AmazonSmile’s end is alarming, say not-for-profits that benefited
The e-commerce giant had launched AmazonSmile in 2013, contributing 0.5% of every purchase made by participating customers to the charity of their choosing.
Corporate Philanthropy
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Eli Lilly’s report card on racial justice effort shows $15.6M in donations
The Indianapolis-based drugmaker released a report card Thursday that outlined its progress “to support effective solutions” to racial inequity and social injustice. In addition to donations, the company has committed tens of millions of dollars to other diversity efforts.
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Cummins launches water-access program with $8M commitment
The new program, Cummins Water Works, will focus on improving access to safe water in the U.S., Mexico, Brazil, India and South Africa.
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Cummins awards more than $1M to boost Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood
The grant will be used to fund mortgages to low-income residents who are buying one of 12 newly-constructed homes that are being built on previously-vacant properties in the neighborhood.
Local tech firm Selfless.ly uses its platform to make sure Hoosiers get COVID vaccine
Indianapolis-based Selfless.ly is using its software to pull together an army of volunteers to help keep COVID-19 vaccination sites humming at optimal speed.
COVID-19 pandemic prompts Lilly, other groups to overhaul service projects
It’s a big pivot for organizations that traditionally create high-visibility fall projects to call attention to volunteerism and community service. In the process, they help dozens of neighborhood groups and scores of not-for-profits, from the United Way of Central Indiana to Keep Indianapolis Beautiful.
Charitable giving increased in 2019, boosted by corporate donations
Giving by businesses increased by 11.4% from 2018 to 2019, once adjusted for inflation. Giving by foundations reached a record high of $75.7 billion.
Q&A with Tedd Grain: LISC attacks health by improving where, how people live
The Local Initiative Support Corp. of Indianapolis is not trying to mandate solutions, Grain told IBJ. Instead, it aims to connect corporations and organizations that have resources with neighborhood leaders who have ideas about what people in those areas need.
Local firm gets ‘overwhelming’ response to coronavirus-inspired software giveaway
Passageways announced it would make its employee and board collaboration software free to aid not-for-profit organizations and government agencies challenged by the coronavirus pandemic. This week, Passageways expanded the offer to Indiana Chamber of Commerce members.
Tech firm Selfless.ly mobilizes army of volunteers to aid ailing not-for-profits
This week, Indianapolis tech firm Selfless.ly partnered with Serve Indiana—the state commission on volunteerism and service—to launch an initiative to identify a cadre of ready volunteers and match them with volunteer opportunities that can be accomplished while social distancing.
Sahm’s turns downtown cafeteria into temporary meal delivery space
Fishers-based Sahm’s Restaurant Group has teamed up with OneAmerica Financial Partners Inc. and the not-for-profit food relief organization Second Helpings to launch a meal-preparation operation.
Youth leadership group lands $11.6M grant from Lilly Endowment
The Indianapolis-based Center for Leadership Development, which promotes personal development and educational attainment for minority youth, said the grant announced Tuesday morning is expected to be “transformational.”
Michael Kaltenmark: Working to enhance the vitality of Midtown, 38th Street
Through a Butler University program dubbed Bulldogs into The Streets—or BITS—more than 1,250 volunteers who contribute 3,750 hours worth nearly $100,000 descend on the school’s neighborhood for projects.
Q&A: JPMorgan Chase’s Owen Washburn on boosting inclusive growth
Washburn oversees the company foundation’s grant-making strategy for Indianapolis as well as for Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Toronto. That means he’s looking for opportunities to translate the foundation’s larger goals into programs and strategies in those local communities.
Annual growth in charitable giving slows as predicted
Growth in charitable giving in the United States slowed in 2018, possibly as a result of the 2017 tax reform bill, according to an annual report that tracks American giving patterns. But the decline wasn’t as big as many predicted.
IBJ Podcast: How offering PTO for volunteering can boost retention, improve recruitment
Josh Driver, founder of Selfless.ly, which sells cloud-based software for managing corporate social responsibility programs, says volunteer PTO is an increasingly important part of benefits packages. In fact, nearly one quarter of companies now pay employees to spend their time and energy with a not-for-profit.
Josh Driver: 5 keys to an effective volunteer time-off program
Employees are not always fulfilled by their work. That can lead to expensive turnover, poor performance or disengagement. Empowering your staff to find purpose during work time creates loyalty to your company and helps fill the gaps their employment may not be creating at the moment.
Q&A with Tiffany Benjamin: Lilly’s efforts more than simply a day of service
“Our central focus as a company is always to make lives better. … It’s a value that is core to every single employee who works here. So if we can have programs that reinforce that we are a company that is focused on making lives better, then we are doing something that connects to our mission and reminds our employees what really matters to us as a company.”
Nate Feltman: Business community embraces volunteerism
Business leaders recognize today that they and their companies have the ability to positively impact their community through volunteerism efforts. Many see it as a responsibility.
Companies are giving employees more say in how, when they volunteer
Experts in corporate social responsibility, or CSR, say such programs are at least in part driven by millennials in the workforce and are almost necessary today to attract and maintain top talent.
Q&A: What corporate responsibility is—and isn’t
IU Kelley School of Business professor Amrou Awaysheh says the term corporate social responsibility is often misunderstood. It’s not just philanthropy or volunteerism. It’s how companies treat their employees, how they interact with the environment, and the care they take with their supply chains.
Local firm rolls out software designed to help charities win donations
Super Service Challenge, a national not-for-profit aimed at helping charities raise money and in-kind contributions, is launching a new e-platform designed by Indianapolis-based Sells Group meant to connect companies, volunteers and not-for-profits in a whole new way.