Corporate Donations

 

Corporate giving or philanthropy is more important than ever to consumers, according to the recently published 2010 Cone Cause Evolution Study which examines consumers’ expectations of and behaviors towards companies’ support of social and environmental issues. For example:

  • 88% of Americans say it is acceptable for companies to involve a cause or issue in their marketing. This record number represents a 33% increase since Cone began measuring in 1993.

  • 85% of consumers have a more positive image of a product or company when it supports a cause they care about. 83% of Americans wish more of the products, services and retailers they use would support causes.

  • 90% of consumers want companies to tell them the ways they are supporting causes. Put another way: More than 278 million people in the U.S. want to know what a company is doing to benefit a cause.

The increasing attention and focus on corporate giving presents exciting opportunities for the Development Fund to cultivate and nurture new and existing corporate partnerships. The Development Fund offers outstanding employee engagement opportunities and welcomes a conversation to explore how we might partner with you in any of the following ways:

  • Corporate Giving Program
    Gifts are typically made through charitable grants, funded through a corporate or business annual giving program and administered by staff. Annual giving programs are often directed by the CEO or advisory committee of management staff members and have no independent endowment. A sampling of corporate giving program support includes Georgia Power Company and Universal Property Management.

  • Corporate Foundation
    An independent, tax-exempt corporate foundation in which the company can add future contributions to an initial endowment. Gifts are usually made by the company’s owners and key executives and/or through employee committees make giving recommendations about projects they believe are worthy of support. A sampling of corporate foundation support includes the AT&T Foundation and Coca-Cola Foundation.

  • Employee Matching & In-Kind Giving
    Along with cash grants, companies often offer to match their employees’ cash gifts and offer volunteer time to work with nonprofit organizations. Workplace giving programs (also known as “federated funds”) are an option as well by facilitating payroll deductions for employees’ charitable gifts. Companies will sometimes match the gifts employees make through workplace giving programs. A sampling of employee matching program includes The Wachovia Foundation Matching Gifts Program and the Middle Georgia Area Combined Federated Campaign. Another opportunity to make a difference includes the donation of in-kind gifts such as technology, furniture, office and event supplies, catering, etc.

  • Corporate Volunteers and Pro-Bono Gifts
    Company sanctioned and organized volunteer efforts, often occurring on an annual basis, provide meaningful opportunities to volunteer on-site and provide much needed support to the Development Fund, especially related to the execution of a large scale event such as the Georgia Hall Society Ball.

    • The donation of services on a “pro bono” basis such as legal, finance, etc. can have a significant and lasting impact on the Development Fund and can be designed to meet the needs of both parties.

The Development Fund recognizes the significant difference the right strategic partnership can make for the Institute and the company involved. The greatest value is the lasting impact on the patients and students served through the Institute’s programs. The Development Fund is committed to working with you to create an individual, customized campaign that meets the needs of your company and employees. Programs are designed where it makes sense for a company’s business objectives and tailored to meet mutually defined goals. Please contact the Development Office at 706-655-5666 for more information.

We appreciate you considering the Development Fund as a strategic partner.