Giving Beyond Borders: A Study of Global Giving by U.S. Corporations

Abstract

Companies increasingly expand their philanthropic initiatives globally, opening many questions for practitioners and researchers. How do companies donate across borders? What factors influence their philanthropic decision-making? What attributes do companies look for in a nonprofit partner? In which areas do companies seek improvement in the future? Commissioned by Global Impact, this study provides insights into these questions by analyzing the data obtained from secondary databases, a web-based survey of a select group of Fortune 500 firms, and interviews with four large U.S. companies. This study provides key insights and implications both for companies expanding their philanthropic footprint internationally and for nonprofits partnering with corporate funders to address social issues around the globe.