The impact businesses have on community
I was recently in a conversation with John Anderson, CEO of Quad City Bank & Trust and a board member of the Quad Cities Community Foundation. We were talking about the impact businesses have when they commit to sustained, local giving. John said something that has stayed with me.
He said, “As a community bank, we have a responsibility to the whole community, not just our customers or certain groups. Philanthropy is how we express that value. Our community is at the top of every decision we make.”
It’s true. Every business is connected to the community in which it operates. And corporate philanthropy—from charitable giving to employee volunteerism and more—is one way that businesses of every size can drive positive change and ensure the Quad Cities region grows and thrives. Providing support for corporate giving has long been a part of the Community Foundation’s mission.
Now, we are doubling down on that support. This month, former board member Jean Moran joined the Community Foundation as the director of corporate philanthropy. The newly shaped position underscores our existing commitment to growing giving by businesses in the Quad Cities area. Jean’s deep knowledge of both the Community Foundation and the region’s business network will allow us to support corporate philanthropy even further.
Our experts guide corporate leaders to help align business goals with community needs. We simplify business giving by streamlining processes and assisting with administrative details that bring the most effective tax benefits.
Quad City Bank & Trust is a great advocate for the Community Foundation. When I asked John about the value of the Community Foundation for corporations, he said, “By organizing giving through the Community Foundation, businesses can give to all the organizations and causes they believe in. The Community Foundation makes giving simple; they can connect you with a variety of community needs and opportunities, allowing you to direct corporate giving to those that best align with your company values and priorities.”
Through corporate donor advised funds, corporate endowment funds, corporate scholarship funds, and other giving vehicles, we help businesses enhance community investment in a way that is beneficial for them and the nonprofits they support.
Increasingly, customers and employees look to see whether the businesses they patronize are philanthropic—that they are aligned in similar values. And the research backs that up—we know that companies involved in philanthropy experience more loyalty, growth, and customer satisfaction. According to John, “Employees and customers are increasingly likely to ask about and participate in philanthropy. Our employees get paid time for volunteering, and we offer a program to match their charitable donations. In surveys, these benefits are shown to be very important to our employees.”
Like all of us, businesses have an important role to play as we shape our region through generosity. Our promise? To help your business succeed as a corporate citizen and your community to thrive.
Are you a corporate leader interested in exploring philanthropy options? Give us a call today!