As awareness of social responsibility rises, consumer power grows, and businesses become increasingly focused on brand reputation, corporate philanthropy becomes increasingly important. Notably, it can come with many benefits beyond making a difference, gratification, and fulfillment. Businesses that donate money or services to charitable organizations that align with their values can enhance their reputation with consumers, employees, investors, and other stakeholders. When a company is seen as being generous and giving back to the community, it can boost its image and become more attractive to do business with.
Employees are more likely to be loyal and engaged when working for a corporation committed to philanthropy. When people feel like their company is making a difference in the world, they are more likely to be proud to work there and to go the extra mile. Corporate philanthropy can also help to attract and retain top talent. In today’s competitive job market, many talented job seekers look for a workplace committed to social responsibility. Lastly, in some cases, companies can deduct the cost of their charitable donations from their taxes, which can provide a significant financial benefit, especially for large companies.
Many leading enterprises in the Washington, D.C. metro area like Unanet, have committed to supporting The Women’s Center, a non-profit that works with disadvantaged community members who need effective and affordable mental health and domestic violence support and services.
Even though the demand for mental health services is steadily increasing, local communities nationwide face a severe shortage of accessible counseling services. The Women’s Center aims to address this mental health crisis. For nearly 50 years, The Women’s Center has addressed the diverse needs of women, men, couples, and families through counseling, support, advocacy, and education, ensuring that financial need is never a barrier to accessing care. As a non-profit organization, The Women’s Center relies on philanthropic support to provide subsidized and free care to people in need. Its annual Fall Gala, held in Tysons Corner, Virginia, is the primary fundraising event that allows The Women’s Center to showcase the life-changing impact of sponsor donations.
When individuals have access to affordable, community-based mental health services, they become empowered to overcome financial, social, and psychological barriers to live healthier and more productive lifestyles. In an interview with Modern Marketing Today, Craig Halliday, CEO of Unanet, explained why he believes it’s vital that companies align with non-profit organizations like The Women’s Center that support local communities.
“Unanet strives to be a valued member of our many communities, taking a proactive role in helping to advance them socially, economically, and educationally,” Halliday said. “A major part of this philosophy is devoted to supporting the communities in which our employees live and work. We’re a proud sponsor of The Women’s Center in their mission to support and improve the mental health and well-being of all community members through counseling, education, support, and advocacy. We look forward to participating in this year’s gala.”
Because of donors like Unanet, The Women’s Center was able to provide 1,640 individuals with 20,597 hours of mental health services in 2022. However, the demand for mental health services has continued to rise. In response, The Women’s Center expanded its reach by moving to a larger location and recruiting more therapists. Since making this change, The Women’s Center has provided mental health services to 1,128 individuals as of June 2023.
“It is our mission to empower local communities with mental health services and educational resources so each individual can thrive,” said Rachna Krishnan, CEO and Executive Director of The Women’s Center. “The generosity of our corporate and individual donors enables our fight against the mental health crisis as the demand for our services continues to rise.”
Corporate philanthropy is a valuable tool that companies can use to improve their public image, attract and retain top talent, give back to the community, drive change, and help solve social problems.
Learn more about The Women’s Center’s work and how you can get involved to support your community.
