Intelius Philanthropy
Anu and Naveen Jain are some of Bellevue, Washington’s most active philanthropists. They have been benefactors to quite a number of charities already, even in India, where they trace their lineage. It is no wonder then that Intelius, their company, is just as staunch in supporting philanthropic endeavors. As a corporate philanthropist, Intelius is one of the biggest. Notwithstanding a deepening global recession, the company managed to donate, at the very least, $200,000 in cash to many American charities in 2008. The amount represents a record for the company. The Puget Sound Business Journal recognizes the company’s commitment to its community. The publication counts Intellius among its “Top 25 Corporate Philanthropists.” As part of its corporate giving program, Intelius has sent a number of employees to volunteer for the Overlake Service League, among other nonprofit organizations. In fact, volunteer time undertaken by the company’s employees is as good as paid leave. Intellius also formed an endowment at the University of Washington that finances undergraduate scholars studying entrepreneurship, computer science, and engineering. The university received $170,000 from the company. Apart from these, Intellius has donated generous sums to the Seattle Children’s Hospital, Eastside Domestic Violence Program, Bellevue School Foundation, Treehouse, United Way, Hopelink, CRY, and the Bellevue Boys and Girls Club, representing various charities in education, youth, healthcare, nutrition, and above all, children. The company trades personal but publicly available information with businesses and consumers. Jain founded the company in January 2003 as the successor to InfoSpace. Jain’s company has access to public records from county to state level and passes them off as decision-empowering tools. Consequently, it pitches intelligence services like people searches, background checks, criminal checks, neighborhood and property reviews, identity theft prevention products, and more. As Vice President of Community Relations, Anu helps her husband Naveen lead Intelius’ philanthropic undertakings. Together, the couple has sponsored various nonprofits with contributions that amounted to $480,000 in 2008.
