Elena Mocan
Head of Sales, Mekanys Inc
Republic of Moldova
If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be and why?
Ambitious. I constantly strive to improve and innovate, pushing my limits to achieve new heights. For instance, when faced with a challenging project at work, I set ambitious goals, worked diligently, and collaborated with teammates to not only meet but exceed expectations, showcasing my drive for continuous improvement and success.
Pledge 1% provides a framework for businesses to do good. Do you think it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact? If so, why?
Yes, it’s increasingly important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact. Beyond traditional profit-driven objectives, businesses are now seen as integral parts of the larger community and society.
Prioritizing social impact through initiatives like Pledge 1% not only enhances a company’s reputation but also fosters employee morale, attracts socially conscious consumers, and contributes to building a sustainable and responsible business model. In the current business landscape, companies that actively engage in social responsibility are often better positioned for long-term success and positive societal contributions.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Embrace failure as a stepping stone to success.” This advice encourages a mindset of resilience and learning from setbacks. It reminds me that failures are not the end but rather opportunities to grow, adapt, and ultimately move closer to achieving my goals.
“Embrace failure as a stepping stone to success.”
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
Remember that every career journey is unique, so stay true to yourself, be adaptable, and enjoy the learning experiences along the way.
Original article here
Author: LOUIS TÊTU
If you take a quick scan of recent headlines about corporate ESG momentum, you’re likely to see the word “trend” popping up time and again. It’s a word that could falsely imply the ESG movement is fleeting. But in fact, all signs point to permanence, with more ESG requirements poised to become mandatory in 2024 and beyond.
None of this is surprising. Investing in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives is the right thing to do for people and the planet. It also appears to be a sound performance strategy that helps to attract and retain talent—particularly as millennials and Gen Z become more dominant in the workforce.
The big question on the minds of many founders is not whether to embrace philanthropic leadership, but rather when is the right time. The answer might surprise you.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
Back in 2021, my company, Coveo, joined Pledge 1%, a global movement to inspire, educate, and empower all companies to leverage their assets for good. The movement challenges organizations to pledge 1% of equity, 1% of employees’ time, 1% of profits, and 1% of technology capabilities. While our pledge date may not appear noteworthy on the surface, that changes when I reveal that we took the pledge during the run-up to our IPO.
Pledging equity on the road to IPO might feel off-limits, whether due to concerns around bandwidth, board pushback, investor dilution, or even the misconception that it’s too late. In fact, founders at many companies, including DocuSign, PagerDuty, and Twilio, all successfully spearheaded Pledge 1% commitments within a couple of years, or even a couple of months, of their own IPOs.
Not only is it possible to take action pre- or concurrent-IPO, it’s also much simpler to get shareholder’s approval. The upsides are plentiful, including the amazing potential to create billions of new philanthropy dollars that can be used to address significant societal issues for years to come. But just because it’s possible, doesn’t mean everything is simple.
The good news is you don’t have to go in blind. Here are five takeaways from my team’s experience with committing to Pledge 1%.
5 KEY LEARNINGS FROM A PRE-IPO PLEDGE JOURNEY
1. Get Your Board Aligned And Onside
Leaders who have been through the Pledge 1% process recommend meeting with each board member individually so you can connect and communicate with them in their preferred manner. I support this approach, as it allows you to feel out reactions and address questions one on one.
My company’s board was unwaveringly supportive of joining Pledge 1%, even given the timing. We were also fortunate to have a board member who had already participated in Pledge 1%. That individual’s support was invaluable throughout the process.
2. Think Long Term
The decisions you make early on are binding for years, so it’s crucial to make informed choices and consider all the regulatory complexities. For example, as a Canadian company, we faced constraints related to stock legends in the U.S. Fortunately, nothing proved insurmountable.
Your equity source can be corporate, founder, or a hybrid. We committed to a corporate upfront model with a sale schedule over multiple years. “Upfront” means investor dilution happens all at once and the full amount is on the cap table. This approach could allow you to benefit from stock upsides and speak confidently about your commitments, knowing your philanthropic vision is protected from management changes or M&A activity.
3. Surround Yourself With Experienced Advisors
Tax considerations weren’t a primary concern for us, but yours may require proactive measures to receive charitable receipts. Surrounding yourself with tax, legal, and accounting experts with Pledge 1% experience is a sound strategy, as it helps you avoid unnecessary expenses and time.
We also decided to partner with donor-advised funds, or DAFs, in the U.S. and Canada rather than setting up a private corporate foundation. This allows us to more easily give back to local communities where most of our employees and customers are based.
4. Tap Into The Expert Tools
The Pledge 1% program provides access to tools, networks, and expert guidance from its team and founders who have been through the process. Standing on the shoulders of these giants can help to significantly streamline the implementation process, particularly amidst the madness of IPO preparations.
5. Identify An Owner
Being part of Pledge 1% centralizes ESG efforts, easing reporting and coordination. Identifying a passionate in-house owner helps to drive long-term success. Even smaller companies that can’t invest in a dedicated senior impact executive can do this. For example, we’re fortunate to have our CMO leading our ESG efforts and rallying 50+ employees to join the committees.
IDENTIFY A CLEAR MISSION AND GO FOR LONG-LASTING IMPACT
At Coveo, we chose to be part of the Pledge 1% movement because it provides a proven, sustainable way to fund our social impact for years to come. It’s also an amazing way to keep us laser-focused on a mission that is highly meaningful to our organization and our people.
We put knowledge and education at the center of our 1% Pledge because we passionately believe that education is the ultimate social equalizer. Our initiatives prioritize programs for young people aged 6-18 years old in vulnerable social groups who are challenged with accessing knowledge and education. We’re already making great strides.
Since taking the pledge in 2021, we’ve donated more than a million dollars, plus thousands of employee volunteer hours, to worthy causes. Achieving this milestone wouldn’t have been possible without the willingness of our leaders and board to explore joining Pledge 1% while on the road to IPO.
I hope the insights I shared in this article ignite meaningful discussions about how to build a long-term liquidity vehicle for supporting organizations aligned with your company’s mission. The more late-stage companies that join Pledge 1%, the faster we can make meaningful corporate philanthropy the new normal.
Co-created by Salesforce and Pledge 1%.
There’s no better advocate for the Pledge 1% movement than a Pledge 1% company. Each company that has taken the pledge has earned the credibility — and has the responsibility — to inspire, educate, and empower other companies to use their business as a platform for change. To face today’s global challenges, we need every business to adopt an integrated approach to philanthropy and to rethink their role as corporate citizens.
Fortunately, one of the most effective ways to activate your network is also one of the simplest: integrating social impact and Pledge 1% into your marquee events. These events are a great way to engage your entire ecosystem already gathered there: your customers, employees and partners. They provide a ready-to-go platform to amplify core messages around your culture and values. By embedding Pledge 1% into those core messages, you can ensure that your values shine through and motivate other companies to get involved in building a better future for all.
The 10 ideas listed were co-created by Pledge 1% and the Salesforce team, who have worked together annually to integrate Pledge 1% into Salesforce’s tentpole events like Dreamforce.
This year, we’ve already seen some great examples of Pledge 1% members activating their networks to grow the corporate social impact movement!
Docusign Momentum 2024
Attendees of Docusign’s had a chance to enjoy a cup of joe while learning about Pledge 1% and their carbon footprint in the Impact Lounge sponsored by Salesforce. Digital signs throughout the conference highlighted the Pledge 1% movement. A short quiz also showed attendees their personal carbon footprint, prompting them to commit to one action that would decrease their carbon impact.
And in case folks missed the signs, Pledge 1% made an appearance in their cappuccinos!
Atlassian TEAM Conference 2024
Pledge 1% was strongly present at TEAM ’24 with the Atlassian Foundation booth proudly representing Pledge 1% on their backdrop and Pledge 1% signs placed at member exhibitor booths. Pledge 1% members Atlassian, Adaptivist, and Appfire even sported Pledge 1% co-branded t-shirts and swag during the conference.
Atlassian, Adaptivist, and Appfire hosted a session to create toy pandas and care packages for children hospitalized with PANS/PANDA. The Atlassian Foundation team also held a volunteering event with 50 of the company’s leaders, where they cleaned, planted and refurbished a community park.
Check out these tips and examples to build an event strategy that works for your company!
Mirjana Perkovic
Entrepreneur, Founder, CEO, LookStyler
Brussels, New York
If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be and why?
As a global citizen, I’ve explored 107 countries across six continents already, embodying a pluralistic worldview.
Pledge 1% provides a framework for businesses to do good. Do you think it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact? If so, why?
Corporate leaders need to explore social impact to ensure equal access to finance and opportunities for all, fostering diversity in leadership and addressing systemic inequalities, thus creating more inclusive and sustainable organizations that benefit society as a whole.
Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like?
As an entrepreneur, I give back to society by creating jobs, serving as a female role model, and mentoring other female leaders, thus contributing to positive social impact and empowerment.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
The best piece of advice I’ve received is that “When you think you have been buried, you have actually been planted,” inspiring resilience in overcoming adversities and embracing change as opportunities for growth and renewal.
“When you think you have been buried, you have actually been planted.”
This year’s International Women’s Day themes are focused on investing in women and inspiring inclusion. What can we do to make today’s workplaces more equitable and inclusive for women?
Workplaces must prioritize becoming more equitable and inclusive for women, achieved through inspiring women to pursue leadership roles, implementing systemic changes to support their advancement, and emphasizing the promotion and elevation of feminine female leaders who exemplify qualities of grace and empathy.
We must ensure immediate access to substantial financing for all female entrepreneurs who embody the true qualities of inspired leadership.
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
This year, I’m eagerly anticipating scaling my business and publishing my debut book, while also prioritizing investments in both personal and professional growth.
My aim is to inspire fellow female leaders to take decisive action for positive change, fostering a supportive and empowering community for women’s advancement.
Author: Adara Development
It was a desire to make a difference that first put Pledge 1% on Ansarada Co-Founders’, Sam and Rachel Riley’s radar. And it was a transformative meeting with Adara Group Founder and Chair, Audette Exel AO, that led Ansarada to pledge 1% of their equity, time and product to Adara.
Ansarada is a global ASX-listed software as a service business that companies, advisors and governments rely on for securely managing critical information, workflow and collaboration in high stakes processes like deals, risk, compliance, governance and procurement. The Adara Group is an international development organisation delivering quality health and education services to people living in poverty in some of the world’s remotest places.
When Ansarada learnt of Adara’s life-changing work and their innovative business-for-purpose model (more on that here) it seemed like a meeting of minds and a natural alignment on purpose. It marked the beginning of a powerful partnership that is still going strong, ten years down the line.
This partnership has seen Ansarada staff give their time to set up technology platforms or provide marketing support as part of the 1% of time pledge. It’s seen Adara get access to Ansarada’s software thanks to the 1% of product pledge. And it has seen Adara become an Ansarada shareholder through the 1% of equity pledge.
Since the beginning of the partnership in 2015, both organisations have grown and evolved. But what’s held it all together?
“It goes back to the culture,” Rachel says. “As we have gone from start up to scale up, it’s culture that trumps all other strategic outcomes. And as you scale up, that culture can change based on the people you hire and the community around you. Culture is obviously influenced by the people and your growth journey. But the starting culture of a start-up business is arguably built by the values that the founder(s) have.”
The founders of Ansarada always knew they wanted to create impact beyond just their business. They built giving – and Adara specifically – into their culture, right from the very beginning.
“Adara hasn’t just fit into that culture, Adara has actually helped create that culture,” Rachel says. “If we did a survey today of everyone globally across the business, in terms of what philanthropic impacts they’re passionate about, they would say the disadvantaged, the women and children in poverty in remote places. That’s Adara. They’ve grabbed that passion, they’ve heard that story and they can see the impact of what they’re doing.”
By understanding the causes that would resonate with their staff and embedding it early, Ansarada built a powerful culture that has endured recruitment drives, capital raisings, ASX listings and stakeholder changes.
“In a million different ways, the culture of Ansarada and the culture of Adara have clicked really deep,” agrees Adara’s Founder, Audette Exel. “And I cannot emphasise enough how important culture is for a business – everything flows from there.”
It’s been a mutually beneficial partnership. And the decision to choose Adara as the sole beneficiary of Ansarada’s 1% pledge was conscious, according to Rachel.
“Having a foundational rock with a non-for-profit that you support really helps your business,” Rachel says. “Having the pillar that everyone is centred around, that’s where the deep impact comes from.”
This hasn’t stopped the Ansarada team from getting involved with other local volunteering opportunities. But it has meant they approach their corporate giving in a much more strategic and targeted way, with Adara at the centre, bringing it all together and creating a bigger impact.
Audette, a social entrepreneur in her own right, has one key piece of advice for any organisation looking to begin their Pledge 1% or social impact journey: “Do it early. Like really early. Do it quick. And then embed it. When you’re starting, 1% may be 1% of very little. Once you grow a business, if you’re lucky enough and if you’re able to build something to scale, the impact can be massive – as it has been for us at Adara.”
Rachel agrees. “Ansarada wouldn’t be what it is today without the Adara relationship,” she says. “But if these partnerships aren’t embedded early on, it’s a difficult story to tell stakeholders later down the line.”
The tangible impact of a 1% pledge became clear earlier this year when Adara sold their stake in Ansarada. This followed the announcement of the proposed sale of part of Ansarada’s business.
“We poured that money straight into saving lives,” Audette says.
For both Adara and Ansarada, the impact of this 1% of equity is more than you’d ever see on a balance sheet. It’s a baby opening its eyes in a hospital in rural Uganda, who otherwise might have died. It’s a 12-year-old girl in a school uniform, rather than a wedding dress. It’s a child who was pulled out of a basement on her way to the trafficking trade, graduating top of her class.
And that’s exactly what the Pledge % movement is all about. Using the power of business to create change. To save lives.
To be a force for good.
Vicky Zachareli
VP of Marketing, rready
Zurich, CH / Athens, GR
If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be and why?
Fair. I may not always succeed, but I always aim for fairness. Since the world can be an unfair place, I believe we should all do our part to make it as fair as possible within our own reach.
Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like?
rready continuously supports any opportunities to give that arise. We have supported several different communities’ initiatives from students in Switzerland to entrepreneurs in Namibia.
Me personally I am a volunteer mentor for women who want to evolve professionally or change career paths.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
How you start things off matters.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
It’s not going to be easy, what matters is to get up after every fall and keep going. And don’t forget to take care of yourself on the way.
“Don’t forget to take care of yourself on the way.”
Daniella Rhodes Lorenzo
Technical Strategy Director, Toqio Fintech SL
Madrid, Spain
If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be and why?
If I could describe myself in one word, it would be “trailblazer.” I’ve always been driven by a relentless passion for pushing boundaries and paving new paths in the world of technology. Whether it’s architecting innovative solutions or leading teams to exceed expectations, I thrive on challenging the status quo and charting a course toward excellence. Being a trailblazer means embracing change, seizing opportunities, and inspiring others to join me in the best way I can.
Pledge 1% provides a framework for businesses to do good. Do you think it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact? If so, why?
Absolutely, businesses play a significant role in shaping society and influencing positive change. By prioritizing social impact, corporate leaders not only contribute to the greater good but also foster a culture of responsibility and sustainability within their organizations.
By proactively addressing social impact issues, businesses can help create a more stable and equitable society, which benefits everyone in the long run, also it can can increase employee engagement, morale, and loyalty, ultimately leading to higher retention rates and a more motivated workforce which nowadays is very difficult to create.
Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like?
Giving back to the community is a fundamental aspect of both my personal values and the culture we cultivate within our teams and work environment. I am personally part of two organizations that contribute to help children in need, provide them with access to education, and healthcare delivery.
When it comes to business, we work as a team to start initiatives such as running or walking to donate to children in need, we do several activities that involve the whole company to contribute to schooling and rare disease investigations.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t think everyone thinks like you do, be patient, listen to what others have to say and don’t give the solution to a problem straight away, let others work on their knowledge and skills to reach an answer. If needed to help them reaching an answer, help them work to it and they will finally learn to work out issues without your help.
“Don’t think everyone thinks like you do, be patient, listen to what others have to say and don’t give the solution to a problem straight away, let others work on their knowledge and skills to reach an answer.”
This year’s International Women’s Day themes are focused on investing in women and inspiring inclusion. What can we do to make today’s workplaces more equitable and inclusive for women?
Creating more equitable and inclusive workplaces for women requires intentional and proactive efforts across various aspects of organizational culture and structure so the most important thing is to foster this culture across the whole business and make sure everyone is aware of this.
Two ideas would be:
1. Fostering a culture of flexibility and work/life balance, recognizing that women often bear a disproportionate amount of caregiving responsibilities, organizations can promote flexibility and work/life balance initiatives that accommodate diverse needs and lifestyles. This can include offering remote work options, flexible scheduling, and paid parental leave policies that support both men and women in balancing their professional and personal responsibilities.
2. Investing in leadership development and training. To cultivate a pipeline of female leaders, organizations can invest in leadership development and training programs specifically tailored to women’s needs and aspirations. This may include things such as executive coaching to help women overcome barriers to advancement and build confidence in their leadership abilities. Every time the number of women in leadership positions grow but it’s still difficult to find mentors who a women and that can help you have that confidence or have a “look up to” person.
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
The most exciting thing about this year is that I am going to be a mother for the second time and I am scared but thrilled at the same time. We live in a city where we have no family at all and my partner works in a different country so needs to fly a lot so this is going to be very interesting to fight for.
On a professional level we’re in a very powerful moment where we’re transitioning to a new architectural design and it’s a difficult transition because it requires a lot of changes and improvements not only in a technical level but also in the way of working; but at the same time it’s very exciting to envision what our platform is going to look like and the strength and work that’s behind it.
Author: SpringFive
Pledge 1% member SpringFive shares how its team is having an impact by donating 1% of equity, team time, and product via Pledge 1%. Read their Impact Report HERE for more.
Maddja Nazari
CEO, Leadfront AB
Stockholm, Sweden
If you could describe yourself in one word, what would that be and why?
Determined; I believe that there is nothing in world that can not be achieved if one is willing to work hard, stay focused, and persevere relentlessly towards their goals.
Twelve years ago, I moved to Sweden without any relatives in the country, in order pursue my master’s education. At that time, not knowing the language, and countries regulation made starting a company seem like a difficult goal to achieve. However, I was determined to start my first company before turning 30, and everything I did was a step towards this objective. Four years later, just a month before my 30th birthday, I founded Leadfront.
Pledge 1% provides a framework for businesses to do good. Do you think it’s important for today’s corporate leaders to prioritize social impact? If so, why?
In today’s world, consumers are becoming more conscious. They’re not just looking for great products or services; they’re also interested in supporting companies that are making a positive impact on society. Corporate leaders who prioritize social impact are not only meeting this growing consumer demand but also differentiating their brand in a crowded marketplace. By aligning the business goals with initiatives that benefit society, leaders can generate goodwill, build trust with customers, and foster long-term loyalty.
Do you give back to the community with your team and work? If so, what does this look like?
Over a year ago, we introduced Streamstone, a new company focused on supporting NGOs and member organizations in their digitalization endeavors. By improving these organizations’ communication with their members, we ensure they become more efficient and effective in accomplishing their objectives. Additionally, we allocate 1% of Leadfront’s resources to delivering pro bono projects for NGOs.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Be the change you wish to see in the world.
This year’s International Women’s Day themes are focused on investing in women and inspiring inclusion. What can we do to make today’s workplaces more equitable and inclusive for women?
Leaders should start by implementing policies and practices that promote gender equality at all levels of the organization. This includes actively recruiting and promoting women into leadership positions, ensuring pay equity, providing mentorship and development opportunities and fostering a culture of respect and support.
There are other things such as offering flexible work arrangements, parental leave policies, and childcare support which can help address the unique challenges faced by women in balancing work and family responsibilities.
At Leadfront, we actively strive to create an equal and inclusive work environment, and this is reflected in our recruitment strategies to attract more women to our team. Recruiting women in a technical and traditionally male-dominated industry has its challenges, but we have actively worked to overcome these obstacles. By offering a work environment where equality and inclusion are a high priority, we have created a place where women feel welcome.
Our experience has shown that prejudices that women would not be interested in or fit into technical roles are incorrect and outdated. We are proud to have shattered these preconceived notions and instead to have built a diversified workforce where everyone feels represented and where every individual, regardless of gender, is given equal opportunities to flourish and contribute to our common goals.
What advice do you have for women who are just starting their career?
- Select a company whose values align with yours.
- Value a company with culture of respect and support that provides same opportunities regardless of gender.
- Embrace every opportunity for personal and professional development.
- Be confident in voicing your opinions and advocating for yourself.
- Have faith in your abilities to achieve success, recognizing the importance of persistence and determination.
“Stay resilient and focused on your long-term goals”
What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about?
I am excited about assisting NGOs in optimizing their operations through digitalization, which will not only streamline processes and improve communication with members but also enable them to fulfill their mission more efficiently.
Additionally, I eagerly anticipate witnessing how leaders harness cutting-edge technologies like AI to create people-centric organizations that meet the evolving needs of their communities.
Original article here
Author: Alexander Puutio
Earth Day is upon us.
Since its inception in the 1970s, April 22nd has provided an apt opportunity for companies and their leaders to reflect on their impact on our shared planet and to take action to safeguard its future.
If you are still looking for a way of getting involved, you’re bound to find an initiative that fits your sustainability strategy.
For example, the EARTHDAY.ORG is rallying its forces around the theme of Planet vs. Plastics, seeking a 60% reduction in plastic production by 2024. The World Wildlife Fund offers guidance for companies looking to get started by giving them tangible starting points from 60 Actions for the Planet to dedicating an hour to serving earth. Elsewhere, a number of organizations are focusing on sustainable mobility with Earth Day Canada calling for a leg day and NYC is holding its biggest Open Streets ever.
If these initiatives aren’t enough, you can find hundreds of local events, ranging from cleanup projects to Earth Day Festivals registered on EARTHDAY.ORG’s event tracker. Clearly the global sustainability movement is finding its groove.
The same can also be said about corporate giving and sustainability efforts that go well beyond Earth Day. In fact, initiatives like the Pledge 1% are guiding millions of dollars into catalyzing climate action directly from corporate coffers.
For those who are seeking a way to commit to our planet for more than the going 24 hours, read below for an intro to how Salesforce and Atlassian have driven positive change by pledging 1% of their equity, time, product or profit.
How The Pledge 1% Works
Pledge 1% was established in 2014 by Salesforce, Atlassian and Rally. The initiative was built around Salesforce’s 1-1-1 model which began already in 1999, driven largely by a growing demand for peer guidance on how to navigate corporate philanthropy.
What began as a small initiative has grown into a movement with more than 18,000 members across the globe. Pledging is easy, and it comes with an active support framework with its own pledger community and a wealth of resources that will help you get started.
What sets the Pledge 1% apart is its inherent flexibility. Companies of any size and industry can join, and they can steer their philanthropic efforts towards goals that matter most to them. Today, a growing number of these goals are tied to environmental sustainability.
One company that is intentionally steering more funding into catalytic grants on behalf of the planet is Salesforce.
How Salesforce Deploys Their 1% On Behalf of The Planet
As a founding member of the Pledge 1%, Salesforce is walking the talk.
To date, Salesforce employees have dedicated 8.7 million volunteer hours, and the organization has doled out more than $700 million in grants, which includes a $100 million commitment by decade’s end dedicated to climate action.
In our recent chat with Naomi Morenzoni, SVP Climate and Innovation Philanthropy, she noted that these figures wouldn’t be possible if the pledge was anything else than a sincere commitment to positive impact.
“Our leadership understands that business is the greatest platform for change and that we have a unique opportunity to do good by doing good business,” Naomi explained as we discussed how Marc Benioff and the senior leadership team has built the 1% model deep into the firm’s DNA.
Even though the share of corporate giving trails behind individual charity, corporate philanthropic capital can be transformative when deployed tactically. “When considering where to engage and how, we look closely at where our funds could bring about an outsized impact. We look for opportunities to catalyze, even if it means having to be more patient, which is something philanthropic funding excels at,” Naomi added.
If your company is just getting started with its philanthropic programming, here’s our discussion concluded on three guiding principles that are good to keep in mind; listen deeply and intently to the grant recipient and their communities, go for smart philanthropy that works together instead of in silos, and embrace unrestricted funding even when it comes with less control over the outcomes.
“Corporate philanthropy has to be more risk tolerant if we are going to reach our global climate goals. Corporate philanthropists should be more like angel investors and comfortable that not every investment will be a breakout success.,” Naomi reflected on the narrative and hit rate that companies embarking on corporate giving missions should adopt.
What Matters From The Recipient’s Perspective
One grant recipient that is showing early signs of being a break-out success is RE-volv, a energy justice nonprofit that provides solar financing to community-based nonprofits across the country. RE-volv received an $850,000 grant from Salesforce to support underserved communities in accelerating access to solar energy.
In our chat with RE-volv’s Executive Director, Andreas Karelas, we discussed the recipient’s viewpoint at length.
“Our model is made possible by external funding, and we see first hand the impact corporate philanthropy has as it enables us to help our client nonprofits go solar and raise awareness about clean energy in their communities,” Andreas explained.
RE-volv has received funding from Wells Fargo, Salesforce, the Kresge Foundation and The Schmidt Family Foundation, among others, who have given unrestricted grants or operational capacity building grants that allow RE-volv to direct the funds to where they are needed the most.
“We’re thankful for the trust and support our funders have shown us, and quite frankly the impact we seek to deliver wouldn’t be possible at the scale and pace we want to see if we hadn’t been given funding for general support,” Andreas explained.
While every grant recipient is different, there are key considerations that you should keep in mind as you build and expand your corporate philanthropy programs.
First and foremost, make sure to take the time to understand the needs and objectives of the organizations. Lean on a partnership approach, rather than a purely transactional relationship, in order to foster deeper alignment and to build trust which is perhaps the most important ingredient in the mix.
Secondly, recall the importance of flexibility. Grant recipients like RE-volv are able to respond dynamically to the landscape they see unfolding in front of them thanks to the lack of restrictions, making it possible for them to maximize the effectiveness of every dollar donated.
Lastly, remember that patience and a long-term view are essential. In the end, true change, especially in areas as complex and vast as climate action, takes time and persistence.