Business software solutions provider Sage launched its Sage Foundation earlier this month and plans to open the foundation for business globally in October.

The Sage Foundation will allow its employees to contribute five days each year in work time to volunteer with any nonprofit organisation (NPO) they elect to support.

The foundation will also give grants to create entrepreneurial opportunities for the young and disadvantaged within communities, as well as grants to match employee charitable donations and fundraising.

The company has developed a ‘2+2+2’ model – of which 2% is the number of times that employees will take a year to volunteer, another 2% is dedicated to free cash flow and the last 2% is Sage’s smart technology products given to any charity – which will demonstrate the company’s commitment to philanthropic leadership in the Financial Times Stock Exchange 110 index.

“We are committed to enhancing the lives of the less fortunate in a meaningful and sustainable way. We will help organisations and communities around the world by sharing the resources offered by the company,” says Sage Foundation chairperson Ivan Epstein.

He adds that the company will also help organisations to create social-impact activities by providing time, money, expertise and technology. Also, by partnering with NPOs and charity organisations, the company will free organisations from operational complexity and enable them to run efficient, socially-driven organisations.

“By integrating philanthropy into its culture on a global scale, Sage can make a difference in the lives of millions of people around the world,” notes global cloud computing company Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff.

Moreover, Sage UK and Ireland MD Lee Perkins mentions that, through the foundation, Sage aims at giving its employees the tools and encouragement to go and work with organisations that they care about, which will help them to bring their values and passions to work.