Smart Giving Is Good Business

Answers to the 12 most common and critical questions about corporate giving In this groundbreaking resource, Weeden shows how to strategically plan, manage and evaluate corporate contributions. Questions include: Why Should We Give?; How Much?; Who Decides?; Does a Company Need a Foundation?; How to Give Products or Services?; How Do We Know What Works? The book covers a wide range of topics including: The case for conditional corporate philanthropy; increasing stewardship to give more; assigning responsibility for signature programs; how CEOs leverage contributions programs for maximum benefit; effectively staffing corporate contributions programs; the pros and cons of corporate foundations; and more. Offers benchmarks for determining if a business has a meaningful philanthropic program that fosters constructive corporate citizenship Reveals how an effective philanthropic program and commitment can be incorporated in any organization Contains a comprehensive review of the information corporations need to make informed decisions about giving The author offers a prescription for linking businesses with causes and the nonprofits addressing critical issues in a way that will preserve or restore services and activities essential to our quality of life.

Introduction: Why More Corporations Are Giving Less v 1 Why Should a Business Give at All? 1 2 What’s the Right Amount to Give? 23 3 Who Decides What Gets Funded? 42 4 What’s the Right Role for the CEO? 58 5 Who Should Administer Company Donations? 77 6 Does a Company Need a Foundation? 91 7 Should a Company Donate Products or Services? 105 8 How Much Should a Company Donate for Dinners and Events? 131 9 Should a Company Fund the United Way, or Are There Better Alternatives? 143 10 How Should a Company Respond to a Disaster? 163 11 Can a Company Measure What Works? 187 12 How Should a Company Communicate Its Contributions Commitments? 206 13 What If a Company’s Profits Tank? 223 14 Conclusion: The Nun’s Tzedakah 234 Bibliography 241 About the Author 251 Businesses Index 253 Nonprofit Organizations Index 255 Subject Index 259