The Business of Good: Taking Corporate Giving to the Next Level
“The partnership we have with the Community Foundation allows our employees to live out our core values and achieve our mission to unlock energy for the betterment of our employees and our communities.”
–Mike Brezina, Senior Vice President for HR at Hilcorp
As a business owner, you’re no stranger to giving back to your community. You’ve likely sponsored events, made in-kind donations, and donated cash to organizations that align with your values. But did you know that you can take your corporate giving program to the next level by partnering with Greater Houston Community Foundation?
At the Community Foundation, we can help you design a corporate giving program that can help your business support nonprofits in Houston and beyond through strategic corporate philanthropy. The Community Foundation has worked with numerous local and national corporations to help them build and grow their corporate philanthropy programs through corporate donor advised funds, employee disaster relief funds, employee matching gifts, and so much more. Our team of philanthropic advisors is dedicated to helping you make a meaningful impact on the communities you live and work , while also advancing your business goals.
Corporate giving strategies: support your employees & community
Effective workplace giving strategies create meaningful connections between your business, employees, and the local community while maximizing social impact. The Community Foundation helps companies develop comprehensive approaches that go beyond traditional check-writing to build sustainable, engaging corporate or employee giving programs.
Corporate giving programs offered by the Community Foundation
Corporate foundations: a convenient and qualified corporate giving platform
Establishing a corporate donor advised fund (DAF) at the Community Foundation allows you to organize your company’s giving in a convenient and 501(c)(3)-qualified structure. By establishing a DAF for corporations you can donate appreciated assets, such as stock or real estate, and receive tax benefits while also supporting your favorite causes.
Continue reading: Read about Mustang Cat’s commitment to servant leadership and how the Community Foundation supports its culture with a corporate DAF, employee disaster relief fund, and scholarship program.
“We know that a strong corporate responsibility philosophy promotes employee retention, instills company pride, and boosts productivity through a more engaged workforce. And at Southwest, these programs drive our culture of caring and the hospitality we are known for—directly impacting the customers we serve.”
Laura Nieto, Managing Director of Corporate Responsibility, Southwest Airlines®
Corporate employee matching programs: a small investment with exponential returns
The Community Foundation’s Corporate Employee Matching Gift Program is a company-sponsored initiative that encourages employee philanthropy by matching their donations to qualifying nonprofits—usually dollar-for-dollar up to an established annual limit per employee.
This program promotes employee well-being, strengthens the company’s community engagement and reputation, and fosters loyalty among staff. Employee matching gifts are a strategic investment that creates substantial community impact and yields significant benefits for your organization.
Continue reading: Corporate Employee Matching Gift Program
Scholarship funds: support employees and the local community
The Community Foundation offers full-service scholarship management to assist you in the decision-making process, removing the administrative burden of application and award processing. We handle everything from online application development to ensuring that the final award is distributed according to IRS rules and regulations, and more.
Continue reading: How to start a scholarship fund
Disaster relief funds: employee engagement and powerful response
When disaster strikes or there’s an urgent need in your community, we can help you respond quickly and meaningfully. The Community Foundation can facilitate employee giving campaigns and provide guidance on processing donations, ensuring that your company’s employee disaster relief fund is effective and impactful.
“By partnering with the Community Foundation to administer our donor advised fund, scholarship program, and employee disaster relief fund, we’ve been able to shift the administrative burden off our team. This allows us to focus on our core mission while also streamlining our operations. The Community Foundation’s support ensures our programs are still run accurately, ethically, and in alignment with our caring culture.”
Jay Andrew, AVP Corporate Communications at Service Corporate International
Continue reading: Learn how Service Corporation Internationalworks with the Community Foundation to execute several of its corporate giving programs.
Grantmaking administration and strategy support for corporate philanthropy programs
We know that responding to grant requests can be overwhelming. That’s why we offer grantmaking administration and strategy services to help you prioritize your giving and evaluate requests based on your company’s goals. Our team can help you create a customized strategy for responding to requests and ensure that your giving is aligned with your values.
Furthermore, the administrative workload associated with maximizing the benefits for your organization and staying compliant with the IRS and other legal requirements can be significant. The Community Foundation can help you make sure you’re taking advantage of every opportunity, staying within corporate charitable contribution limits, and not creating regulatory headaches in the process.
Continue reading: How to start a corporate philanthropy program
Executive donor advised funds: engage & activate senior employees
Offering an executive donor advised fund as a charitable assistance program can help activate your senior management’s community involvement. This elevated perk allows your executives to make meaningful contributions to their favorite charities, while also providing a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Continue reading: How does a donor advised fund work?
What is corporate social responsibility?
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) program is a much broader concept than that of corporate giving. It describes a set of ideas which outline a corporation’s responsibility to the communities surrounding them, and how one might integrate social, environmental, and ethical considerations into their core operations and decision-making processes.
CSR initiatives generally address the following four areas.
- Environmental responsibility
- Ethical responsibility
- Philanthropic responsibility
- Economic responsibility
Corporate philanthropy programs are usually one component of a larger CSR strategy, allowing companies to directly address social challenges through financial contributions, employee volunteer programs, and strategic partnerships with nonprofits.
Remaining committed to corporate citizenship can help your organization develop a sustainable approach to giving—one informed by your values that benefits both your business and the broader community.
A corporate giving program that aligns with your organizational objectives
At the Community Foundation, we believe that every business has its own unique objectives and values. That’s why we collaborate closely with you to start a corporate giving program using a tailored approach that supports causes that align with your business goals. Our team is honored to serve as a resource as you build a corporate philanthropy program to pursue your company’s philanthropic objectives.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your corporate giving to the next level, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Contact Stephanie Blair, Senior Director of Corporate Relations today, or call the Community Foundation at 713-333-2210, to learn how we can help you make a lasting impact in your community.
More Helpful Articles by Greater Houston Community Foundation:
- How to Create an Endowment Fund
- The ROI of Smart Giving: Strategic Philanthropy for Business Owners, Families, & Advisors
- How to Donate Shares of Privately Held Companies
- How to Donate Business Interests Strategically
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