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Corporate Responsibility | Beyond Philanthropy | Entrepreneurship & Social Entrepreneurship | Grants & Funding Sources | Sustainability | Spirit in Business | Nonprofit Administration | State & Local Economic Intelligence | Library | Other
For over thirty years the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) has been a leader of the corporate social responsibility movement. ICCR's membership is an association of 275 faith- based institutional investors, including national denominations, religious communities, pension funds, endowments, hospital corporations, economic development funds and publishing companies. ICCR and its members press companies to be socially and environmentally responsible. Each year ICCR- member religious institutional investors sponsor over 100 shareholder resolutions on major social and environmental issues. The combined portfolio value of ICCR's member organizations is estimated to be $110 billion.
Beyond Philanthropy: Win-Win Partnerships
Win-win business strategies simultaneously boost the bottom line and benefit low-income communities. Executives are always looking for smarter ways to stay competitive, lower overhead, and increase revenue. Innovative companies from every industry are finding opportunity in low-income communities and their residents and are making investments in these communities that enable expansion into untapped markets, develop new cost-efficient suppliers, better manage their physical and financial assets, effectively recruit and retain a qualified workforce, leverage innovation and R&D, and build brand image and reputation.
Entrepreneurship & Social Entrepreneurship
Welcome to the National Dialogue on Entrepreneurship and e-News, an electronic newsletter sponsored by the Kauffman Foundation of Kansas City for followers of the entrepreneurial economy. Through e-News, we bring you short summaries and analyses of various trends driving the innovation economy. Please feel free to share this with friends and colleagues. To subscribe, visit www.publicforuminstitute.org/nde/join/
Some excerpts from past issues:
"Top Social Entrepreneurs"
We often report on rankings of top entrepreneurial businesses, such as the INC 500. Fast Company magazine (www.fastcompany.com) has now begun listing the most important social entrepreneurs-organizations and leaders who often have an even bigger impact on our societies than fast-growing businesses. The inaugural Social Capitalist Awards rank organizations according to five categories: innovation, entrepreneurship, social impact, aspiration, and sustainability. In addition to doing good, these organizations are booming. Employment is rising at an average annual rate of 172%, and revenues are expected to grow by 29.2% in 2003. Moreover, more than 42 different US-based foundations are now primarily focused on funding social entrepreneurs. The article profiles groups working in a variety of issue-areas. Among the groups focused on entrepreneurship and related topics are: ACCION USA (www.accionusa.org), the Center for Community Self-Help (www.selfhelp.org), Microbusiness Development Corporation (www.microbusiness.org), and Working Today (www.workingtoday.org).
The article, "Social Capitalists: The Top Twenty Groups That are Changing the World," appears in the January 2004 edition of Fast Company. The article is available at http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/78/social_intro.html
David Bornstein, How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas. Cambridge: Oxford University Press, 2004.
How to Change the World profiles nine incredible social entrepreneurs working in various countries around the globe. Among those profiled are Bill Drayton, founder of the US-based Ashoka, and Veronica Khosa, an AIDS worker in South Africa. The stories are very compelling and inspiring. If you want to see how social entrepreneurship can change the world and how one person can make a difference, this book will inspire you.
The COUNCIL OF NEW JERSEY GRANTMAKERS exists to strengthen and promote effective philanthropy throughout the State of New Jersey.
THE ROLE OF CNJG IS TO:
- Network: Provide opportunities for sharing ideas, experiences and expertise of grantmakers in New Jersey.
- Advocate: Represent grantmakers' concerns and interests with local, state and national policymakers.
- Educate: Provide grantmakers with resources, information and tools to inform and strengthen their philanthropic endeavors.
- Promote: Inform the communities and citizens of New Jersey about the role and importance of philanthropy.
- Convene: Nurture the environment for collaborative giving and facilitate philanthropic responses to needs in the state.
The Foundation Center's mission is to strengthen the nonprofit sector by advancing knowledge about U.S. philanthropy.
To achieve our mission, we:
- Collect, organize, and communicate information on U.S. philanthropy.
- Conduct and facilitate research on trends in the field.
- Provide education and training on the grantseeking process.
- Ensure public access to information and services through our Web site, print and electronic publications, five library/learning centers, and a national network of Cooperating Collections.
Founded in 1956, the Center is the nation's leading authority on philanthropy and is dedicated to serving grantseekers, grantmakers, researchers, policymakers, the media, and the general public.
eGrants is a non-profit organization that provides simple, affordable, and integrated services for small to medium-sized nonprofit organizations to help them become effective users of internet technology in their fundraising and management of donors and supporters.
Today, it is often difficult for corporations, activists and socially responsible investors to have honest, meaningful dialogue on corporations' environmental and social practices. CERES provides an innovative forum for this kind of exchange and a unique opportunity for real accountability and real results.
CERES is...
- The leading U.S. coalition of environmental, investor, and advocacy groups working together for a sustainable future
- Companies that have committed to continuous environmental improvement by endorsing the CERES Principles, a ten-point code of environmental conduct
- A common ground where groups with widely different backgrounds, assumptions, and visions find concrete solutions to today's environmental challenges
The World Council On Sustainable Development (WCSD) is a global association dedicated to the advancement of sustainable development as a universally recognized academic discipline, field of professional practice, and strategy of resource development. The WCSD is chartered as a non-profit scientific, educational and public service organization. Under the terms of a merger negotiated in 1992, the American Institute of Urban and Regional Affairs staffs the WCSD, performing under the policy direction of an independent Board of Advisors.
The WCSD is supported by the American Institute Of Urban And Regional Affairs, Cooperative Graduate School Of Sustainable Development, based in Montgomery Village, Maryland.
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is a coalition of 170 international companies united by a shared commitment to sustainable development via the three pillars of economic growth, ecological balance and social progress.
Our members are drawn from more than 35 countries and 20 major industrial sectors. We also benefit from a global network of 45 national and regional business councils and partner organizations located in 40 countries, involving some 1,000 business leaders globally.
The WBCSD's activities reflect our belief that the pursuit of sustainable development is good for business and business is good for sustainable development.
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development is based in Geneva, Switzerland
For the business community, sustainability is more than mere window-dressing. By adopting sustainable practices, companies can gain competitive edge, increase their market share, and boost shareholder value.
What's more, the growing demand for 'green' products has created major new markets in which sharp-eyed eco-entrepreneurs are reaping rewards.
This site explains the strategies and tools that companies can draw on to translate an aspiration of sustainability into practical, effective solutions. Case studies from around the world are provided as an example of each measure.
For development to be sustainable it must integrate environmental stewardship, economic development and the well-being of all people&emdash;not just for today but for countless generations to come. This is the challenge facing governments, non-governmental organizations, private enterprises, communities and individuals.
The International Institute for Sustainable Development meets this challenge by advancing policy recommendations on international trade and investment, economic policy, climate change, measurement and indicators, and natural resource management to make development sustainable. By using Internet communications, we cover and report on international negotiations and broker knowledge gained through collaborative projects with global partners, resulting in more rigorous research, capacity building in developing countries and a better dialogue between North and South.
Spirit in Business: The Passionate Enterprise
Business as Agent of World Benefit
An international online conference inquiring into the positive potential at the intersection of business and society. January 28-30, 2004.
The World Inquiry on Business as an Agent of World Benefit (BAWB) is a worldwide web of cascading Appreciative Inquiry conversations delicated to discovering appreciating, and uniting the new and the best in business with the task of creating prosperous inspired and sustainable societies that work for all. Please, choose from the options bellow to learn more about World Inquiry on Business as an Agent of World Benefit, it's origins, methodologies, and updates.
The Center for Partnership Studies, founded by Riane Eisler, Pacific Grove, California.
"The fact that I have myself experienced such profound transformation, and the fact that I know how many others are today committed to transforming themselves and our world, gives me a far surer sense that while it is by no means inevitable, we can succeed in forging new paths into a better future for ourselves and our children." -- Riane Eisler
By partnering with others of like mind and similar goals we help everyone move forward to a more just and caring society.
Tides Center provides a comprehensive set of core management services to new and existing nonprofit organizations promoting social change. Here is a look at what we provide:
- Fiscal sponsorship
- Financial services
- Employee benefits
- Administrative support
- Human resources policies, training and intervention
The Technology Place for Nonprofits
State & Local Economic Intelligence
Somerset County Economic Development -- links to information and resources.
Employers Association of New Jersey. A nonprofit association serving employers since 1916.
- Book reviews, periodicals, and articles relating to modern issues of business excellence
- Scroll down for links to other sources and organizations.
Institute for Business Ethics University of St.Gallen Guisanstr. 11 CH-9010 St.Gallen Telephon: +41/71/224 2644 Telefax: +41/71/224 2881Ulrich, Peter / Sarasin, Charles (Hrsg.): Facing Public Interest. The Ethical Challenge to Business Policy and Corporate Communications, Dordrecht/ Boston/ London 1995.
In a strong sense of the term, there is no such thing as private business because business activities have widespread and sometimes far-reaching impact upon the community. Side-effects of entrepreneurial decisions such as increasing unemployment or environmental pollution give rise to a growing public exposure of corporations in our difficult decade. Managements finds itself in the limelight of public criticism and of conflicting claims and values. Which of them deserve to be preferred, which to be postponed? Who is authorized to define the public interest? And what are the consequences for an ethically and economically sound understanding of corporate public affairs and external relations? The purpose of this book is to open new vistas on business policy and corporate communications facing public interest. The relationship between private enterprise and public interest is examined from an ethical point of view. The role of the general public as a locus of morality for business and the guiding idea of a corporate dialogue between management and the concerned public is highlighted. Instructive experiences of companies and public relations professionals with innovative business responses are presented.
In this volume, corporate dialogue is not only proposed but put into practice: business leaders, representatives of concerned citizens' groups, public affairs consultants and academics from the fields of political philosophy, social and business ethics have come together to discuss the topic. Facing Public Interest: The Ethical Challenge to Business Policy and Corporate Communications presents the best contributions to the seventh conference of the European Business Network (EBEN) at the University of St. Gallen in September 1994.
Content
1. Introduction
- * Ulrich, P.: Business in the Nineties - Facing Public Interest
2. Facing Public Interest - Horizons of the Ethical Challenge on Business
- * Küng, H.: Clash of Civilizations or World Peace through Religious Peace
- * Ruh, H.: The Responsibility Enterprises Have Regarding the Big Problems of Our Time
- * Bode, T.: Public Expectations Toward Private Industrie - Greenpeace's Expectations of Companies with Regard to their Ethical and Political Responsibilities
3. Business in Response to Concerned Public - Ethical Foundations
- * Cortina, A.: The General Public as the Locus of Ethics in Modern Society
- * Jeurissen, R.J.M.: Business in Response to the Morally Concerned Public
- * Pratley, P.: Entrepreneurial Performance and Public Accountibility
4. Business in Response to a Concerned Public - Corporate Policies and Guidelines
- * Leuenberger, A.F.: The Concerned Public - A Management Challenge
- * Frehner, Walter G.: Business Policy and Corporate Dialogue in the Banking Field
- * Steiner, A.: Customer Focus in ABB Switzerland's Communication Policy - An Ethical Challenge
- * Wade, G.: Business Policy and Corporate Dialogue - Future Challanges
5. Corporate Dialogue and Public Relations - Critical Issues
- * Doetzkies, M.: What Happens if Small Challenges Big?
- * Pielken, W.G.: Corporate Responsibility and Reputation Management in Crisis
- * Tiemann, R. / Zajitschek, S.: Dialogue between Corporations - Ethically Conscious Public Relations Management as Promoter of Industry-wide Agreement on Ethical Policies
- * Brinkmann, J. / Tvedt, H.G.: A Survey of Moral Conflicts among Norwegian Public Relations Professionals
6. Ecological Challenges and Business Response - Examples and Experiences
- * Harvey, B. / Stewart, N.D.: Corporate Responsibility and Hazardous Technology - An Example of the Interaction Process Between Industry and Society
- * Halme, M.: Environmentally Responsible Business Strategy - Packaging Company's Response to a Critical Challenge
- * Saemann, R.: Experiences with Corporate Dialogue - The Case of the Ciba-Geigy Incinerator for Special Waste
- * Wirz, J.: The Marketing Dilemma - Marketers Between Consumer Wants and Ecological Requirements
7. Social Challenges and Business Response - Examples and Experiences
- * Mathison, D.L.: Are Economic Realities Forcing EC Europe to Abandon Social Democracy in the Workplace? Perspectives from the Boardroom in Six Member States
- * O'Rourke, J.S.: Family Issues of Employees - The Case of Excel Industries, Inc. - A Conflict with Public Perceptions in the United States
- * Jepsen, S. / Deller, J.: Responsibility in Management: An Issue for Personell Development in Major Companies?
Last Update: 26.04.2001 © Institute for Business Ethics, University of St. Gallen
Business book reviews by Bill Foster
Corporate accountability -- current issues (Enron & other scandals, etc.)
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AT&T Statement of Corporate Philanthropy.
J&J's Credo
To add to this list, contact us:
Corporate Responsibility | Beyond Philanthropy | Entrepreneurship & Social Entrepreneurship | Grants & Funding Sources | Sustainability | Spirit in Business | Nonprofit Administration | State & Local Economic Intelligence | Library | Other
July 2004
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