At The San Diego Foundation, we assist individuals, families and companies with their charitable giving. Often, our corporate donors ask for our help to ensure their community involvement and grants are making the most difference.
Below are three strategies we explore with companies for smarter giving:
Working with a philanthropic partner such as a community foundation helps generous companies identify unique and innovative ways to deploy their charitable assets. Many sophisticated approaches tend to leverage a company’s branding and community relations efforts.
One example that showcases brand leveraging is Ben & Jerry’s recent launch of its new “Save Our Swirled” ice cream flavor.
With a long history of social activism, the company partnered with Elon Musk and Tesla Motors, along with nonprofit Avaaz.org, to leverage its household name brand and bring free ice cream with climate action awareness to households nationwide.
A company’s greatest asset is its people. By encouraging employee and key stakeholder involvement with a company’s charitable giving activities, corporate values are reinforced.
[Tweet “Encouraging employee involvement in charitable giving activities reinforces corporate values.”]
According to Elaine Cohen in Corporate Giving: Who Benefits Most?, employee matching grant programs also help motivate a workforce and build morale. Other programs can include corporate volunteer days and employee community leadership recognition.
Building camaraderie around giving back to the community reinforces a company’s investment in the region where it does business.
When companies make a grant or other community investment, executive leadership should consider social return on investment (SROI).
SROI is a formula that includes analysis of the direct outcome of a grant (e.g. at-risk youth served by job readiness training), as well as indirect longer-term benefits of the company’s community investment (e.g. better prepared and stable workforce, economic development, and reduced costs in other public programs).
Above all, quality corporate giving programs increase a company’s positive impact where it does business – and beyond.
Implementing a thoughtful and strategic approach to community philanthropy makes good business sense. It also unites employees, leadership and customers with an inspiring connection to the company’s mission.
Does your company have a corporate giving strategy? Start a conversation about how we can help your company with its charitable goals.
On August 9, 2022, we awarded $838,704 in Opening the Outdoors grants to 24 nonprofit organizations that offer equitable access to outdoor spaces in San Diego County.
“San Diego Foundation is proud to once again support its partners committed to increasing community-driven efforts to enhance accessible outdoor space, encourage youth to learn more through hands-on education and create the next generation of environmental stewards in the San Diego region,” said Christiana DeBenedict, SDF Director of Environment Initiatives.
This year’s grantees will help address these inequities and enhance access to the outdoors throughout San Diego County.
"*" indicates required fields
The Advisor monthly e-newsletter provides philanthropy news and trends and financial planning strategies for advisors and their clients.
"*" indicates required fields
"*" indicates required fields
Receive quarterly email updates about our Children and Families programs and initiatives and opportunities for you to support stronger families in our region.
"*" indicates required fields
Receive quarterly email updates about our Education programs and initiatives and opportunities for you to support enhanced learning experiences and increased access to college for San Diego students.
"*" indicates required fields
Receive quarterly email updates about our Environment and Climate programs and initiatives and opportunities for you to support equitable outdoor access and climate change resiliency.
"*" indicates required fields
Receive quarterly email updates about our Racial and Social Justice programs and initiatives and opportunities for you to learn about creating equitable opportunities for all and how to support our multicultural region and its diverse population.
"*" indicates required fields
This helpful resource provides you with information about corporate philanthropy and custom corporate giving solutions for your business.
"*" indicates required fields
This helpful resource will show you how you can leave a legacy to your family, your charity or your community that complements your will and trust(s).
"*" indicates required fields