INTRODUCTION

Different organisations have framed different definitions - although there is considerable

common ground between them. My own definition is that CSR is about how companies manage
the business processes to produce an overall positive impact on society.
Take the following illustration:

Companies need to answer to two aspects of their operations. 1. The quality of their management
- both in terms of people and processes (the inner circle). 2. The nature of, and quantity of their
impact on society in the various areas.
Outside stakeholders are taking an increasing interest in the activity of the company. Most look
to the outer circle - what the company has actually done, good or bad, in terms of its products
and services, in terms of its impact on the environment and on local communities, or in how it
treats and develops its workforce. Out of the various stakeholders, it is financial analysts who are
predominantly focused - as well as past financial performance - on quality of management as an
indicator of likely future performance.

Definitions
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development in its publication Making Good
Business Sense by Lord Holme and Richard Watts, used the following definition.
Corporate Social Responsibility is the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically
and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and
their families as well as of the local community and society at large

The same report gave some evidence of the different perceptions of what this should mean from
a number of different societies across the world. Definitions as different as CSR is about capacity
building for sustainable livelihoods. It respects cultural differences and finds the business
opportunities in building the skills of employees, the community and the government from
Ghana, through to CSR is about business giving back to society from the Phillipines.
Traditionally in the United States, CSR has been defined much more in terms of a philanphropic
model. Companies make profits, unhindered except by fulfilling their duty to pay taxes. Then
they donate a certain share of the profits to charitable causes. It is seen as tainting the act for the
company to receive any benefit from the giving.
The European model is much more focused on operating the core business in a socially
responsible way, complemented by investment in communities for solid business case reasons.
Personally, I believe this model is more sustainable because:
1. Social responsibility becomes an integral part of the wealth creation process - which if
managed properly should enhance the competitiveness of business and maximise the
value of wealth creation to society.
2. When times get hard, there is the incentive to practice CSR more and better - if it is a
philanphropic exercise which is peripheral to the main business, it will always be the first
thing to go when push comes to shove.
But as with any process based on the collective activities of communities of human beings (as
companies are) there is no 'one size fits all'. In different countries, there will be different
priorities, and values that will shape how business act. And even the observations above are
changing over time. The US has growing numbers of people looking towards core business
issues.
For instance, the CSR definition used by Business for Social Responsibility is:
Operating a business in a manner that meets or exceeds the ethical, legal, commercial and public
expectations that society has of business.
On the other hand, the European Commission hedges its bets with two definitions wrapped into
one:
A concept whereby companies decide voluntarily to contribute to a better society and a cleaner
environment. A concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their
business operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis.
When you review each of these, they broadly agree that the definition now focuses on the impact
of how you manage your core business. Some go further than others in prescribing how far
companies go beyond managing their own impact into the terrain of acting specifically outside of
that focus to make a contribution to the achievement of broader societal goals. It is a key
difference, when many business leaders feel that their companies are ill equipped to pursue

broaders societal goals, and activists argue that companies have no democratic legitimacy to take
such roles. That particular debate will continue.

Definition of Corporate Social Responsibility by UNIDO

Corporate Social Responsibility is a management concept whereby companies integrate social
and environmental concerns in their business operations and interactions with their stakeholders.
CSR is generally understood as being the way through which a company achieves a balance of
economic, environmental and social imperatives (Triple-Bottom-Line- Approach), while at the
same time addressing the expectations of shareholders and stakeholders. In this sense it is
important to draw a distinction between CSR, which can be a strategic business management
concept, and charity, sponsorships or philanthropy. Even though the latter can also make a
valuable contribution to poverty reduction, will directly enhance the reputation of a company and
strengthen its brand, the concept of CSR clearly goes beyond that.
Promoting the uptake of CSR amongst SMEs requires approaches that fit the respective needs
and capacities of these businesses, and do not adversely affect their economic viability. UNIDO
based its CSR programme on the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) Approach, which has proven to be a
successful tool for SMEs in the developing countries to assist them in meeting social and
environmental standards without compromising their competitiveness. The TBL approach is used
as a framework for measuring and reporting corporate performance against economic, social and
environmental performance. It is an attempt to align private enterprises to the goal of sustainable
global development by providing them with a more comprehensive set of working objectives
than just profit alone. The perspective taken is that for an organization to be sustainable, it must
be financially secure, minimize (or ideally eliminate) its negative environmental impacts and act
in conformity with societal expectations.
Key CSR issues: environmental management, eco-efficiency, responsible sourcing, stakeholder
engagement, labour standards and working conditions, employee and community relations,
social equity, gender balance, human rights, good governance, and anti-corruption measures.
A properly implemented CSR concept can bring along a variety of competitive advantages, such
as enhanced access to capital and markets, increased sales and profits, operational cost savings,
improved productivity and quality, efficient human resource base, improved brand image and
reputation, enhanced customer loyalty, better decision making and risk management processes.
What is Corporate Social Responsibility?
What's the key to winning over consumers today? Business experts will cite everything from a
strong loyalty program to a personalized, mobile-friendly shopping experience. These offerings

are certainly important, but one thing that may tip the scales in your favor is using your profits to
do good in the world.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) refers to a business practice that involves participating in
initiatives that benefit society. Liz Maw, CEO of nonprofit organization Net Impact, noted that
CSR is becoming more mainstream as forward-thinking companies embed sustainability into the
core of their business operations to create shared value for business and society.
"Sustainability isn't just important for people and the planet, but also is vital for business
success," said Maw, whose company connects students and professionals who want to use
business skills to do social good. "Communities are grappling with problems that are global in
scope and structurally multifaceted Ebola, persistent poverty, climate change. The business
case for engaging in corporate social responsibility is clear and unmistakable. Billions are at
stake if fast and large-scale action is not taken."
As consumers' awareness about global social issues continues to grow, so does the importance
these customers place on CSR when choosing where to shop. [Social Responsibility Tips for
Your Business]
"Technology has brought global connectivity and enabled advocacy and awareness for social
situations that were once obscure," said Alexis Magnan-Callaway, whose fashion company Pax
Cult donates 10 percent of its profits to an organization of the customer's choice. "Millennials are
redefining what it means to connect and give back through this technology. It's not just about
having a recycling program or sustainable products. People want to feel good about what their
dollar is doing."
Consumers aren't the only ones who are drawn to businesses that give back. Susan Cooney,
founder of crowdfunding philanthropy platform Givelocity, said that a company's CSR strategy
is a big factor in where today's top talent chooses to work.
"The next generation of employees is seeking out employers that are focused on the triple bottom
line: people, planet and revenue," Cooney told Business News Daily. "Coming out of the
recession, corporate revenue has been getting stronger. Companies are encouraged to put that
increased profit into programs that give back."
Types of corporate social responsibility
CSR can encompass a wide variety of tactics, from giving nonprofit organizations a portion of a
company's proceeds, to giving away a product or service to a worthy recipient for every sale
made. Here are a few of the broad categories of social responsibility that businesses are
practicing:

Environment: One primary focus of corporate social responsibility is the environment.

Businesses, both large and small, have a large carbon footprint. Any steps they can take to reduce
those footprints are considered both good for the company and society as a whole.
Philanthropy: Businesses also practice social responsibility by donating to national and local
charities. Whether it involves giving money or time, businesses have a lot of resources that can
benefit charities and local community programs.
Ethical labor practices: By treating employees fairly and ethically, companies can also
demonstrate their corporate social responsibility. This is especially true of businesses that operate
in international locations with labor laws that differ from those in the United States.
Evolution of corporate social responsibility in India
The evolution of corporate social responsibility in India refers to changes over time in India
of the cultural norms of corporations' engagement of corporate social responsibility (CSR), with
CSR referring to way that businesses are managed to bring about an overall positive impact on
the communities, cultures, societies and environments in which they operate. The fundamentals
of CSR rest on the fact that not only public policy but even corporates should be responsible
enough to address social issues. Thus companies should deal with the challenges and issues
looked after to a certain extent by the states.
Among other countries India has one of the oldest traditions of CSR. But CSR practices are
regularly not practiced or done only in namesake specially by MNCs with no cultural and
emotional attachments to India. Much has been done in recent years to make Indian
Entrepreneurs aware of social responsibility as an important segment of their business activity
but CSR in India has yet to receive widespread recognition. If this goal has to be realised then
the CSR approach of corporates has to be in line with their attitudes towards mainstream
business- companies setting clear objectives, undertaking potential investments, measuring and
reporting performance publicly.
The Four Phases of CSR Development in India
The history of CSR in India has its four phases which run parallel to India's historical
development and has resulted in different approaches towards CSR. However the phases are not
static and the features of each phase may overlap other phases.
The First Phase
In the first phase charity and philanthropy were the main drivers of CSR. Culture, religion,
family values and tradition and industrialization had an influential effect on CSR. In the preindustrialization period, which lasted till 1850, wealthy merchants shared a part of their wealth
with the wider society by way of setting up temples for a religious cause. Moreover, these

merchants helped the society in getting over phases of famine and epidemics by providing food
from their godowns and money and thus securing an integral position in the society. With the
arrival of colonial rule in India from the 1850s onwards, the approach towards CSR changed.
The industrial families of the 19th century such as Tata, Godrej, Bajaj, Modi, Birla, Singhania
were strongly inclined towards economic as well as social considerations. However it has been
observed that their efforts towards social as well as industrial development were not only driven
by selfless and religious motives but also influenced by caste groups and political objectives.
The Second Phase
In the second phase, during the independence movement, there was increased stress on Indian
Industrialists to demonstrate their dedication towards the progress of the society. This was when
Mahatma Gandhi introduced the notion of "trusteeship", according to which the industry leaders
had to manage their wealth so as to benefit the common man. "I desire to end capitalism almost,
if not quite, as much as the most advanced socialist. But our methods differ. My theory of
trusteeship is no make-shift, certainly no camouflage. I am confident that it will survive all other
theories." This was Gandhi's words which highlights his argument towards his concept of
"trusteeship". Gandhi's influence put pressure on various Industrialists to act towards building
the nation and its socio-economic development. According to Gandhi, Indian companies were
supposed to be the "temples of modern India". Under his influence businesses established trusts
for schools and colleges and also helped in setting up training and scientific institutions. The
operations of the trusts were largely in line with Gandhi's reforms which sought to abolish
untouchability, encourage empowerment of women and rural development.
The Third Phase
The third phase of CSR (196080) had its relation to the element of "mixed economy",
emergence of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and laws relating labour and environmental
standards. During this period the private sector was forced to take a backseat The public sector
was seen as the prime mover of development. Because of the stringent legal rules and regulations
surrounding the activities of the private sector, the period was described as an "era of command
and control". The policy of industrial licensing, high taxes and restrictions on the private sector
led to corporate malpractices. This led to enactment of legislation regarding corporate
governance, labour and environmental issues. PSUs were set up by the state to ensure suitable
distribution of resources (wealth, food etc.) to the needy. However the public sector was effective
only to a certain limited extent. This led to shift of expectation from the public to the private
sector and their active involvement in the socio-economic development of the country became
absolutely necessary. In 1965 Indian academicians, politicians and businessmen set up a national
workshop on CSR aimed at reconciliation. They emphasized upon transparency, social
accountability and regular stakeholder dialogues. In spite of such attempts the CSR failed to
catch steam.

The Fourth Phase

In the fourth phase (1980 until the present) Indian companies started abandoning their traditional
engagement with CSR and integrated it into a sustainable business strategy. In the 1990s the first
initiation towards globalization and economic liberalization were undertaken. Controls and
licensing system were partly done away with which gave a boost to the economy the signs of
which are very evident today. Increased growth momentum of the economy helped Indian
companies grow rapidly and this made them more willing{Gajare, R.S. (2014). A conceptual
study of CSR development in India. In D.B. Patil & D.D. Bhakkad, Redefining Management
Practices and Marketing in Modern Age Dhule, India: Atharva Publications (p. 152-154).} and
able to contribute towards social cause. Globalization has transformed India into an important
destination in terms of production and manufacturing bases of TNCs are concerned. As Western
markets are becoming more and more concerned about labour and environmental standards in
the developing countries, Indian companies which export and produce goods for the developed
world need to pay a close attention to compliance with the international standards.
Current State of CSR in India
As discussed above, CSR is not a new concept in India. Ever since their inception, corporates
like the Tata Group, the Aditya Birla Group,and Indian Oil Corporation, to name a few, have
been involved in serving the community. Through donations and charity events, many other
organizations have been doing their part for the society. The basic objective of CSR in these days
is to maximize the company's overall impact on the society and stakeholders. CSR policies,
practices and programs are being comprehensively integrated by an increasing number of
companies throughout their business operations and processes. A growing number of corporates
feel that CSR is not just another form of indirect expense but is important for protecting the
goodwill and reputation, defending attacks and increasing business competitiveness.
Companies have specialised CSR teams that formulate policies, strategies and goals for their
CSR programs and set aside budgets to fund them. These programs are often determined by
social philosophy which have clear objectives and are well defined and are aligned with the
mainstream business. The programs are put into practice by the employees who are crucial to this
process. CSR programs ranges from community development to development in education,
environment and healthcare etc.
For example, a more comprehensive method of development is adopted by some corporations
such as Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Maruti Suzuki India Limited. Provision of
improved medical and sanitation facilities, building schools and houses, and empowering the
villagers and in process making them more self-reliant by providing vocational training and a
knowledge of business operations are the facilities that these corporations focus on. Many of the
companies are helping other peoples by providing them good standard of living.

Also, corporates increasingly join hands with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and use
their expertise in devising programs which address wider social problems.
CSR has gone through many phases in India. The ability to make a significant difference in the
society and improve the overall quality of life has clearly been proven by the corporates. Not one
but all corporates should try and bring about a change in the current social situation in India in
order to have an effective and lasting solution to the social woes . Partnerships between
companies, NGOs and the government should be facilitated so that a combination of their skills
such as expertise, strategic thinking, manpower and money to initiate extensive social change
will put the socio-economic development of India on a fast track.

Strategic CSR and Competitive Advantage

A heady mix of greed, overconfidence and the use of poor business models that showed up
flawed strategies caused the global financial collapse of one year ago.Banks and other financial
institutions are once again in the news for paying huge bonuses on the backs of taxpayers' bail
outs.Is the merry go round of greed, overconfidence and flawed strategies about to spin again?
There is another way to look at strategy.
CSR (also commonly referred to as Corporate Responsibility) is a strategic systems approach
that examines and influences the behaviour of a company while preserving its competitive
advantage.
Let me deconstruct that sentence.

CSR means treating the main stakeholders of a company in a responsible manner

Corporate means any group of people that work together in a company or organisation,
whether for profit or non-profit

Social means the social system and includes finance, economy, environment and social
issues

Responsibility is about taking issues that affect the corporate body seriously and about
acting within - and even beyond - societal norms

Strategic means having a strategy that takes an idea into a working model

A systems approach means including all aspects of the system in the decision making
process

Competitive advantage is the implementation of a value-creating strategy not

simultaneously being implemented by any current or potential competitors

Strategic CSR
Take Michael Porter and Mark Kramer's (P-K) influential Harvard Business Review Article of
December 2006[1].There they argue that while CSR depends on being a good corporate citizen
and addressing every social harm the business creates, strategic CSR is far more selective'.The
interdependence between business and society takes two forms in P-K's framework: "inside-out
linkages" where company operations impact society, and "outside-in linkages" where external
societal forces impact companies.They believe that although companies are called on to address
hundreds of social issues, only a few represent opportunities to make a real difference to society
or to confer a competitive advantage'.I would rather use the word and' rather than or' but
readers may feel I am splitting hairs at this point.They give three areas where they think
competitive advantage may lie in strategic CSR.
First, identify points of intersection between your company and society.For instance, does the
company provide safe working conditions and reasonable wages?Models for this can be found in
the work of SA8000 or the Fair Labour Association (FLA).
Second, select specific social issues to address social needs in ways that create shared value - a
meaningful benefit for society that also adds to your company's bottom line.For instance, in
addressing the AIDS pandemic in Africa, a mining company such as Anglo American would not
only improve the standard of living on that continent; it would also improve the productivity of
the African labour force on which its success depends.
Third, mount a small number of initiatives that generate large and distinctive benefits for society
and your company.Example: The Ecomagination initiative General Electric launched in early
2005[2] benefits society through environmentally beneficial products (such as compact
fluorescent light bulbs) while benefiting the company's bottom line. The initiative boosted
revenue on such products from $6.2 billion in 2004, before the initiative began, to $10.1 billion
in 2005, over halfway to the goal of $20 billion by 2010.
Strategic CSR transforms "value chain social impacts" into activities that benefit society while
simultaneously reinforcing corporate strategy and also advances strategic philanthropy that
leverages areas of competitiveness.The P-K framework, argues William Baue[3], draws its
strength from applying corporate strategic thinking to both leverage positive social and
environmental benefits and mitigate negative social and environmental impacts in ways that
enhance competitive advantage.An obvious example of this is Toyota's development of the
hybrid electric/gasoline car Prius.As environmental concerns have increased, Toyota stole a
march on major competitors such as General Motors and Ford by creating a series of innovative
car models that have both produced competitive advantage and environmental benefits. Hybrid
engines emit as little as 10% of the harmful pollutants conventional vehicles produce while
consuming only half as much gas.Prius has given Toyota a lead so substantial that Ford and other
car companies are licensing the technology. Toyota has created a unique position with customers
and is well on its way to establishing its technology as the world standard.Not to everyone's
taste, the TV Top Gear[4] team describe it as Hateful lentil-fuelled transport for the insufferably
self-righteous. And it's not even all that economical.'

Another reference for thinking about strategic CSR is as a set of questions, the answers to which
are constantly evolving as the discipline continues to define itself. According to authors William
Werther and David Chandler[5], questions include: "Who defines the boundaries between private
profits and public good?" and "Can the interests of firms, owners, and other stakeholders be
aligned, or are they inherently in conflict?".Their book, in the process of being revised, provides
a framework within which readers can explore and answer these questions for themselves.

Enough of theory.....
What happens when these ideas are transformed into a strategic framework to enhance the
competitive advantage of a company while preserving the values of CSR?
In 2008, MHCInternational Ltd worked out such a strategy for the oil company, Addax
Petroleum (AP).The following steps were identified.
1.

Report on where the key overall CSR trends are heading, including any legal
requirements.

2.

Provide benchmark examples of CSR, and assess CSR trends.To draw upon other oil
companies such as Premier Oil Consolidated who have won awards for their CSR
approach

3. Analyse AP's record in the light of GRI reporting guidelines and act accordingly.
4. Identify AP's existing CSR activities and projects to date with a view to identifying
competitive advantage.
5. Use MHCi's rapid impact sustainable assessment model (RISAM), and judge their
sustainability.
6. Identify, according to the stakeholder model of CSR, key activities that AP could do,
while bearing in mind (and identifying, at least qualitatively) the costs and benefits of
additional CSR activities.
7. Identify and interview key stakeholders as a pre-cursor to future, fully-fledged
stakeholder dialogues.Note that Premier Oil, for instance, has as its stakeholders Owners
and investors, Management, Employees, Customers, Suppliers, Government, Joint
Venture Partners, Local Community. Also note that the process of stakeholder dialogue is
more important for company performance than simply reporting on it.
8. Interview only a selection of stakeholders in each category but attach importance to
investors, suppliers and employees in the first instance.At this stage a fully-fledged
stakeholder dialogue will not be carried out but will be something for the future (see next
section).

9. Make use of the industry standard KPIs (for social, economic and environmental issues),
as suggested by GRI, and suggest which ones are most appropriate for AP.
10. Provide data for as many KPIs as possible in the short-term and suggest methodologies
for calculating those currently missing over the long-term
11. Work out key next steps and alternatives toward establishing a fully-fledged CSR strategy
for AP over a period of three years into the future.

Concluding Remarks
In the past decade, CSR has turned into many forms.At one end of the spectrum it is used to
emphasise corporate philanthropy where we often hear of CSR projects'.This notion can be
found in some developed countries such as the USA but is mainly found in emerging markets
across the world and is intended to increase the sustainability of such projects.At the other end of
the spectrum among many large corporations there is a much broader view of CSR where the
concept is at the core of a company's business strategy.
Moreover, the collapse of firms such as Enron, Lehman Brothers, and (now largely in public
hands) General Motors who all suffered from poor strategic models shows that new business
strategy models are essential. And, as argued here, a key message is that CSR is becoming a, if
not, the core of business activity.It is fast becoming acknowledged that a strategic stakeholder
model of engagement with the business environment means that the potential for avoiding
disasters and increasing success and innovation can be increased.CSR is obviously not a panacea
for all ills but more and more companies are seeing that it can enhance their competitive
advantage.
Why Corporate Social Responsibility is Important in 2015
We recently posted a blog on defining corporate social responsibility, but we want to take this
time to elaborate on its importance in strategic plans for both corporations and nonprofit
organizations, especially with the new year rapidly approaching.
Before we delve in, if youre part of a corporation, take a minute to think about some of the
programs you offer that can be considered socially responsible (in short, they should be
positively impacting the community). Are there any programs that you know of? If they exist,
what kind and how much of an impact are they having on the local community? How engaged
are employees in these programs?
If youre part of a nonprofit organization, what kind of programs do you participate in with
corporations to help solidify relationships in the community? Are you actively seeking these
kinds of connections? Are you helping to educate corporate officials why the relationship is
mutually beneficial?

So, final question. Did you have a good answer to any of the above questions? If so, this is key
information you need to work toward a larger, overall success in the realm of social
responsibility (from both the corporate and nonprofit side). If you werent 100% sure about your
answers, dont worry quite yet. Obtaining this information can be tough, but its important for the
future. Below, we discuss more concrete examples on how your organization can either continue
to or even start to benefit from programs like these, depending on your strategy for social
responsibility in 2015.
Corporate Social Responsibility How Corporations Benefit
As mentioned in our earlier blog about corporate social responsibility, current times dont allow
for companies to simply be in business for the sake of making a profit anymore. While
consumers may rely on corporations for goods and services, the level of competition allows
customers to make decisions based on several factors, including (maybe surprisingly) how much
good a corporation is also doing outside of the workplace. Many individuals today are basing
their corporate loyalties on how companies are positively impacting their community.
A Better Public Image
A corporations public image is at the mercy of its social responsibility programs and how aware
consumers are of them (remember, this is the biggest obstacle education and awareness)!
According to a study by Cone Communications, 9 out of 10 consumers would refrain from doing
business with a corporation if there existed no corporate social responsibility plan.
For example, if a company is heavily involved in the practice of donating funds or goods to local
nonprofit organizations and schools, this increases the likelihood that a consumer will use their
product. Additionally, if a corporation takes great care to ensure the materials used in its products
are environmentally safe and the process is sustainable, this goes a long way in the eye of the
public.
If you havent seen the Scarecrow video from Chipotle, you should take a few minutes to watch
it.
Remember, consumers feel good shopping at institutions that help the community. Clean up your
public image (and broadcast it to the world!)
Better and More Media Coverage
Going along with how the public sees your corporation, the amount of positive media coverage a
corporation receives is extremely important for business. It doesnt matter how much your
company is doing to save the environment if nobody knows about it. As they say, its okay to toot

your own horn every once in a while. Make sure youre forming relationships with local media
outlets so theyll be more likely to cover the stories you offer them.
How much good a company can do in the local communities, or even beyond that, is corporate
social responsibility. And the better the benefits, the better the media coverage.
On the other hand, however, if a corporation participates in production or activities that bring
upon negative community impacts, the media will also pick this up (and unfortunately, bad news
spreads quicker than good news). Media visibility is only so useful in that it sheds a positive light
to your organization.
Fosters a Positive Workplace Environment
This section is short and simple because its just common sense employees like working for a
company that has a good public image and is constantly in the media for positive reasons. Happy
employees almost always equals positive output.
Corporate Social Responsibility How Nonprofits Benefit
How corporations embrace corporate social responsibility in 2015 is also going to be of great
importance to the nonprofit world. Corporate giving programs, which can include everything
from matching gifts to volunteer grants; from team building volunteer efforts to fundraising
events. These types of programs, which vastly increase the public good that corporations are
doing, are vital to nonprofit organizations because of the great monetary and volunteer
implications.
Greater Funding through Employee Matching Gift Programs
Corporations that offer matching gift programs are essentially doubling donations that its
employees are giving to eligible nonprofits. For example, if an employee provides a $100
donation to a nonprofit of their choice, his or her employer (if the company offers a matching gift
program) will write an additional $100 check, thereby increasing total funds brought in. Its
really that simple!
A recurring theme here seems to be the education factor of it. These are phenomenal socially
responsible programs that benefit both corporations and nonprofits, but if they are underutilized
because of a lack of awareness, then these programs do little good. As a nonprofit, encourage
corporations to promote these programs to employees in fact, offer to help them! Use social
media outlets as a way to spread the word. Sometimes a simple Facebook post can make all the
difference.
It should also come as no surprise that matching gift programs increase employee engagement
for companies that offer these kinds of socially responsible programs, but they also help foster

deeper nonprofit-donor relationships. If youre looking to increase fundraising from existing

donors, matching gift programs are a great place to start.
Greater Time Commitments through Employee Volunteer Grant
Programs
Corporations that offer volunteer grants, or even offer paid time off to volunteer at nonprofit
organizations, are bringing in helping hands to eligible nonprofit organizations. A corporation
with this kind of program might offer (for example) a $250 check to a nonprofit once an
employee has volunteered at least 10 hours with the organization. There are also pay-per-hour
grants that many corporations offer, paying a certain dollar amount per hour volunteered.
This kind of socially responsible program is a win-win for both parties involved. Employees of
corporations are seen volunteering and donating their time to important causes in the community,
and nonprofits are receiving free time and volunteer work, which is essential the success of so
many nonprofits.
Volunteer grant programs are another huge reason why corporate social responsibility is
important, especially for the upcoming year!
Forging Corporate Partnerships
Yet another positive impact corporate social responsibility has on nonprofit organizations is the
possibility of corporate partnerships. These partnerships are vital to the work a corporation can
do in the local community, and important to a nonprofit that may not have the resources for
major marketing campaigns. Longterm corporate-nonprofit partnerships can benefit everyone.
For a corporation, a partnership with a local or national nonprofit organization improves the
companys image in the public eye, as consumers can clearly see the positive impact a
corporation is having on their community. A key benefit is that it makes it easier for consumers
to trust a company.
For a nonprofit organization, a partnership with a local or national corporation puts its name on
tons of marketing materials that otherwise could not have been afforded on tight budgets. A key
benefit is the partnership brings additional awareness to the nonprofits cause.
Corporate Social Responsibility Helps Everyone Involved
As you can see, socially responsible programs are mutually beneficial in the corporate-nonprofit
world. When working on your strategic plans for 2015, make sure to take some time and look at
the programs your company offers or benefits from and how they are working toward a better
community and corporate environment for everyone involved. Work from there to expand your
reach, and good luck!