In a business world predominantly driven by the bottom line, corporate philanthropy has become difficult to justify. Organizations have found the need to be more strategic about their giving by aligning their corporate social responsibilities with their corporate philanthropy.* Motives behind philanthropy are often driven by external marketing and employee morale efforts, simultaneously increasing financial growth and improving society. Investing in the local education system, for instance, is philanthropic, but it ultimately improves the local workforce, thus improving a company's potential competitiveness and its bottom line.

1. Identify a company that has donated generously to their local economy. What are their motives? What social benefits does their donation provide? What benefits does their donation provide to their own organization?
2. Identify a company that is a leader in corporate philanthropy. What are they doing right? How are their donations benefiting society and themselves?
3. How can organizations share best practices and learn from each other? How would that help the community as well as their bottom line?