Home >
encouraging education ...supporting research...
urquhart memorial foundation
Corporate Philanthropy
Small and large businesses in the United States regularly support philanthropic projects, whether by donating snacks for a school event, allowing an employee to use work time or resources to help a good cause, or making a financial contribution to a charity. In the United States, such support is an expected part of being a good corporate citizen.
Businesses engage in philanthropy for a variety of reasons. A primary reason is that a business—really the leaders of the business—believe in a certain cause and are happy to direct resources toward it. There are other reasons as well. Helping the community allows a business's employees to feel pride in their employer and a personal connection to the efforts of the company. This raises employee morale and engenders a sense of affiliation with the company. Another reason is appreciation from the recipients and the community at large: Helping is good public relations. Finally, with the system of tax incentives created by the U.S. government, the "sting" of any financial contribution is at least partially offset by a corresponding tax break.
*excerpts by Robin L. Yeager from "Approaches To Giving"