Big Business Pitches In
writer: STEPHANIE KINNUNEN
“A spirit of philanthropy must be present
at all levels of the company, starting with strong leadership at the top.” |
Thirty-five CEOs and Chairpersons from leading companies gather at CECP's "Board of Boards" conference.
photo | courtesy of CECP |
Corporations are some of the most powerful institutions in the world. Using their abundant resources, they can have a significant affect on people in need. By assisting nonprofits, they prove that corporate philanthropy is not merely a gesture to humanity; it is a business strategy that changes lives.
In 1999, with the help of actor Paul Newman, The Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP) was founded on the belief that corporations could have a positive impact on the world. CECP is the only international forum of business CEOs and chairpersons pursuing a mission exclusively focused on corporate philanthropy. For a corporate giving program to be truly successful, “a spirit of philanthropy must be present at all levels of the company, starting with strong leadership at the top,” states Charles Moore, executive director of CECP. |
Leadership creates the culture of any corporation; therefore, if the business model is built with philanthropy at its core, its giving initiatives will be more successful.
Marc Benioff was an executive at a large software corporation when he attended The Presidents’ Summit for America’s Future in 1997. What he learned there changed his entire view of business. He recalls, “I heard something that I had never heard in my career. … The business of business is to not just make a profit, but to do good while doing well. Businesses can use their assets – their equity, capital, people and relationships – as a force for good in the world.” This is when Benioff realized, “Doing good was indeed relatively simple for corporations, but if it is not fully integrated within the company’s culture, the total value of the effort would be greatly reduced.”
Learning from the shortfalls of other corporate philanthropy programs, Benioff, CECP member and CEO of Salesforce.com built a culture of giving into the company’s business model.
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Project Homeless Connect provides food for the homeless.
photo | Shelley Eades |
He implemented a program to increase the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations by donating one percent equity, product and employee time. Benioff started the corporation’s charitable foundation only six months after the company was formed with one percent of the company’s equity, which has grown to more than $20 million USD in assets. Since the year 2000, they have donated their on-demand database platform to more than 2,000 nonprofits, and their employees have collectively volunteered at least 50,000 hours.
One of the many organizations that Salesforce.com supports through donations and volunteerism is Project Homeless Connect (PHC). Founded in 2004, PHC is creating sustainable solutions for the homeless population of San Francisco, and their model has spread to 100 cities worldwide. They assemble in one location with a variety of health and human services at events held every other month. PHC has reached more than 10,000 homeless people through their San Francisco events. Their services include housing, food, clothing, dental and medical care as well as legal and job services. |
Volunteers from salesforce.com work at a Project Homeless Connect event. photo | Shelley Eades |
Employees from Salesforce.com’s San Francisco headquarters volunteer with PHC, and the company donates its on-demand database at no cost. Dariush Kayhan, executive director of PHC states, “Salesforce is a partner, a neighbor. They are a part of the fabric of San Francisco, working directly with us to help solve a critical problem.”
PHC and San Francisco’s homeless population are not the only ones benefiting from the relationship; it is also rewarding for the employees who dedicate their time and expertise. Suzanne DiBianca of the Salesforce.com Foundation says, “I have heard from employees that volunteering ‘wakes you up … [and] gives you renewed energy to be grateful for what you have.’”
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Roshan, the leading telecommunications company in Afghanistan, strives to be more than a business. CEO and CECP member Karim Khoja says that Roshan is “a catalyst for the nation’s growth and socio-economic development.” As Afghanistan’s single largest private investor and taxpayer, Roshan assists the disadvantaged and vulnerable in Afghan society. The company has invested over $260 million USD in a variety of social programs. |
Roshan is investing in the futures of children.
photo | courtesy of Roshan |
One of the benefactors of Roshan’s social investments is Aschiana, a nonprofit organization that provides schooling, health care and vocational training for vulnerable children. Many of the children live on the streets or have widowed mothers, and the majority of them are working to help support their families. Roshan supports soup kitchens at Aschiana locations in Mazar-e-Shariff, Parwan and Kabul, so each child can have at least one healthy meal each day.
Roshan is driving socio-economic development in Afghanistan and is a leader in corporate giving. “Our commitment to corporate social responsibility and philanthropy goes beyond the various programs and initiatives we support,” Khoja states. “It is an integral part of the company’s mission and how we conduct our business.” |
Children line up to receive a sweater through Roshan's "Warm a Heart" campaign. photo | courtesy of Roshan |
Children are waiting for a hot meal at Aschiana's soup kitchen, which is funded by Roshan. photo | courtesy of Roshan |
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