Marking Milestones with Meaning: How Qualcomm and USD Centered Corporate Social Responsibility
Anniversaries are more than just celebrations — they’re opportunities.
When an organization marks a major milestone, it’s a perfect moment to reflect on past achievements, honor the community that helped make them possible, and most importantly, recommit to the mission for the future.
At Mission Edge, we believe anniversaries should be more than a look back — they should be a launchpad for even greater social impact. Recently, we had the privilege of working with Qualcomm and the University of San Diego (USD) as they celebrated their major milestones: Qualcomm’s 40th Anniversary and USD’s 75th Anniversary.
Here's how we helped them integrate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) through volunteerism and community engagement into these landmark moments.
Qualcomm 40th Anniversary
For four decades, Qualcomm has been a leader in innovation, changing how the world connects and communicates. When it came time to celebrate 40 years of success, they didn’t just want a party — they wanted a purpose-driven celebration that reflected their commitment to community impact.
Mission Edge’s Corporate Social Responsibility team collaborated closely with Qualcomm Foundation to design and deliver an integrated volunteer program that mobilized employees to give back.
Together, we organized on-campus service projects, created customized volunteer opportunities aligned with Qualcomm’s philanthropic priorities, and showcased the tangible difference their workforce could make.
Employees participated in projects that spanned STEM education, food insecurity, and foster youth support, and more — reinforcing Qualcomm’s long-standing values of giving back to the community while energizing their team around the company's next chapter.
Key CSR Elements:
Customized volunteer experiences across multiple community focus areas
Collaborative events supporting multiple company regions
Extended team support for the internal communications teams, HR teams, and CSR teams to make the vision and project management come to life
Check out other blogs highlighting our CSR work with Qualcomm:
From an Idea to a Plan: Qualcomm’s Racial Justice Initiative ➔
Empowering Change: Mission Edge and Qualcomm's San Diego Employee Giving Committee ➔
USD 75th Anniversary
Since its founding, the University of San Diego has been dedicated to developing compassionate leaders and changemakers. For their 75th Anniversary, USD wanted to emphasize not only their academic excellence but also their unwavering commitment to service. Mission Edge partnered with USD to create volunteer initiatives that honored this legacy.
By incorporating service opportunities into their milestone celebrations, USD empowered students, faculty, staff, and alumni to contribute to causes aligned with the university’s core values.
From campus donation drives to partnerships with local nonprofits, the anniversary became a living example of USD’s values ‘Human Dignity’, ‘Care For Our Common Home’, and ‘Inspired and Meaningful Lives’.
Key CSR Elements:
Staff and Student Donation Drives (Tied into Employee Summer Picnic and Student Move In Day)
Alumn, Family, Student, and Staff Volunteer Day (Homecoming Weekend Celebratory Event packing the hundreds of hygiene products collected throughout the community)
Nonprofit Onsite Volunteer Day (USD Student and Staff Touring nonprofit facility and engaging in meaningful volunteer activities that benefited the nonprofits recipients)
Check out other blogs highlighting our CSR work with USD:
The Power of Corporate Social Responsibility: Why Volunteer Integration Matters for Milestones
When organizations weave social impact into their anniversary celebrations, they deepen their connections — internally and externally.
Employees and stakeholders feel a renewed sense of pride and purpose, communities see the real-world benefits, and the organization strengthens its reputation as a force for good.
At Mission Edge, we specialize in turning milestone moments into meaningful movements, helping companies and institutions like Qualcomm and USD celebrate their legacies while building momentum for the future.
Anniversaries are not just about where you've been — they’re about where you're going. And with the right strategy, they can inspire a new generation of leadership, service, and innovation.
Make Your Milestones Matter
Ready to transform your organization's next anniversary into a catalyst for greater impact? Mission Edge is here to help you design celebrations that leave a lasting legacy. Let’s turn reflection into action — and inspire your community for years to come.
Connect with us today to start planning a milestone that truly makes a difference.
