Exploring Corporate Philanthropy
A Member Survey
Drawn from interviews with philanthropy executives at 31 CECP member companies, this report examines the evolving management practices of corporate giving programs and provides actionable best practices and “quick tips” for practitioners. Report highlights include:
Drawn from interviews with philanthropy executives at 31 CECP member companies, this report examines the evolving management practices of corporate giving programs and provides actionable best practices and “quick tips” for practitioners. Report highlights include:
- Significant Emphasis on Strategy and Restructuring. 68% of giving departments significantly revised their philanthropic strategy and structure between 2001 and 2004 in response to several developments, including the tsunami in Asia, 9/11 tragedies, government legislation, the external business environment, and shifting business objectives.
- Increased Interest in International Philanthropy. 42% of corporate respondents reported having an international philanthropic presence, while 46% were developing plans to increase and refine their global involvement.
- Importance of Employee Initiatives. More than 90% of giving departments reported having volunteer programs, while 48% encouraged volunteerism through providing paid time-off to engage in personal volunteer projects or creating coordinated volunteer events.
- Changing Perspectives on Publicizing Giving. While 71% of giving departments used PR as a communications strategy, 35% leveraged marketing or advertising to raise awareness, and 26% issued annual community relations/corporate responsibility reports.
- Decentralized Decision Making. Only 26% of the companies interviewed managed their giving departments exclusively from corporate headquarters, 20% incorporated local or regional management into areas of their corporate philanthropy program, and 54% operated through a hybrid model of the two.
- Popularity of Signature Campaigns. 55% of giving departments engaged in one or more signature campaigns, which are defined as significant initiatives that are a central focus of a company’s philanthropy. The majority of companies not engaged in signature campaigns plan to launch this type of program in the future.
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