This Week in Philanthropy – From Wall Street to Day Camp
This week’s headlines showcase the many faces of philanthropy. From re-examining corporate social responsibility on Wall Street to announcing a new philanthropy camp for kids in Tennessee, this week’s round up has something for everyone.
The Most Philanthropic Companies On Wall Street
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the recent economic climate has forced many Wall Street firms to rethink their approach to charitable giving. While many banks reduced their financial donations over the last year, Wall Street firms are contributing to nonprofits in other ways. For example, Goldman Sachs runs the 10,000 Women campaign designed to deliver business and management education to women across the globe. Wells Fargo works with the Taproot Foundation, which connects nonprofits with skilled business workers. And JP Morgan Chase is underwriting $10 million in grants for a project with the Brooking Institution to help public sector and business leaders maximize their communities’ greatest economic development resources.
International Corporate Philanthropy Day
International Corporate Philanthropy Day (ICPD) was celebrated on Monday, February 27. ICPD is international advocacy day intended to build awareness of corporate-community partnerships and to inspire businesses around the world to engage further. The Huffington Post compiled a slideshow of the top tweets celebrating #ICPD. The Empire State Building in New York and the Wrigley Building in Chicago were lit in green and blue on Monday to honor ICPD.
U.S. Investors Lack Interest in Companies Doing Good
The Chicago Tribune reports that top executives met in New York City on Monday for the ICPD Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy. Executives expressed frustration in the lack of interest from investors in their efforts to do social good, saying that employees and consumers are the ones heralding their companies’ social advancement efforts. The committee suggested the creation of a social responsibility index of companies that would help educate shareholders on the value of philanthropy.
Philanthropy Camp for Kids
Parents in Chattanooga, Tennessee who want to educate their little ones on how to make a positive difference in the world can consider a summer philanthropy camp, according to Nooga.com.
The one week camp is designed for first- through sixth-graders who will explore what philanthropy means and what it looks like through field trips, arts programming, games and guest speakers. Registration is open so don’t wait. We can only hope more of these camps start popping up across the country!