Corporate social responsibility, social entrepreneurship, venture philanthropy – whatever the buzzword, it’s clear that companies across the globe have come to embrace the idea that a business should give back to the communities that buy its products and make it successful.

In pure business terms, giving back can add to the bottom line by making a product more appealing to its target audience or providing a PR boost to offset a crisis (such as BP's efforts after the Deepwater Horizon disaster). 

On an individual level, there’s a personal stewardship motivation: how can I use all that God has given me to further His kingdom? We’re increasingly seeing business owners answer this question in part by instituting giving programs within their companies.

Here are just a few of the many ways it can work ... and how NCF can help:

Employee Benevolence Fund

• Example: A company might choose to support a family burdened by medical costs of caring for a sick child. Working with NCF, the fund pays the family’s hospital bill using employees’ tax-deductible contributions.
• The fund is funded by charitable contributions from employees.
• The fund is used to support employees in need.
• The company's Human Resources department coordinates payroll deductions for electing employees.
• NCF receives contributions and issues tax receipts to employees.
• Employee contributions can be matched by the company.
• The Fund is managed by senior leadership and select employees. 
  
  

Company "Foundation Fund"

• The company sets aside a portion of its profits in a "Foundation Fund" to support area charities.
• NCF manages and invests the money, providing management reports and online administrative access.
• Company leadership decides giving priorities (e.g., a healthcare IT company might choose to support local wellness initiatives and free health clinics).
• Leadership and select employees work together to decide which charities to support and in what amounts.

Both of these examples use NCF Giving Funds, which cost nothing to start and can be opened with a short online or print application. Contact us today to learn more, or get started now.

Aimee Minnich is the president of our National Christian Foundation Heartland office (Kansas City). 

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