This report summarizes a 2012 Canadian survey examining the ways companies support community initiatives. One hundred and eighty companies, which collectively employed almost 1 million people and contributed over $710 million to communities in 2011, responded to the survey. Six municipalities also replied.

While many organizations invest in communities, just a few account for most of the investment; 13 per cent of firms made 72 per cent of the contributions reported. The four most common types of contributions are money, sponsorships and marketing activities, in-kind donations, and volunteer time. The most common recipients of community investment dollars are civic and community organizations, and health care organizations.

Enhancing company culture and reputation is a primary motivation behind many community investment programs. Most programs have no more than three full-time employees.

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Executive Summary

Chapter 1—Introduction

• About This Report

Chapter 2—Community Investment by Canadian Organizations

• Part A: Community Investment Programs Contribute More Than Just Dollars
• Part B: Civic, Community, and Health Care Organizations are the Leading Recipients of Community Investments
• Part C: Quebec and Ontario Receive the Majority of Community Investments
• Part D: Community Investment Budgets Are Largely Recession Proof

Chapter 3—Motivations for Community Investment

Chapter 4—Managing the Community Investment Program

• Part A: Solo Efforts and Small Teams Are Most Common in Community Investment
• Part B: Training
• Part C: Presidents and CEOs Are Often Highly Involved
• Part D: Boards of Directors Are Much Less Involved

Chapter 5—In-Kind Contributions

Chapter 6—Employee Contributions

• Part A: Employee Matching Donations
• Part B: Employee Volunteering
• Part C: Volunteer Program Management

Chapter 7—International Community Investment

Chapter 8—Signature Programs

Chapter 9—Corporate Foundations

Chapter 10—Measuring Outputs and Impacts of Community Investment Programs

Chapter 11—Sectoral Analysis

• Part A: Community Investments
• Part B: Employee Matching Donations Programs
• Part C: Volunteer Programs
  

Chapter 12—Conclusion

• Conclusions for Companies
• Conclusions for Community Investment Practitioners
• Next Steps
  

Appendix A—Note on Methodology

Appendix B—Special Report on Municipal Community Investments

Appendix C—Respondents

Appendix D—Respondents (FP800)

Appendix E—Bibliography