About CECP | Overview

The Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy is the only international forum of business CEOs and Chairpersons pursuing a mission focused exclusively on corporate philanthropy.

MISSION

CECP's mission is to lead the business community in raising the level and quality of corporate philanthropy. Engaging with the public, private, and independent sectors, CECP members seek and create opportunities to serve as corporate giving advocates, practitioners, educators, and spokespersons to advance the case for philanthropy and to inspire other business leaders to make a lasting commitment to community giving.

PHILOSOPHY

Giving back, when conceived and executed thoughtfully, creates a win-win scenario for business and the public. From eradicating disease and improving childhood literacy rates to boosting employee job skills, opening new markets, and heightening brand recognition - business and society both stand to benefit greatly if companies can demonstrate programmatic effectiveness, fiscal accountability, and good stewardship in their philanthropic contributions.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership includes more than 165 CEOs and Chairpersons, including many leaders from the world's largest companies. Membership is by invitation and is renewed annually. View CECP's Membership List.

KEY PROGRAMS & EVENTS

  • CEO Conference. CECP's annual 'Board of Boards' Conference is a CEO-exclusive event at which eminent business leaders share their perspectives on leadership in corporate philanthropy.
  • Corporate Philanthropy Awards. CECP presents Excellence Awards annually to companies demonstrating outstanding CEO leadership, innovation, dedication to measurement, and partnership in corporate giving.
  • Online Philanthropy Measurement. CECP member companies gain access to an online reporting database containing over $26 billion in comparative data, which allows unlimited on-demand peer benchmarking. 
  • National Corporate Philanthropy Day. CECP designated this day to build awareness of corporate philanthropy among businesses, employees, government, media organizations, and the general public.
  • Corporate Philanthropy Summit. CECP convenes giving professionals each year, giving attendees the opportunity to interact with industry experts and with peers who share similar giving challenges and priorities.
  • Disaster Response. In support of the generous contributions made by member companies in the wake of natural disasters, CECP tracks donations and facilitates information-sharing sessions.

WHY CEOS JOIN CECP

By initiating or renewing membership, CEOs and Chairpersons join a network of distinguished corporate leaders actively working to effect positive change through corporate philanthropy and endorse the CECP vision and mission. CEOs take advantage of the opportunities presented through CECP membership including:

  • Peer networking opportunities on corporate philanthropy through CECP hosted programs.
  • Expert resources available to their corporate philanthropy professionals (including roundtables, events, and networking opportunities.)
  • Unparalleled philanthropy measurement through CECP's reporting and benchmarking program, the Corporate Giving Standard.

ADVOCATING FOR CORPORATE PHILANTHROPY

Leveraging people with events and research, the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy puts forward the compelling case for the integrated societal benefits of corporate giving. Behind each member quote is a leader who has the courage and determination to put his or her beliefs into practice. We urge all companies to take inspiration from their examples.

NOT GIVING YET?

If your company does not currently have a giving program, we suggest that you take the time to investigate opportunities and develop a strategic community effort in line with your corporate values and culture. CECP members are proof that such an investment will improve your bottom line in many important ways. Whether it is in employee recruitment and retention or working more efficiently with local governments, corporate giving is good for business - a singularly effective way to preserve and protect your license to operate.

WAYS TO DO MORE

If your company already does reach out to its many stakeholders through philanthropy, we invite you to consider whether you have fully leveraged your corporate strengths in the service of your giving goals. Mobilizing volunteers, engaging vendors in good works, supporting challenge grants, and forming lasting partnerships with nonprofits are all ways to boost the health of your business.

By standing together on corporate philanthropy, businesses make the statement that they are ready, willing, and able to live up to key stakeholder expectations of integrity and involvement. We invite interested CEOs and Chairpersons to contact CECP.

  
Paul Newman

PAUL L. NEWMAN, CHAIRMAN,
NEWMAN'S OWN, INC.

"I helped to start CECP with the belief that corporate America could be a force for good in society. I'm immensely proud of and inspired by all CECP members, who have risen to this challenge and accepted their responsibility to the global community."


Rochelle B. Lazarus

ROCHELLE B. lAZARUS, CHAIRMAN AND CEO, OGILVY & MATHER WORLDWIDE

"In my view, the debate about whether corporate philanthropy is right for the bottom line is over. The market has spoken and said it cares whether companies are good citizens. Engaging your company in corporate philanthropy is now part of being a good CEO."