People admire businesses that have done well because of their dedication to selling the highest quality products and services, core beliefs like staying focused on goals, and providing an excellent customer experience. Having a technological advantage, combined with good game plan for achieving the objectives the business has set its sights on are also good business strategies.
Drive and ambition are excellent intentions, but things that can really make a business stand apart from the rest are dedication towards being philanthropic within a community and goals of making a true difference in people’s lives. Steven Voudouris, businessman and other well-known company founders have made philanthropy a high priority. This dedication is often rewarded in the respect and good standing a company has in its community.
Philanthropy is Not Just for Praise and Recognition
Many companies today have a philanthropic spirit. They take part in philanthropic endeavors because the causes they help to raise money for and support are causes that they genuinely believe in. Sometimes the beneficiary organizations serve causes that employees or their loved ones have been touched by. When a businessman goes out and starts philanthropic efforts simply for the joy of helping others, this quickly becomes a trait that is admired and sometimes mirrored by others.
Help goes to charitable organizations through donations of money, time, donations of products, and sharing expertise in certain areas to help improve the lives and well-being of others. Companies that take part in charitable work are often thought of highly. Other companies are inspired to emulate that positive example. A good standing in the community and a reputation for helping and caring for others can be just as valuable to a company as strong sales.
Types of Charitable Causes That Companies Have Helped
Charitable causes helped by those in the corporate world include foundations and organizations that work on disease prevention and finding cures for catastrophic diseases, educational charities, and philanthropic ventures that help people who find themselves in unfortunate situations. Some businesses choose to go the educational route by starting scholarships that are given to students who have worked consistently to earn high grades and to those who have proven excellence in academics.
Educational scholarships set up by CEO Steven Voudouris and other highly respected CEO’s of companies are one way to ensure that a business can truly have an impact on the future. When scholarships are in the field that the company is involved in, that company’s future can potentially be impacted. The future of a company can be made better by educating tomorrow’s leaders to take over at the helm of the company when executives reach retirement age.
Charities Impacted by Philanthropy
The most generous companies according to the Fortune 500 Giving 20 list have contributed to causes like hunger relief, helping people to buy homes, educational institutions and scholarships, food banks and social programs. Companies also choose to donate to worthwhile causes like Make-A-Wish Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project and Special Olympics.
Health related causes include the American Cancer Society, childhood cancer charities like Alex’s Lemonade Stand, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Corporate philanthropy has many positive benefits including increased employee satisfaction, better company financial performance and good feelings from knowing the company is helping the community.
