Funding

Feb. 6, 2017 12:58 pm

Nonprofits, here’s what to keep in mind when working with corporate funders

Advice on what to do — and what not to do — from three CSR pros.

A Sixers volunteer day.

(Photo courtesy of the Mayor’s Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Service)

According to Forbes, corporate social responsibility, a.k.a. CSR, has been on the up and up for the past 10 years — and in the current political climate, it will become more essential than ever.

But wait — what is CSR?

We’ll be focusing a chunk of our reporting on the topic this month. For the purpose of our editorial calendar, we’re defining it this way:

  • Social programs within a for-profit company that are not core to its business model, which could include employee giving programs, employee engagement in the form of volunteering, sustainable practices, etc.

The “not core to its business model” part differentiates it from social entrepreneurship, which is the act of attempting to solve some social or environmental problem through a for-profit company. CSR is tangential to a company’s mission; social entrepreneurship is a company’s raison d’être.

So when, say, Comcast donates $1.8 million to local nonprofits, that’s CSR. When NRG gifts $100,000 to MANNA following a public vote, that’s CSR.

But getting money from a corporation is an inherently different experience than getting money from a foundation, or from a private donor.

Here’s some advice from a few CSR experts on the dos and don’ts on nonprofit-corporate relations.

What should nonprofits keep in mind when working with corporate funders?

Tiffany Tavarez, PECO Corporate Relations:

  • “Quantify your work. Most nonprofits have good content; they know their programming and the quality of services they provide. Many, however, cannot clearly identify their value of impact through numbers. We can talk about the why all day but the how is really where you can display the productivity and power of your nonprofit’s work.”

Joseph Divis, Assistant Vice President, External Affairs, Mid-Atlantic Region, AT&T Services Inc.: 

From our Partners

  • “Continue to strategically engage a funder with opportunities for a site or program visit; give them an opportunity to see first-hand the work that is being supported after the contribution has been made. Invite them to an event. It creates an opportunity for continued personal interaction, can strengthen the relationship and, perhaps, enables some reciprocal PR like a social media post or a sidebar in a stakeholder newsletter which benefits both the recipient organization and the funder.”
CSR Joe Divis

AT&T’s Joseph Divis (right) with The Monkey and the Elephant founder Lisa Miccolis and Kvon, a program alum, at a recent TM&TE event. (Courtesy photo)

Martina Mansell, RevZilla Corporate Giving Coordinator:

  • “Look for opportunities to engage our employees. Telling people that we’ve donated a sum of money to an organization is fine, but being able to show our employees first-hand the important work that our donation is helping to accomplish is better.”

What should nonprofits NOT do when working with corporate funders?

Tiffany Tavarez:

  • “All the best relationships — personal or professional — are ones that are handled with respect, courtesy and thoughtfulness. If you are introducing yourself for the first time, the next sentence out of your mouth should not be asking for something. It isn’t tactful. Allow for the person to get to know who you are just as much as what you do. How you carry yourself and conduct business is directly correlated to how you will manage a potential relationship.”
-30-

From our Partners

Solutions at the Intersection: Lessons Beyond Philadelphia

Standing in the Gaps

Empowering Healing and Growth: Create Safe Spaces for Young People

SPONSORED

Generocity Philly

Meet Kim Andrews, new executive director for The Fund for Women and Girls

Wallingford, PA

Pendle Hill

Events Coordinator

Apply Now
Media, PA

The Foundation for Delaware County

Communications Manager

Apply Now
Philadelphia, PA

Maternity Care Coalition

Therapist (MFT)

Apply Now

6 things we know about you

How to create a CSR initiative built to last

New survey: Black, Latinx and Asian American donors give more to social and racial justice causes

SPONSORED

Generocity Philly

Be the leader to bring a 26-year mission into the future in Chester County

Philadelphia, PA

Maternity Care Coalition

Clinical Supervisor

Apply Now
Philadelphia, Pa

Community Legal Services

Housing Unit: CO-Managing Attorney

Apply Now
Philadelphia, Pa

Community Legal Services

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT

Apply Now
   
       
       

Subscribe to Generocity

       
* indicates required