Since 2008, and the beginning of this most recent economic downturn, U.S. businesses have been struggling on many fronts.
At the same time, according to a June 10, 2009, press release issued by Giving USA Foundation, corporate giving decreased in the year 2008 by 4.5 percent (-8 percent in inflation-adjusted dollars).
In a strange twist, though, the hard times seem to have generated an unusually energizing effect on volunteerism. For example, The Hitachi Foundation recently reported that “large companies significantly increased their investments and involvement in citizenship activities.”
In its 2009 State of Corporate Citizenship Report, The Hitachi Foundation published results of a joint project with the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship. Nearly 54 percent of those corporate executives surveyed believe that corporate citizenship is even more important in a recession. To read the entire report, see “Weathering the Storm: The State of Corporate Citizenship in the United States 2009.”
Nonprofit organizations need donations not only to help their communities, but also in order to run their philanthropic ventures and foundations. For instance, when training budgets are cut, these nonprofits can feel significant strains, particularly when carrying out strategic and operational goals.
As a remedy, companies are implementing skills-based volunteer activity programs. For example, leadership training can allow for companies to contribute their collective business knowledge expertise and experiences in order to help nonprofits. And, at the same time, these companies will benefit as a direct result of developing their employees’ skills.
As another example: By intentionally linking two connected areas such as community involvement and training, innovative companies can meet their strategic business goals; save money; and, at the same time, contribute new resources into their communities.
In closing, consider this: New York-based Deloitte, LLP found that nine out of 10 nonprofits surveyed are in need of skilled volunteers in areas such as, but not limited to, finance, marketing and human resources. To read the press release, see Deloitte’s April 13, 2009, announcement posted on their Web site.