The Corporate PhilanthroNews Round Up offers a quarterly snapshot of news stories, articles, events of note, and resources from across the philanthropic sector. Whether you take a quick skim of the material or a deep dive through each item we hope to help inform your work and inspire your thinking.
2024 Look Ahead: Addressing Uncertainty Through Purpose
CECP
To start 2024 off right, leaders might consider using their guiding light: their corporate purpose. But during times of ambiguity, what specific ways can businesses get a return on purpose this year and beyond? This CECP Insights blog offers five main areas for companies to focus on this year including embracing governance, diversity, and employee engagement.
Anchored in Purpose: Place-Based Corporate Community Investment
CECP
Foundations increasingly are partnering with anchor institutions — large organizations like hospitals and universities — to drive economic development locally. But what is the role of corporations when influencing local economies? This CECP Insights blog provides examples and insights about how companies can get involved with place-based community investment and partnerships.
What Happened to Big — and Local — Corporate Giving?
Chronicle of Philanthropy
One trend in corporate philanthropy is when companies move headquarters, local nonprofits often can experience a decline in corporate contributions. How does a company relocating headquarters impact overall giving? This Chronicle of Philanthropy article looks into the importance of corporate foundations when companies move.
CECP
The role of Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs) at companies across the world continues to grow. This CECP Insights blog summarizes a conversation about the evolving role of CSOs and how they can meet stakeholders’ expectations and make a financial return on purpose.
Grant Making Groups Stand Firm in Defense of Race-Based Philanthropy
Chronicle of Philanthropy
How does the recent Supreme Court decision prohibiting affirmative action in college admissions impact race-based philanthropic grant making? This Chronicle of Philanthropy article argues philanthropy should work to increase opportunity, especially to those historically excluded.
Patagonia’s Profits Pave the Path for a New Kind of Corporate Philanthropy
BNN
The outdoor apparel company Patagonia changed its giving to integrate environmental issues and political activism into its business model after a corporate overhaul in 2022, creating a 501(c)4 organization, which can easily engage in lobbying and political activities. Could this corporate structure (https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/holdfast-collective/) become trendy for other privately-held corporations?
Innovative Philanthropy: Beyond Traditional Grantmaking
Forbes
New structures and new vehicles for creating long-lasting impact are emerging for philanthropy. This Forbes article looks at some additional structures beyond a 501(c)4 organization for philanthropic institutions.
The New Corporate Philanthropy
American Affairs Journal
This article offers a philosophically conservative look at the history and evolution of corporate philanthropy. The author includes some critiques and some suggestions for how corporate philanthropy can restructure compliance, disclosure, reporting, and goals as well as policy changes that can come from the government.
Strengthening Company Culture Through Corporate Giving
Kambeo
For those in more traditional corporate giving structures, this recent article talks about how a good and strong corporate giving program increases and supports the company culture. From increasing employee engagement to strengthening community relations to promoting a positive brand image, the benefits of corporate giving extend well past the dollars donated.