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ABAG's Adventures in Philanthropy Column
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"Charitable Giving - Expanding Corporate Giving"
The Daily Record
September 3, 2004
Betsy Nelson
Once again I hear people lamenting about the loss of a corporate headquarter and wondering what impact this will have on the Baltimore region. In my circles, the talk centers around what this means philanthropically, how much money might no longer be contributed to nonprofit organizations.
I've certainly had this conversation before. And, my answer continues to be the same. We don't know exactly how The Rouse Co./General Growth Properties merger will affect their philanthropy.
As part of the buy-out, The Rouse Company Foundation will receive an influx of $20 million, translating to more than $1 million in yearly contributions.
"That will quadruple the size of the Rouse Company Foundation and enable the Rouse Company Foundation to continue to support nonprofits in the region and the state that we've had a relationship with over the years," said Anthony Deering, Rouse's chairman, president, and CEO.
Our area has changed over these many years. Rather than mourning what was, I strongly believe that we need to embrace what can be and frankly, what is.
As the more traditional companies still located here fight for survival and growth in an increasingly competitive global market, whole new industries and new players have arrived on the scene.
The business pages of the local papers are filled with headlines about rising stars in health care, the life sciences and information technology, as well as other innovative endeavors. The entrepreneurs who are building these firms today are poised to be the corporate leaders of tomorrow.
And they will be joined by an ever increasing number of small and medium-sized companies who make up the bulk of the Baltimore business community.
In Baltimore, as well as in other parts of Maryland, we need greater involvement and an expanded base for corporate philanthropy, specifically from young fast-growing companies.
Future growth in corporate giving will come from small companies and small giving programs. There is indeed an opportunity for new players to have an impact.
Clearly, the business of business is and should be making money. A healthy community depends on the vitality of its businesses. In turn, we must recognize that businesses depend on the vitality and health of the communities where their employees live, work and where they do business.
Corporate contributions in today's world are investments, not charity. And as investments, they must yield substantial returns in order to remain viable. Helping with community problems today reduces company problems tomorrow.
There is growing recognition among companies across the nation that deleterious effects of urban poverty, poor education, lack of health care and unemployment have a direct and distinctly negative impact on the bottom line. It is clear, too, that becoming involved in a community reflects positively on the corporate giver.
Companies give to enhance their reputation and standing in the community, to create goodwill toward the company, to improve relations with clients and customers, and employees, and lastly, to build long-term benefits for the community and the business environment.
The future of our community rests on encouraging more businesses and individuals to do what they can, becoming involved in whatever way and to whatever degree possible.
For nonprofit executives, this means approaching their contributors as investors, with clearly articulated goals and objectives, emphasizing the returns they can realistically deliver on the contributions dollar.
In doing so, we can once again begin increasing the number of participating companies as well as the amount of philanthropic dollars flowing to our community.
Betsy Nelson is executive director of the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers. Her column appears every other week.
Other archived articles from ABAG's Adventures in Philanthropy Column:
"Charitable Giving - How to Build Healthy Neighborhoods"
"Charitable Giving - Neighborhood Excellence Initiative"
"Charitable Giving - Annie E. Casey Exec Inspires"
"Charitable Giving - Maryland's eSource for Advisors"
"Charitable Giving - Local Donor Collaborations"
"Charitable Giving - ABC and African-American Philanthropy"
"Charitable Giving - Local Foundations Show Support for Baltimore School System "
Charitable Giving: Maryland Business Giving Workbook
Charitable Giving - Take care with the Care Act
"Charitable Giving - Local Foundation Investment in Baltimore High School Reform"
"Charitable Giving - Shape Up...Live Well"
Charitable Giving - The Cost of Raising Money
CareFirst plus WellPoint equals foundation
Charitable Giving - National Philanthropy Day Celebrates Giving in Maryland
Charitable Giving - A Plan of One's Own: A Woman's Guide to Philanthropy
Charitable Giving - Defining moments
Charitable Giving - Corporate Caring
Charitable Giving - Conflicts of Interest
The Baltimore Fund of the TRF Urban Growth Partners
Teaching That Achievement Counts
"Charitable Giving - Good Time to Decide How Much to Give"
Charitable Giving - Capital/Endowment Fund Campaigns
Making Education a Priority
Charitable Giving - B'MORE Fund
State of Giving
How Effective Nonprofits Work
"Charitable Giving - Women Begin to Realize Full Potential as Philanthropists, Expert Says"
"Charitable Giving - Charitable Planning from the Advisor's Perspective"
"Charitable Giving - Expanding Corporate Giving"
"Charitable Giving - IYF Addresses Critical Concerns Facing Youth"
"Charitable Giving - Strategic Planning Part One
"Charitable Giving - Tips for Developing a Strategic Business Plan"
"Charitable Giving - There's A Right Way to Do the Right Thing"
"Charitable Giving - While You're Passing the Turkey, Take a Minute to Reflect"
"Charitable Giving - What We Give and Where It Goes"
"Charitable Giving - MD Companies Working to Make Holidays Special for Less Fortunate"
"Charitable Giving - Coming Together: Global Community Responds to a Natural Disaster"
"Charitable Giving - National Philanthropy Day Winners"
"Charitable Giving - Role of the Nonprofit Board"
Reason to believe
Charitable Giving - Technology & nonprofits
Charitable Giving - Advice to foundations
Charitable Giving - New resource for nonprofit groups
Charitable Giving - Inspired philanthropy
Charitable Giving - Developing Leaders
Charitable Giving - Wanted: Professional volunteers
Donor Advised Funds
"Charitable Giving - Salute to T. Rowe Price
"Charitable Giving - Teacher Appreciation Fund"
Charitable Giving - Youth and Volunteers
Charitable Giving - To Honor Mothers
"Charitable Giving - Future of philanthropy"
"Charitable Giving - Contributions to charities"
"Charitable Giving - Giving in tough times"
"Charitable Giving - Celebrating special occasions with philanthropy"
"Charitable Giving - B'MORE Fund"
"Charitable Giving - 20 years of building a community of grantmakers"
"Charitable Giving - Building a more effective board"
"Charitable Giving - When nonprofits discover the executive chair empty"
"Charitable Giving - Sustaining Yourself"
"Charitable Giving - Community development in Baltimore"
"Charitable Giving - Resource at Risk"
"Charitable Giving - Fundraising"
Maryland's Community Foundations: For Good and For Ever
Advisors
Knott Nonprofit Leadership Initiative
Digital Bridge Initiative
Dollars for doers'
Businesses Earn State Tax Credits Through Nonprofit Giving
Leadership Program of Their Own
CHARITABLE GIVING
Maryland foundations and corporations respond to tragedy
Reason to believe
Where's the Good News?
Turning the Corner
How to get youth involved in civic life
Recognizing Volunteers
Standards for Excellence
Considerations for Endowment Gifts
Determining what works
New directions for philanthropy
Giving through a business partnership
Your business can make a difference
A helping hand for helping hands
Donate Your Rebate – Maryland!
Leave a Legacy
Forming a Circle of Giving
Cultivating civically engaged young people through work, service
Celebrating the Spirit of Giving
Thanks/Giving Day
Stocks in the Future
Baltimore Neighborhood Collaborative
The Great Wealth Transfer
Investing in Our Community
In the Wake of Sept. 11
Adventures in Philanthropy
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