Newsletters
Common Connection
Volume 4, Number 1: January 30, 2009
This issue of Common Connection is dedicated to the generous individuals, foundations and companies whose support makes it possible for us to meet our mission. In 2008, we completed our 200th nonprofit engagement, expanded the roster of services we offer our nonprofit clients, and connected more skilled volunteers to high-potential nonprofits than ever before.
An investment in our work is an investment in the social fabric of our communities. Your support has enabled us to transform the way nonprofits do business and add exponential value to the communities in which we live and work.
To donate, please click
here or contact Sameen Saeed at 617-868-0150.
"Throughout our engagement, both the volunteer team members and Common Impact's consultants conveyed their own strong commitment to the mission of non-profits to improve their communities. This shared motivation created bonds between MBAE's team and Common Impact's that has contributed to the high quality of our accomplishments."
--Linda M. Noonan, Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education
"Without the help of Common Impact, it's quite likely that our organization simply wouldn't have been in a position to implement our IT project without spending significant (and scarce) unrestricted funds. We are grateful to both our volunteer team and the organization for keeping our offices running productively and helping us structure in a way that is efficient and secure."
--Thomas B. Powers, Boston Harbor Island Alliance
Telling Totals
Common Impact returns
seven dollars to the community
for every dollar invested in its work. Every one of our projects results in
$20,000-$60,000 in immediate value to our nonprofit clients, and also builds long-term self-sufficiency. This represents
ten times the value of equivalent time spent on traditional volunteering, and
4-8 times the value of an average corporate cash donation.
Powerful Philanthropy
We recently had the opportunity of catching up with one of our favorite friends and supporters, Charlotte Cramer Wagner. With several years of experience as a former marketing executive, Charlotte is devoted to helping nonprofits meet their missions. Here is what she had to say on the state of the economy and its repercussions on the nonprofit sector.
Sameen: Hi Charlotte! Tell our readers how you met Common Impact.
Charlotte: I was introduced to Common Impact's CEO, Theresa Ellis, through a mutual friend.
Sameen: You have been a really incredible supporter of Common Impact over the years. What drew you to our mission?
Charlotte: The Common Impact model leverages resources by forming partnerships between for-profit corporations and non-profit enterprises. By having Common Impact in the middle, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and skills, long-lasting good is achieved for less. It is a model where everyone wins, and benefits extend beyond the initial services.
Sameen: Given the recent state budget cuts and with nonprofits already reeling from the reductions in private philanthropy associated with the recession, do you see the sector changing at all to cope with these realities?
Charlotte: Yes, I think all sectors of the economy, non-profit and for-profit alike, will have to cope with the new financial and economic realities. All organizations will be looking at their operating statements and making contingency plans in case revenues fall short of previous years.
Sameen: Given the uncertainty in the economy, do you think donors will change the way they make decisions about where and how to give?
Charlotte: I do think the severity of this economic downturn will negatively effect giving overall. Many donors will give less this year than in previous years, and/or their giving will be more targeted.
Sameen: Can you share with us how the Wagner family celebrated the holidays?
Charlotte: We enjoyed the holiday in a pretty traditional way, by gathering family and friends to celebrate our blessings and to talk about how we can give back to our community this year.
Appearances
CSR Performance 2009: Opportunity, Process, Progress--the conference focuses on corporate social responsibility and performance management, May 11-13, New York, NY
Theresa Ellis, CEO of Common Impact with Emily Talley, Senior Director of Community Affairs at Capital One, will speak about the strategic, double-bottom line benefits of skills-based volunteer programs. To sign up, go to
www.gsmiweb.com. Enter coupon code "common15" and receive a 15% discount on registration!
Viewpoints
Techies Volunteer, Share Skills
A recent article in PC World showcases how people with tech skills are increasingly volunteering their skills overseas and how companies continue to support volunteerism.
View the full article:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/155848/geekcorps_volunteers.html?tk=rss_news
Welcome Aboard!
John McGeehan--Managing Director; to read more about John, click
here.
Eli Mitchell--Program Intern
Shannon Reinke--Business Development Intern
We're Hiring!
Common Impact is looking for candidates to fill two positions:
IT Systems Architect--to read the job description, click
here.
Director of Finance (part-time)--job description will be posted soon-stay tuned!
Pro Bono Superstars!
Karin Conroy came to Common Impact while finishing her MBA at the University of California, Irvine. Karin runs her own Marketing Consultancy,
Conroy Consults. She has been actively involved in a number of non-profit organizations over the past 10 years, leading their marketing and communications efforts. She helped us to consistently extend our brand identity into all of our communication methods.
Monument Staffing
A big thanks to
Monument Staffing for providing us with one day of free temp help. If your nonprofit needs similar assistance, contact Eric Gorewitz at 617-933-9203 or .
Link up to Common Impact on LinkedIn!
In case you haven't seen us on LinkedIn yet, here is the
link to our group, where all members are invited to share news and discussions about employee engagement programs, industry trends, CSR and more!
URL:
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?about=&gid=678067&trk=anet_ug_grppro
Common Impact In The News!
Common Impact was recently featured in
The Boston Herald and
The Wall Street Journal.
Put corporate philanthropy to work with skills-based volunteering, November 1,
The Boston Herald
Time Off for Good Behavior, December 2, 2008,
The Wall Street Journal
Make a Secure Online Contribution
Donate Now Through Network for Good
The Small Print
Thank you for reading the quarterly newsletter of Common Impact! We welcome your comments and contributions. Please send all inquiries to:
Common Impact
The Athenaeum Building
215 First Street, Suite 25
Cambridge, MA 02142-1236
Phone: (617) 492-3105
E-Mail: info@commonimpact.org
