Corporate Citizenship Briefs

As the COVID-19 pandemic and recession put more pressure than ever on donors and nonprofits, it’s urgent that we talk realistically about what it takes to solve society’s problems. The Impact Genome Project's Price of Impact Index can help with these discussions.

Jeff Hoffman speaks with Gerard Dehrmann, SVP, Public Affairs & State and Local Government Relations, Walmart Stores, Inc. and Kabir Kumar, Senior Director, Community, Walmart.org. to explore the dynamics of the relationship between company’s government relations and corporate citizenship functions and how they can work together to greater effect.

A recently released study found that workplace giving programs are growing in popularity and acceptance as companies look for more ways of investing in communities that are key to their business.

What community relations have long practiced is even more critical after the death of George Floyd. We often talk about the authenticity of “bringing our whole selves to work;” the concept works with bringing our whole company to the community. Beyond basic business functions, we bring our core competencies, and our corporate citizenship strategies to the community through cash, in-kind and product donations along with expertise; much of it delivered through our amazing employee volunteers.

There are financial, social, and health implications for companies, employees, and communities as we think about reopening the economy. Recovery will be a long and winding road, and companies have an opportunity not only to help lead but to help take us to a more green, humane, and thoughtful world.

Food security for vulnerable communities and front-line responders has taken on increased relevance and importance during the COVID-19 pandemic. These are five organizations that are responding in herculean way to help those most in need.

The actions we take and leadership we provide in supporting our organizations and communities through this crisis will strengthen their trust in us and our ability to once again rise to future challenges.

Two months ago, corporate citizenship and philanthropy professionals were primarily treating COVID-19 through their disaster relief plans and focusing on China. Now is the time to shift gears by looking at our own communities and the most vulnerable.

With the focus on the health and safety of staff and partners, how do you balance your work between planning for the impacts of COVID-19 and identifying alternative volunteer experiences for workers in response to travel restrictions and cancelled events?

Strategic partnerships with nonprofits are increasingly important to companies that understand the business case for community engagement. For Atlanta-based Novelis, a decade-long collaboration with FIRST has helped the company innovate and advance its diversity and inclusion goals.