Corporate Citizenship & Philanthropy Briefs

Seventy-four percent of employees who do not serve on nonprofit boards are interested in doing so. This is a great opportunity for talent development of millennials and employees from diverse backgrounds, two groups underrepresented on boards. Companies can make board work happen for their employees by helping them find suitable matches in the nonprofit sector, by training them in the legal and oversight responsibilities they will need, and by supporting and recognizing them for their work.

Despite research suggesting most consumers feel that businesses should take an active role in driving social and environmental changes, in 2019 companies are likely to tone down their public advocacy. As companies plan for 2019 with a divided government in Washington, it could be important to navigate new policies and regulations with dialogue on the issues.

Artificial intelligence (AI) could help to address significant societal challenges, including those identified in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For organizations that seek to use such technology for social good, an understanding of the existing use cases and potential for social impact should be considered within the context of a heightened regulatory framework that might stifle successes.

The charitable/social/independent sector is a formidable economic force that's reported to generate 10 percent of the country's gross national product, but the lack of any standard name for it could be diminishing its influence on public policy. Leaders will need to step up to agree on terminology that gives the sector collective clout.

Leading businesses are turning to purpose to articulate their mission, power growth, unite and motivate the organization, and become future-ready in a world of non-stop change. Companies can and should use purpose intentionally to figure out how to run their businesses.

Corporate volunteering is now a global practice that was boosted by President George H.W. Bush's founding of Points of Light and the National Council on Workplace Volunteering. As the country remembers the 41st President, reflecting on his work to encourage employees to use their expertise in service to their communities can help motivate companies and their employees to continue his legacy.

Total corporate giving has increased more than 15 percent over three years to a record $23.8 billion, as companies have become more generous. The growing economy and favorable tax cuts have left some companies with healthy cash reserves and many have promised to direct a portion to their communities.

Eighty-two percent of board members, business owners, and corporate executives say it's necessary for companies to advocate for or take a stand on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, as employees and customers increasingly demand that companies become more vocal. A majority also believe that advocacy by CEOs will increase in the next 18 months, following in the footsteps of recognizable leaders whose brands have inspired blue chip companies to use their voices.

Data privacy regulations challenge the growth of virtual volunteer technologies, but companies that can navigate these challenges stand to improve employee engagement opportunities. At the World Volunteer Conference and Global Corporate Volunteer Council in Germany, companies discovered how technology can help them respond to the demands of their employees for meaningful volunteer engagements.

The majority of companies do not measure standardized outcomes related to arts, despite the fact that doing so would help them show the effect of arts support on company objectives. The Impact Genome Project®, an initiative of Mission Measurement, provides a framework for standardized outcomes in the arts sector that companies should be utilizing to understand their contributions’ effectiveness.