Northeast Ohio Businesses Demonstrate Continued Commitment to the Community
Brian Broadbent, President & CEO
We have long known that the business community in Northeast Ohio is strongly committed to giving back, and now we have the data to prove it. Last fall, in conjunction with the Greater Cleveland Partnership, we surveyed businesses about community involvement, and this week the findings were released.
97 percent of respondents indicated that they have maintained or increased employee volunteerism during the recession, and more than four out of five encourage employees to serve on boards in the community. Respondents shared that their employees gain skills in leadership, teamwork, communication, critical thinking and problem solving while serving on a nonprofit board.
Northeast Ohio ranks right up there with regard to community involvement. A Chronicle of Philanthropy survey on corporate giving showed that 54 percent of businesses nationally encouraged employees to volunteer more. The survey of Northeast Ohio businesses had 93 percent encouraging and supporting employees’ volunteerism.
The Northeast Ohio corporate community is on par with companies across the country with regard to financial contributions. Nearly four out of five (77 percent) companies in Greater Cleveland maintained or increased financial support for community involvement during the recession, while 73 percent of businesses in The Chronicle’s survey said they expected their cash and product giving to remain the same as in previous years.
[click here for full survey results]
From our vantage point at the intersection of businesses, nonprofits, and volunteers, we have witnessed tremendous determination and innovation as organizations and individuals struggled to weather the challenging economy. The nonprofits have been buoyed by the corporate community’s generosity and willingness to serve where needed. We appreciate the commitment of our Northeast Ohio businesses as they help nonprofits at all times but especially when it mattered most. Business professionals using their expertise as board members or volunteer consultants, as well as direct service volunteers, are vital to nonprofits and our community. The impact and importance of this community involvement cannot be overstated.
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Tags: board matching, BVU, cleveland community, corporate involvement
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