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February 7, 2019 By Helen Brown Leave a Comment

Are We in a New Golden Era of CSR?

“Albert Above All” (c) 2018 Julie Kahn

This week my colleague Angie Stapleton kicks off February with a focus on companies and corporate giving. How does your nonprofit position itself with corporate donors? Do you have a written annual strategy with staff dedicated to company fundraising, or are companies a constituency you have yet to focus on? In this article, Angie sets the stage for us to think about companies and their impact on philanthropy – and our nonprofits – today. ~Helen

The national conversation on ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNWIs) and their role in philanthropy is beginning to shift. As we’ve discussed on this blog, a wave of critiques on traditional philanthropy – including Anand Giridharadas’s Winner Take All or Rob Reich’s Just Giving – have begun to impact public debate about effective philanthropy and the greater good.

While most of these discussions have centered on UHNWIs and individual giving, it has also cast renewed interest on the role corporations play in our society and their giving – also known as their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

For the past few decades, the premiant philosophy on corporations was that their sole purpose was to maximize shareholder value. However, in the past few years, we have begun to see a shift in how the wider public views – and therefore interacts with – corporations.

As BlackRock CEO Larry Fink said in his most recent annual letter:

 Companies that fulfill their purpose and responsibilities to stakeholders reap rewards over the long-term. Companies that ignore them stumble and fail. This dynamic is becoming increasingly apparent as the public holds companies to more exacting standards. And it will continue to accelerate as millennials – who today represent 35 percent of the workforce – express their CSR expectations of the companies they work for, buy from, and invest in.”

A large portion of public discourse on corporate intent lately has centered on the imbalance of profit and wage growth but there is also a growing movement towards the better management of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues and more traditional social responsibility and community giving.

Perhaps in response, the past year alone has seen a number of ultra-large corporate pledges…

  • Google announced a $1 billion, five-year effort to benefit education, economic opportunity, and inclusion efforts – and has already dispersed $100 million of that to education and job training.
  • JP Morgan launched AdvancingCities, a $500 million, five-year initiative to drive inclusive growth and create greater economic opportunity in cities across the world.
  • Patagonia (my favorite!) plans to give the $10 million it received through recent tax cuts to benefit groups committed to protecting air, land and water and finding solutions to the climate crisis – in addition to their already-stellar CSR initiatives.

And these are just a few!  In 2017, corporate giving reached $20.77 billion with an expected increase in 2018 (numbers not yet available).

So, are we seeing a new wave of corporate consciousness and philanthropy? Man, I sure hope so! And if we are, what does that mean for our fair philanthropic community? How can we better prepare ourselves – and the organizations we love – to be ready for a larger focus on corporate contributions?

Becoming “Best Buds” with the Business Section

CECP’s 2018 Giving In Numbers report shows that, of the businesses they surveyed (250 of the most well-known businesses in the US), most gave through corporate cash gifts.

For those that gave through a foundation, just under half were pass-through foundations with another 20% being a hybrid of endowed and pass-through. This means that how a business is doing financially matters.

As researchers and strategists, it is of vital importance that we know which industries (and individual companies) are hot and which are not! This way, we can direct our gift officers to the organizations likely to donate the largest gifts and help them better steward those that are not prospects now but may be in a position to give in the future.

While we’re talking about cultivation and stewardship, let’s go ahead and think about pipelines. This is a great time to begin thinking (and reading!) about the industries of the future and beginning to mark which prospects or companies you already have in your database that belong to those industries. That way, in three years when your gift officer says, “Hey, have you ever heard of…,” your answer can be, “Absolutely, and here is a list of people who work there!”

Find and Strategize About Industry Clusters

 Industries tend to rally around causes that in some way benefit them – technology companies that invest in education and diversity initiatives, for example; banks that invest in economic mobility; or health companies that invest in biomedical research. This is helpful for us because once you find a business that supports your cause, you can likely look at some of their peer institutions to find a few more prospects.

Look at the big picture, not just cash donations

 While all nonprofits love a cash donation, recent corporate conversation has centered on the many ways corporations can create value in the charitable sector. In fact, the fastest growth in giving is currently through pro bono work and volunteer programs, which many companies see as a win-win. When talking to gift officers, be sure to include not only foundation and corporate giving, but also information on the company’s sponsorship programs, cause marketing, matching gifts, volunteering, and their ESG work.

Do your research and think about the ROI

 You are absolutely never, ever supposed to say this in development, so I’m just going to whisper it very softly between us friends… sometimes the gift isn’t worth the staff time you have to put into applying for it or reporting on it.

Corporations have historically given small gifts to a large number of organizations. Recent trends have shown this to be shifting as companies focus their giving programs and are moving towards giving more meaningful gifts to a smaller number of nonprofits. The secret here is to know your number so you can quickly disqualify corporate prospects who don’t meet your giving threshold or the amount required to make the gift worth the staff time. Trust me on this, your gift officers will thank you.

Is this a new golden era of corporate philanthropy? Will a more modernized capitalism, as many have called for, make for a better society? I’m not convinced corporate consciousness is the only answer… I rather like the public and nonprofit sectors! But I do look forward to watching how the changes being made walk us towards a more equitable and brighter future – and knowing that the organizations I work with and love will be a part of it!

For Further Reading

  • CECP –  http://cecp.co/
  • JUST Capital – https://justcapital.com/
  • Corporate Citizenship – https://corporate-citizenship.com/
  • 2017 Cone Communications CSR Study – http://www.conecomm.com/research-blog/2017-csr-study
  • “Here’s What You Need to Know About Corporate Philanthropy Right Now,“ Inside Philanthropy – A critique of corporate philanthropy by David Callahan; https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2016/12/13/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-corporate-philanthropy-right-now
  • Business Insider‘s “Better Capitalism” Series – https://www.businessinsider.com/better-capitalism

Filed Under: Campaign Success, Researching Companies Tagged With: Angie Stapleton, company philanthropy, company research, corporate philanthropy, corporate social responsibility, CSR, prospect research

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David’s career in prospect research began in 2009, as a graduate research assistant at the Shippensburg University Foundation. In 2011, He became a development researcher for the University of Virginia. In 2015, David became assistant director of prospect research at the University of Baltimore, serving for 3 years. Recently, he was the director of development for Trees Forever. David Joined the Helen Brown Group as a research assistant in January 2020. He earned a B.A. in Theater at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a M.A. in Applied History at Shippensburg University. David is a member of APRA and APRA Great Plains.

Kenny has worked in development since 1999 and has been involved in prospect research since 2002.

Prior to joining The Helen Brown Group, he was the director of donor and prospect research at the United Way of Massachusetts Bay. Kenny is a member of APRA and NEDRA.

Tara first began her career in development in 2002 supporting the Major Gifts department at Simmons College, and ultimately went on to serve as Assistant Director of Prospect Research. Since that time, she has also worked as a Senior Research Analyst at MIT, as Associate Director of Prospect Management and Research at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and as Director of Development Research at Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP).

Tara originally joined the Helen Brown Group team in 2007 and served as a Research Associate and ShareTraining coordinator until 2008 – she rejoined the company as a Senior Researcher in 2013 and was promoted to her current role in 2018.

She has been an active volunteer with NEDRA for many years and served on the board of directors from 2010-2016. During her time on the NEDRA board, she served in many different roles, including terms as Vice President, Secretary, Chair of the Website and Technology Committee, Chair of the Volunteer Committee, and as Chair and Editor of NEDRA News. She is currently a member of the NEDRA Bootcamp faculty. In addition, Tara has also been involved as a volunteer with Apra, serving stints on the Membership Committee, Chapters Committee, and Bylaws Task Force.

Angie began her career in development in 1999 at Virginia Tech in Corporate and Foundation Relations and later in prospect research at the University of Connecticut Foundation.

A graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin, her experience includes grants management at the University of South Carolina, program evaluation for South Carolina Research Authority and human resources analysis for Nissan North America.

She returned to development in 2007 and worked in various prospect research positions at Vanderbilt University, including Associate Director. She was named Director for Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s research office in 2015, and joined The Helen Brown Group in 2016.

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Josh began his career in development as the Phonathon Coordinator at Keene State College. He then worked at non-profit consulting firm Schultz & Williams in Philadelphia.

He started his research career at the University of Pennsylvania as a Research Assistant in 2005. He then moved over to the Wharton School of Business, where he became the Associate Director, Research and Prospect Management. Josh joined the Helen Brown Group in 2016.

Josh is also a Colorado licensed Realtor and graduate of Lehigh University.

In March 2017, Kristina joined the Helen Brown Group as a Research Associate. Before joining HBG, she was the Research Manager at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and an Associate Manager of Prospect Research at City Harvest, a food rescue organization. Kristina started her non-profit career as a legal assistant at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2004.  She is a member of Apra and Apra Greater New York. She was Apra Greater New York’s Director of Programming from June 2014 to May 2016. Kristina graduated from The University of Chicago and the Bard Graduate Center.

Grace began her career in development in 2001 as Executive Assistant to the Chief Development Officer with Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), a Harvard Medical School-affiliated academic medical center.

In 2003, she became a prospect researcher for the BWH principal and major gifts team and spent the next 11 years in various research positions with BWH, culminating as Assistant Director of Prospect Research. She has been affiliated with The Helen Brown Group since January 2014.

Heather began her career in 2002 as a prospect research coordinator for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and then moved to Carroll College in 2004.

In 2005, Heather began working on her own as a freelancer and eventually started her own consulting firm, Willis Research Services, in 2007. She joined The Helen Brown Group in 2012.

Heather is a member of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement and the Montana Nonprofit Association.

Jennifer began her career in development at her alma mater, Wheaton College, where she was an administrative assistant for the major gifts department.

She joined The Helen Brown Group in March 2008. She earned a master’s degree in library science from the Southern Connecticut State University in May 2009. Jennifer is a member of APRA and NEDRA.

Rick has been a member of the Helen Brown Group team since 2005. Prior to joining HBG, Rick was director of research at St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire. Rick has worked in development since 1996, both in prospect research and major gifts fund raising. His experience includes the University of Vermont, Phillips Exeter Academy and St. Paul’s School.

Rick is past president of NEDRA and is a member of and frequent volunteer for APRA.

Josh began his career in development as the Phonathon Coordinator at Keene State College. He then worked at non-profit consulting firm Schultz & Williams in Philadelphia.

He started his research career at the University of Pennsylvania as a Research Assistant in 2005. He then moved over to the Wharton School of Business, where he became the Associate Director, Research and Prospect Management. Josh joined the Helen Brown Group in 2016.

Josh is also a Colorado licensed Realtor and graduate of Lehigh University.

Mandi has worked in prospect research and management since 2006. She began her development career as a research analyst in development research at City of Hope, an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center in Los Angeles. From there, she became the manager of prospect development at Huntington Memorial Hospital, a community hospital in Pasadena, CA. Most recently, she was the associate director of prospect research and management at Occidental College, a private liberal arts college in LA.

Mandi has a BA degree in print journalism from Southern Methodist University and a master’s degree of library and information science from UCLA.

She joined the Helen Brown Group in May 2019.

Kelly began her career in development in 2008 as an administrative assistant in Major Gifts at Wheaton College.

In 2010, she became a research analyst at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in the Division of Development & Jimmy Fund as part of the prospect identification team. Kelly joined The Helen Brown Group in 2013.

She is a member of APRA and NEDRA.

Jayme began her career in development in 2008 at the Rutgers University Foundation, where she spent the next seven years, first in prospect management and then prospect research. She spent several years at Monmouth University as their senior prospect research analyst, working with the fundraising staff, university president, and top leadership. She has worked as both a volunteer and consultant for non-profits in the areas of research and writing.

She earned a bachelor of arts degree from Drew University and a master of communication and information sciences from Rutgers University. She is a member of APRA.

Jayme joined The Helen Brown Group in April 2019.

Julie has managed finances for The Helen Brown Group since its founding.

In her spare time, she is an editor for the PBS series Masterpiece at WGBH. Julie was nominated twice for an Emmy award for her work on the PBS show Zoom.

Heather began her career in development in 2001 as a prospect researcher for National Wildlife Federation (NWF). She was with NWF for more than thirteen years, including nearly five years as director of research and analytics. Heather is a former secretary of the board of directors of APRA-Metro DC.

She joined The Helen Brown Group in October 2014.

David began his career in development at The Gunnery school in northwest Connecticut in 2011, where he worked in database management and prospect research. Subsequently, he joined the College of Saint Rose as a development research analyst before leading Albany Medical Center Foundation’s prospect research efforts as Associate Director of Prospect Research. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Siena College and is a member of APRA and CASE.

Michele began her career in development in 2012 when she joined the UC Berkeley corporate and foundation relations team as a development analyst. She spent a year and a half at Cal before returning to UC Davis as a prospect analyst. She was with the prospect management and relations team at UC Davis for almost three years prior to joining the research and relationship management team at George Washington University as a Senior Prospect Analyst in 2016.

Michele received her BA in creative writing from Florida State University and her MA in higher education leadership from CSU Sacramento. She currently resides in Northern Virginia, is a member of Apra International, and serves as the social media chair for Apra Metro DC. Michele joined The Helen Brown Group in July 2018.

Angie has worked in development since 2002, partnering with a wide range of nonprofit institutions. She began her professional career at Vanderbilt University in research and prospect development.

She has also worked with a number of community nonprofits in front-line fundraising, grant-writing, and event management. Angie holds an MPA in Nonprofit Management from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and a BS in Journalism from Middle Tennessee State University. She resides in Nashville, Tennessee, and is a member of AFP Nashville and APRA MidSouth, where she has been active on the executive team.

She joined The Helen Brown Group in October 2015.

Maureen has been a part of the non-profit world since 1991. She started out in annual giving at Harvard Law School and continued her career as director of annual/special gifts at UC Santa Cruz.

In 1999 she made the switch from front-line fundraising to serve as director of prospect research/management at Bentley University and in 2001 began her role as administrator for the North American Foundation for the University of Manchester. She became part of the HBG team in September of 2011.

Helen has been a development professional since 1987. Her previous experience includes The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Albert Einstein Institution, Boston College, the Harvard School of Public Health and Northeastern University.

Currently she works with a variety of clients to establish, benchmark and re-align research departments; identify major gift prospects; and train researchers and other fundraisers through on-site and web-based training services.Helen is a former member of the board of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA) and is past president of the New England Development Research Association (NEDRA). In 2006 she received the NEDRA Ann Castle Award for service to the prospect research community.

Helen is Special Advisor on Fundraising to the North American Foundation for the University of Manchester and is a member of the board of directors of Factary Ltd. (Bristol, UK). She is a member of NEDRA, APRA, the Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP), Women In Development, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and Researchers in Fundraising (UK).

Helen is a frequent speaker and has led seminars for a number of professional associations, including Action Planning, AFP, APRA, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), NEDRA, RIF, the Planned Giving Council of Central Massachusetts, the Georgia Center on Nonprofits, the International Fundraising Congress and Resource Alliance.

Helen is also co-author (with Jen Filla) of the book, Prospect Research for Fundraisers (Wiley & Sons, 2013).