Articles

Women’s Business Journal Features Article by Harbinger Partners Executive Director

Title: Cross-Sector Ties Build Trust, Image
Source:Women's Business Journal, September 2004
Author: Theresa Ellis
Website: http://www.womensbiz.com/

This news clip is from Harbinger Partners, before it joined forces
with the Corporate Volunteer Network to become Common Impact.

As competition grows among corporations for customers and talented employees, many for-profits are engaging with the community to differentiate themselves. In an era when positive image is essential, the for-profit/nonprofit partnership resonates with customers, potential customers and the like and creates a trusted brand. Since the 1980s, "a complete metamorphosis has occurred," notes a 2001 Points of Light Foundation report, as for-profit corporations recognize the benefits of involving their employees in the community.

For-profit corporations clearly are shifting the way that they think about philanthropy. In practical terms, though, how can a company make this shift?

The best way for a corporation to start is to ensure that the company has articulated its commitment to the community to its employees. When senior managers reinforce a company's commitment to employee involvement, employees feel free to get involved.

After that, companies can consider developing a policy that allows employees to volunteer on company time or can bolster the company's financial contributions with in-kind gifts, such as computers.

Companies can also think about how to use its richest resource -- its employees and their professional skills -- in a way that builds the capacity of a nonprofit organization. For example, think about how employees in your IT department can use their skills to set up a simple network at your favorite after-school program. Most companies find that the deeper the relationship with a nonprofit organization, the more rewarding that relationship is for both parties.

Here are four cornerstones to keep in mind as you begin building deeper relationships with nonprofit organizations:

  • Promote mutual respect for one another. Successful relationships hinge on for-profit corporations acknowledging that nonprofit organizations have a unique perspective on the needs of the community and that business experience alone will not solve social problems. At the same time, nonprofits organizations must appreciate that, despite their bottom-line focus, for-profits play an important role in the community.
  • Understand both parties' commitments and desired outcomes. At the beginning of any relationship, both the nonprofit and the for-profit need to articulate what they are committing to do and what they expect to receive from their work together. Be as specific as possible and put the details in writing so that both parties can review the progress of the relationship.
  • Communicate, communicate, communicate. At times, nonprofit staffers and technology professionals seem to speak different languages. Good relationships grow when both parties slow down, listen to one another, and ask questions to clarify things they don't understand.
  • Keep your sense of humor. Working across sectors -- in this case nonprofit and for-profit -- can be difficult; at some point in the process, someone usually missteps. Assuming the best of the other party's intentions and laughing at mistakes go a long way towards creating goodwill on both sides.

Building relationships across the nonprofit and for-profit sectors can be difficult, but it can also be enormously rewarding for both parties. Nonprofits gain access to professional skills that they could not otherwise afford. Technologically-inclined for-profits have the opportunity to align their philanthropy with their business. In the process, both get to know a little something about the other and build a stronger community in the process.

About Common Impact

Founded in 2000 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Common Impact develops and implements skills-based volunteering programs that pair business professionals from leading companies with high-potential local nonprofits addressing crucial after-school, housing, and community health care needs. Through its innovative model, Common Impact channels untapped resources into the nonprofit sector and fosters relationships that bridge the for-profit and nonprofit worlds.

Since its founding in 2000, Common Impact has worked with leading companies including Fidelity Investments, BEA Systems, CA, Cisco Systems, and State Street Corporation, achieving a 7:1 social return on investment.

For more information, please contact Lesley Edwards, Vice President of Partnerships, Common Impact (e-mail: ledwards@commonimpact.org, phone: 617-868-1014).