grant,” stated Garren. “Serving on the national board of Dogs for Better Lives, I see firsthand how corporate grants like this one can positively impact a nonprofit’s capacity. I am so proud to work for a company that doesn’t just encourage giving back but actively invests in the causes its employees hold close to their hearts.”
Last year the F5 Community Impact Grant program celebrated its five-year anniversary. Since its inception in 2020, F5 has awarded more than $600,000 in grants to community nonprofit organizations where F5ers volunteer around the world. According to F5, the goal of these grants is to honor and support the volunteer work of F5 employees across the globe. An internal committee picks five winners and awards a total of $25,000 in funding each quarter.
“This grant exemplifies F5’s deep commitment to supporting the causes our employees are passionate about, and we are honored and proud to provide this support in recognition of Garren Heye’s outstanding volunteerism with Dogs for Better Lives,” said Carina Weyer, Director of F5 Global Good. “Garren has dedicated a significant amount of time, energy, and expertise to serve on the DBL Board, contributing to multiple committees and volunteer roles. His passion for the mission of Dogs for Better Lives and the impact it has on the individuals and communities it serves is inspiring. Garren has expressed how his work with this organization and the opportunity to better understand those it serves have had a profound personal impact on him- something we value getting to recognize.
At F5, we strive to ensure that our employees’ passion for community involvement and volunteering extends beyond the workplace. We actively encourage, recognize, and celebrate their efforts to make a difference. Partnerships like this not only elevate the impactful work of nonprofits like Dogs for Better Lives but also embody the values we hold dear—empowering our employees to drive meaningful change in the world.”
As a 501c3 nonprofit, DBL solely relies on private donations from individuals, foundations, corporate gifts, and community partnerships to support its critical mission of training and placing Service Dogs that are life changing for its clients and communities across the United States. 100% of donations go directly towards programmatic services, thanks to a quarterly distribution from the organization’s endowment that helps to underwrite important administrative expenses.
“Receiving this F5 Global Good grant award is truly an honor for Dogs for Better Lives. While our mission is rooted in the powerful bond between humans and dogs, technology is the engine that allows us to scale that impact nationally,” stated CEO Bryan Williams. “This award further supports our mission, which ultimately helps us to place more life-changing Service Dogs with those who need them most.”
With gifts such as this Global Good grant, it’s further strengthening DBL’s ability to bridge the gap between innovative technology and compassionate service, helping to champion the opportunity for more individuals to experience the support of an Autism Assistance Dog, Hearing Assistance Dog or Facility Dog.
As is evident in Garren Heye’s volunteer engagement and commitment to DBL, volunteers play such instrumental and impactful roles within the national nonprofit, including national board and regional advisory board members, Puppy Raisers, Fosters in our From Shelter to Service Dog Program, transportation and kennel volunteers, and more. To learn more about volunteer opportunities at DBL visit here.
F5 Global Good is F5’s community impact program dedicated to empowering employees to make a meaningful difference in the world. Through initiatives like the F5 Community Impact Grant program, F5 supports nonprofits and causes that employees are passionate about- strengthening communities worldwide. By encouraging volunteerism, offering grants, and providing resources for employees to get involved, Global Good reflects F5’s commitment to creating positive change and amplifying the impact of employee-driven service.
[Cover Photo: Garren Heye visiting DBL’s headquarters and west campus in Central Point, OR with puppy in training Doris.]
