TTEC Foundation: Transforming Communities Through Employee Empowerment
4 Minute Read
08/15/2025
Key Takeaways
- Employee-driven mission: The TTEC Foundation funds causes employees are passionate about, focusing primarily on education initiatives and community development.
- Global reach: Projects range from providing books and technology to building boats and classrooms for children in underserved areas.
- Easy to participate: Employees can submit a grant in three simple steps, with the Foundation handling logistics.
- Ripple effect of giving: Volunteering and community projects not only benefit recipients but also bring personal fulfillment, deeper connections, and long-term change.
Giving back is a big part of TTEC’s core values. However, research show that despite people’s willingness to contribute, 72% face financial barriers. The TTEC Community Foundation bridges this gap by empowering employees to transform their passions into real-world impact. From global education to local volunteer work, TTEC Foundation is proof that when people come together, change follows.
“It’s really our people’s foundation.” – Judith Almendra, President of the TTEC Community Foundation
In a recent episode of The TalentShow, Judith Almendra, TTEC’s Group Vice President of People and Culture and President of TTEC community Foundation sat down with Rebecca Brookson to share inspiring stories of how the Foundation powers employees to create lasting page. Their conversation explored the Foundations mission, global impact and the personal stories that fuel its work.
Listen to the full conversation: TalentShow Powered by TTEC – Season 6, Episode 12: Judith Almendra
The Mission Behind TTEC Community Foundation
The TTEC Foundation (formerly Teletech Community Foundation) began 20 years ago. It was founded by TTEC’s CEO, Ken Tuchman, with one clear vision: to create meaningful change in the communities where we live and work. Education became the cornerstone of the initiative, recognizing it as the foundation for thriving communities.
Over the years, the TTEC Foundation has donated more than $4 million to educational initiatives and has been recognized as one of Colorado’s top charitable organizations. What makes the Foundation unique is its focus on employee empowerment, funding only the causes TTEC team members are truly passionate about.
By ensuring employees feel empowered, TTEC helps them find deeper purpose in their work and inspires them to actively contribute to creating positive change in the world.
How Giving Transforms Givers and Communities
For Judith, giving is personal. She shared how her father, at eight years old, used to sell candy on the streets of Mexico after leaving school. Through his hard work, he rose to become a high-level executive, but he never forgot the opportunities he missed. This inspired Judith’s lifelong commitment to education.
“Education is about dignity, opportunity, and breaking cycles.” – Judith Almendra
Judith explained how giving not only impacts the recipients but also transforms the giver. It deepens personal fulfillment, builds meaningful connections and creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond a single act. Through this, TTEC fosters a culture of empowerment, ensuring employees have the resources and support to match their passion for giving back to their communities.
Join TTEC: A Global Leader in Customer & Employee Experience
TTEC, a customer experience innovator, operates across 6 continents in countries such as Greece, Poland, and India, and employs over 55,000 individuals fluent in 50 languages. Our commitment to excellence is evident in our award-winning culture, highlighted by our 2024 accolades like Top 10 Operations Teams, Silver Certification in MLT’s Black Equity Program, and recognition as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces.
With an employee satisfaction rating of 4.1 out of 5 on JobStreet, we pride ourselves on creating supportive and flexible work environments that enhance both employee and customer experiences. Find a variety of client-facing and business support roles within a company that values community connections.
Find Your TTEC SparkReal Impact: Stories from Communities
In 2024, TTEC Foundation donated $325,000 to education-related organizations across the globe. Its projects are as diverse as the communities we serve.
One standout story comes from the Philippines, where children had to cross a river daily to get to school, balancing notebooks on their heads to keep them dry. When employees in the region learned about this, they submitted a grant request. The foundation partnered with local organizations to build boats for safe passage and constructed a new classroom.
“When a child has to worry about clean water or a roof over their school, it impacts their education. We can change that.” – Judith Almendra
Other initiatives have provided books to children, upgraded learning tools and technology with LED TVs and PCs and supplied backpacks filled with school essentials. Each community giving project is an employee-led effort to remove barriers to education for those who need it most.
Empowering Employees Through Education
The TTEC Foundation’s commitment to education does not stop at community level. It extends to TTEC’s own people. Through partnerships with universities worldwide, tuition reimbursement programs, mentorship, and leadership development, TTEC ensures employees have the tools to grow their careers.
Judith happily shared that 85% of TTEC’s leadership team has grown through the grant organizations. This proves TTEC’s dedication to developing talent.
How TTEC Employees Can Get Involved
TTEC employees can make an impact in three simple steps:
- Submit a nomination form through Mosaic or the TTEC Foundation site
- Invite colleagues to co-sponsor the activity or initiative you’re passionate about
- Let the Foundation handle the rest, from logistics to payments
Beyond grants, employees can also volunteer during outreach programs and initiatives. This is also a powerful way to connect with communities while living TTEC’s values.
Be Part of the TTEC Community Foundation Today!
The TTEC Foundation proves that when employees are empowered, they can usher in change to their communities and to the world. It starts with one project, one child and one act of kindness at a time.
“Think about all the impact that we can make. We have 50,000 employees at TTEC, so that's 50,000 more people that we can touch.” – Judith Almendra
If you’re ready to make a difference, visit the TTEC Foundation page to learn more about grants, volunteer opportunities and success stories. And if you’re looking for a workplace where giving back is part of the culture, you're in the right place. Explore TTEC Jobs today!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the TTEC Foundation?
The TTEC Foundation is the philanthropic arm of TTEC, focusing on education, community development, and employee-led charitable projects. It empowers employees to support causes they are passionate about, especially in the communities where TTEC operates.
What types of projects does the TTEC Foundation support?
Projects range from providing books and technology to underserved schools, to building boats and classrooms for children in rural communities, to supplying backpacks and school materials for students in need.
How does the TTEC Foundation align with TTEC’s values?
The Foundation reflects TTEC’s commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR), education access, and creating lasting impact. Giving back builds stronger communities and also strengthens employee engagement.
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