How Business Leaders Can Inspire Multi-Level Philanthropic Involvement

Within every company lies a culture shaped by its systems, structure, and people. However, to transform your culture beyond a company slogan requires internal initiatives that radiate influence across the organization to truly foster an impactful culture.

Here’s how companies can create a culture that inspires a multi-level philanthropic approach for a bigger impact.

Activate the Culture Internally through Action & Vision 

A culture is shaped by values that must be on display for people beyond being written in a document or painted on the walls. For a company looking to foster a culture of giving, the best place to start is to showcase its behaviors and describe them. What does ‘giving’ look like within the company?

For example, creating a company charity reflects commitment and invites all to reflect the “generosity” value through participation in either their time, and resources, spreading the word, or funding.

Being able to describe and see the values in action will help point the company to the big-picture mission. The larger mission should be the ‘why’ behind the company values that support the vision. Find the universal mission that everyone within the company can proudly stand for and collectively work toward.

Build an Infrastructure of Support

To establish ongoing involvement for company-wide philanthropy, it is crucial to define roles, and departments to create a consistent schedule of events and opportunities to give.

Philanthropy will require a dedicated environment within the organization and having designated leaders and positions will help shape the type of giving and causes the company supports. The selected board members or captains hold the company accountable and seek out new ways to increase participation by providing different avenues.

The leadership team can also structure the long-term and short-term giving initiatives to address immediate needs and sustainable solutions. This team may also spearhead strategic giving based on specific company goals and records to break.

Intentionally Choose the Cause(s)

To encourage multi-level philanthropic involvement business leaders can map out the diverse causes the company will prioritize. Based on the size of the organization, there may be an opportunity to offer a mix of local, national, and global initiatives.

Whether companies choose to select a singular cause, various charities or support a mix, multi-level involvement is still the approach that will garner the most engagement.

There may be a particular cause that resonates closely across the team with personal ties and connections. Is there an issue that directly impacts the industry the company serves?

For instance, The Accounting Industry Leadership Council, started by Prager Metis in 2020 and composed of 25 firms, collectively commits to ending Alzheimer’s. This decision stems from personal connections within the group and an understanding of the financial strain caused by the disease, especially considering the nature of their profession in accounting and tax services.

Financial matters are often the first indicators of Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Tax and accounting professionals are increasingly guiding clients affected by Alzheimer’s, linking them to more resources via The Alzheimer’s Association. As industry experts, there’s a responsibility to leverage this insight for a positive and comprehensive impact.

Celebrate the Various Ways to Give 

Encouraging engagement thrives on diverse participation levels. Offering multiple engagement options empowers individuals to choose their level of involvement—time, money, skills, or networking—to support causes comfortably and within their schedules, nurturing grassroots initiatives. From the people who lead the hands-on projects, and support through obtaining partnerships, to the non-financial contributions by dedicating hours, expertise, and resources – it all should be recognized.

For multi-level involvement, establish a regular schedule of year-long activities like golf outings, virtual wine tastings, bake sales, charity walks, themed lunches, and challenges. By blending personal interests into giving, these diverse events foster participation, ranging from exclusive to inclusive, enabling invitations to friends, family, clients, and external networks.

Show Off the Tangible Change to Inspire Involvement

The best way to increase involvement from all sides is to show off the impact it’s creating. This can look like inviting the organization representatives into the office to share more about the cause and what the funding goes towards in terms of resources.

There are also tangible events like annual fundraiser walks, where people can see for themselves just how widespread an issue is.

When the team gets a visual for what the giving is going toward and what it is supporting, it drives and inspires more to get involved from internal and external networks.

Utilize Networks to Amplify Impact

Don’t restrict fundraising and possibilities within the confines of your company. Collaborate with other organizations and peers outside your company. Sharing ideas and partnering with others who are equally passionate about seeing change can rapidly increase the rate at which solutions are delivered.

As The Accounting Industry Leadership Council proved, what is possible when firms unite under one cause to end Alzheimer’s. Through continuous dedication and collaborative efforts, The Accounting Industry Leadership Council has raised over $3 million in three years, supporting Alzheimer’s research, education, and resources for affected individuals.

Offering a collaborative external network allows team members to take the cause industry-wide and globally. The Accounting Industry Leadership Council’s impact led to the inception of the Legal Industry Leadership Council, with plans for additional sector councils to debut in 2024.

Welcome New Idea through the Multi-Level Involvement Mantra 

This approach fosters employee engagement ideas, comradery, and innovative methods to strengthen efforts for the collective cause. Through growing connections and added team members, give people the freedom to start new initiatives and events that support the larger ‘why,’. It’s no secret that more can be done collectively, but it’s how it’s presented, demonstrated, and prioritized as business leaders that can make all the difference.

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