Karen Davis, vice president of community relations for Hasbro Inc., has been elected chair of the board of directors of the Association of Corporate Contributions Professionals (ACCP), whose members comprise 150 of the world’s largest companies, including Target, Starbucks and Procter & Gamble.
PBN: You have been with ACCP since its founding year, 2005 what will your role be as board chair, and what are some of your goals during your tenure?
DAVIS: I had a great deal of admiration for the ACCP staff and am pleased to serve as chair of the board of directors. As chair, I will be working with the board and staff to help set our strategic direction and guide us through the strategic planning and implementation process. I will be working with them to continue to expand the resources we offer contribution professionals as well as to help manage the rapid growth of the organization.
PBN: Since you joined Hasbro, how have you seen corporate giving change?
DAVIS: During the past decade, corporate giving has shifted dramatically from “checkbook” to “strategic” philanthropy, where companies endeavor to link business and social benefits in an appropriate manner. Alignment with charitable causes that are meaningful for a business’ target audience provides a competitive advantage in two ways – customer loyalty and employee retention.
There’s an acceptable level of “enlightened self-interest” that was unheard of during the philanthropist-era of David Rockefeller – where charitable giving was viewed as more an obligation than part of a strategy.
In recent years, product donations have become the new currency of giving and volunteer programs have shifted from the HR function to the community-relations area. Both activities are seen as critical to impressing consumers, whereas financial contributions are considered the minimum companies are expected to perform. The growth in employee-volunteer programs has been significant and only expected to grow.
PBN: What do you attribute to the rise in corporate social responsibility?
DAVIS: Consumers are making buying decisions based on social responsibility, potential employees are making career decisions based on the employer’s social responsibility and shareholders are making investment decisions based on the same issue. •
