How to create a meaningful corporate philanthropy program

An interview with Randal Rucker, Chief Executive Officer, Family Service of Greater Boston

As the head of a leading Boston nonprofit organization, who also serves on the boards of private companies, Randal Rucker understands what it takes to build meaningful corporate philanthropy programs. A strong believer in corporate-nonprofit partnerships, Rucker discussed with us recently the factors that make a solid corporate philanthropy program.

Even in these tough times, Rucker says companies can make a meaningful impact with minimal resources.

Q. We hear a lot about the charitable programs of large corporations. How can a smaller company start a charitable program that won’t break the bank?

A. There are strategies a company should employ to help focus their program and make it effective and meaningful, even with small dollars:

• The company owner or board of directors needs to start out with a long-term commitment.
• They should set aside a specific amount of dollars for this effort.
• They need to involve the entire organization, from entry level all the way to the board. The company should survey its employees as to the top three to five issues they care about – education, healthcare, the environment, immigration, hunger and homelessness, for example.
• Once the areas of social concern are identified, the company should assemble a strong committee, including representatives of all levels, to perform due diligence on how their dollars can have an impact. Let’s say there’s a particular school the company wants to support. This committee should learn everything about the school, meet with its principal and staff to ascertain their needs. A small-scale effort of one company may not have a broad impact, but it will have a meaningful impact.
• When a relationship with a beneficiary organization is established, the company should commit to it for at least two to three years to have a lasting impact.

Read more in our full interview with Randal Rucker.