In 2013, contributions to U.S. nonprofits grew to more than $335 billion — approximately 2 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product. Of that sum, only 5 percent came from corporations. There are solid business reasons why this number should be larger. New studies demonstrate that corporate social responsibility helps not only the world, but… Read more »
Author: Bruce DeBoskey
Bruce DeBoskey is a Colorado-based philanthropic strategist working with The DeBoskey Group to help businesses, families and foundations design and implement thoughtful philanthropic strategies and actionable plans. He is the president of the Colorado Philanthropic Advisors Network, a teaching fellow with Boston College’s Center for Corporate Citizenship and a frequent speaker at conferences on philanthropy.
100 years of community foundations: Accomplishments and challenges
The first community foundation was created 100 years ago in Cleveland. Within five years, additional community foundations sprung up in Boston, Chicago, Buffalo, Milwaukee and Minneapolis. Today, there are more than 700 community foundations in urban and rural communities across the United States. With more than $50 billion in combined assets, they distribute an estimated… Read more »
Domestic microfinance helps people start businesses, alleviate poverty, and create jobs
In international microfinance, small loans are made to help people in developing countries lift themselves out of poverty. This concept also works domestically. In the U.S., nonprofit microfinance organizations help low-income people start businesses, create jobs, alleviate poverty and improve their opportunities. Traditional financial institutions were created to help people who already have money or… Read more »
Hunger where we live — the philanthropic response
For more than 30 years, I’ve lived in the same neighborhood in Denver. It’s nice – with neat lawns, friendly people and a great sense of community. Just a few blocks from my home, there’s a public elementary school. Recently, I received a flier that asked for food donations to help fill the Friday-afternoon backpacks… Read more »
Reap benefits of donor-advised funds while giving to causes you care about
In the philanthropic universe, there are many ways to give. The challenge becomes selecting the tool that best helps donors meet their unique philanthropic goals. The fastest-growing tool in this arena is the widely acclaimed donor-advised fund. More than 200,000 DAFs have been created, with an estimated $50 billion now under management. DAFs are 501(c)(3)… Read more »
Philanthropy has more intrinsic benefits than you think
Children are hungry. Polar ice caps are melting. Injustice and inequality run rampant. The education system is broken. Natural places are diminishing visit this site right here. Arts groups are folding. The list goes on. Any objective person recognizes the urgent need for philanthropy, as it may be our last hope of addressing these and… Read more »
Employee engagement builds better companies, stronger communities
Being fully “engaged” at work profoundly influences an employee’s willingness to learn and perform, and has real impact on a company’s bottom line. Engagement is defined as an employee’s positive or negative emotional attachment to a job, to colleagues and to an organization. Unfortunately, 71 percent of employees in the United States are either “not… Read more »
The 7 Deadly Excuses for Avoiding Philanthropy
Millions of generous Americans donate to charities as individuals or as part of a family or business. At the same time, many other people buy into myths about giving — myths that undermine their willingness to give (or give more) to worthy causes. Some of the common excuses I’ve encountered over the years: I don’t… Read more »
Religious values fuel charitable giving
The world’s major religions actively promote philanthropy by encouraging charitable actions that address such pressing issues as income inequality, hunger, homelessness, climate change, discrimination and injustice. America’s religions do the same. In 1835, political thinker Alexis de Tocqueville observed, “Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness… Read more »
Corporate-citizenship enhances triple bottom line
Companies of all sizes, from the local restaurant to the regional law firm to the national or international corporation, are recognizing that an active corporate social-responsibility program plays an essential role in ultimate business success. No matter the size of the company, the community or the contribution, these entities realize that having a reputation as… Read more »