“With the power to transform people’s lives, business is perhaps the most powerful institution in society. Market economies and business are, and will continue to be, forces for good in the world.
Rising prosperity leads to improvements in health and education, an increase in the empowerment of women and – when politics don’t intrude – the eradication of poverty. In a moral society, the logistical next step is to accept the social responsibility that comes with progress. This elevates the way we must think about the role of business.”
—Thomas F. Cooley, dean of the New York University Stern School of Business in Portfolio magazine
You have in front of you what has become one of our favorite editions, the annual Profiles of Giving issue. We started this concentrated focus on the nonprofit community and corporate giving four years ago in part because of the response we get when covering philanthropy and because it is directly in line with our values at the VBJ, where philanthropic involvement is cherished, encouraged and supported.
The corporate philanthropy edition was the first issue I worked on when I came to the newspaper two years ago, and what a wonderful and apt way to be introduced to this community. I have continually been struck by how active the nonprofit community is here, more so than anywhere else I’ve lived.
And rightly so, apparently – Jeanne Kojis, executive director at the Nonprofit Network of Southwest Washington, reports that there has been a 40 percent increase in the number of nonprofit organizations regionally in the last 10 years.
This was my third time putting this issue together, and once again I was inspired by the effort the business community has made to give back.
Among the most moving is Charity Thompson’s front-page story about Lead International, a nonprofit founded by a Camas businessman that has brought economic development to the impoverished country of Guinea Bissau, West Africa. I also was touched by the effort by the building community to construct a home for the wife and children of Cpl. Jeremiah Johnson, who was killed in Baghdad the day after Christmas in 2006.
I hope you, too, find the stories inspirational and moving. I also hope you take them to heart.
With the economy on shaky ground, philanthropic giving is more important than ever. Food bank shelves are empty and nonprofit budgets are being stretched even further. We’re all watching our margins closely now, but it is business’ responsibility to give back.
And per tradition, the VBJ is doing just that. Again, we are pledging 10 percent of the proceeds from this issue to an area nonprofit that supports business development.
For tips on how to give when money is tight, check out Nancy Hales’ column – it’s chock full of practical ideas.
I will leave you from a quote from Lead International founder Mike Blondino:
“Business people are the greatest untapped resource for philanthropy,” he said. “Not just because they have money, but because they have business know-how.”
