Doing Well by Doing Good - HfHSCC Corporate Build Program

Corporate philanthropy is a key component of a healthy and viable community. Companies from Fortune 500 corporations to small locally owned businesses are increasing their commitment to volunteering and civic responsibility because "doing well by doing good" is very good for the bottom line. Benefits of socially responsible companies include; increased profitability, elevating employee moral and customer loyalty, increased market knowledge, attracting and retaining employees and encouraging product innovation, among others. Specifically, corporate community investment may lead to:

Enhanced Brand Image and Reputation: Corporate community investment can enhance a company's brand and reputation. Many companies find that community investment does not require sacrificing profits and, in fact, can open new markets, reduce local regulatory obstacles, provide access to the local political process, generate positive media coverage and increase company or brand awareness within the community. According to a 2002 survey of Americans conducted by Cone, Inc., 84 percent of respondents consider a company's commitment to social issues when deciding which businesses they wanted in their community, 77 percent considered social commitment when choosing an employer, and 66 percent factored social responsibility into their investment decisions.

Increased Ability to Attract and Retain Employees: The Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College found that 84 percent of employees feel a company's image in the community is important; 54 percent feel it is very important. The study found that the more informed employees are about a company's programs, the more likely he or she will feel positive about and remain loyal to the company.

Enhanced Employee Skill Development: Many company programs in the community can help foster employee skills. A study conducted by British Telecom that measured the business benefits of employee community investment found that volunteering and other forms of employee investment helped develop a variety of competencies, including:

Companies like BEA Systems, Inc. located in San Jose with employees living in Santa Cruz, provides grants to eligible non-profit organizations that benefit from volunteer activities. HfHSCC is the thankful recipient of over 140 BEA volunteer hours and a $2000 grant. Dave Snider, Business Development Partner for BEA and BEA Volunteer Habitat Team Leader says, "Everyone felt a tremendous sense of contribution irrespective of the tasks they were performing and that trading in their laptop for a shovel or paint roller was a great way to reset their sense of community."

Locally, companies such as First Horizon Home Loans, Starbucks and Coldwell Banker and are also helping and encouraging their employees to become significant partners in community activities. First Horizon Home Loans Manager Mark Junod is proud of the work his co-workers accomplished during their Corporate Build Day, "Working with Habitat for Humanity is an ideal way for us to help more people achieve their dreams of owning a home, which is also part of our own future vision" says Junod. "Our employees had a great day working with Habitat on the Rooney Street houses and left feeling like they really did make a difference." First Horizon Homes Loans also gifted HfHSCC a $7,500 grant.

Denise Gonzales, Manager of the Starbucks Coffee in Watsonville, wants to do more HfHSCC/Starbucks Corporate Build Days. "It was a blast. My employees really enjoyed getting to know their co-workers on a completely different level while helping to build someone's home." And through Starbuck's Make Your Mark volunteer hour corporate giving program we were able to present Habitat a check for $1000," states Gonzales.

Cecilia Crocker, a Coldwell Banker Sales Associate in Santa Cruz and member of the Coldwell Banker Habitat Volunteer Team recognizes the vital role that her company and employees play in community development, "It was a very fulfilling experience helping people who have obstacles to home ownership get their own home."