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In 2007 Booz Allen Hamilton set out to help small nonprofits in the Washington, D.C. area gain access to expert advice and guidance on management and fundraising that was otherwise unattainable for them due to cost. In the four years since, the Booz Allen Hamilton Nonprofit Development Conference Series has grown exponentially and now successfully serves more than 400 unique nonprofit organizations with top tier guest speakers from around the metropolitan area who provide the sorely needed advice and guidance.
2010 Conference: Implementing a global community involvement program
By Sylvia Kinnicutt, Research Associate, Boston College Center
Community involvement strategies are always a hot topic among Center members, so it was no surprise that the Global Community Involvement conference session was packed. Everyone came to hear not only from veteran global CI experts, Allyson Peerman (AMD), Melissa Janis (Alcoa) and Ron Brown (Center faculty), but from all of the experts in the room. Everyone was eager to get down to business about the tactical challenges of implementing community programs on a global scale.
Among these challenges is the decision of fund allocation across global sites. AMD and others companies in the audience such as State Street utilize an application process to allocate funding based on both need and proven performance in the community. Cross cultural differences are also a common challenge. Both Peerman and Janis emphasized the importance of maintaining flexibility with local offices, while adhering to some global standards and a corporate framework. Local community liaisons should be able to identify their own partners and make culturally specific giving decisions.
We also heard a recommendation from the audience to expand the way we think about volunteerism. Tried and true projects that are common in the U.S. (such as community cleanup projects) many not be appealing in other countries. Instead, it may be better to build upon a compelling social need such as a local natural disaster, or providing learning opportunities for local children.
Structurally, many companies echoed the AMD and Alcoa model of utilizing local volunteer liaisons who administer these programs in addition to their regular corporate roles at international sites. In order to make this work it is important to ensure that these employees receive recognition for their contributions from their local managers, as well as training and support from the corporate office, said Peerman.
Community involvement can be a powerful tool for global businesses, in helping to build brand, presence and relationships in unfamiliar markets. This audience undoubtedly took many useful tips back home to help them better achieve these benefits.
