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OPINION
Ardurra staff participating in the firm’s Climb for Water philanthropy program, which pairs mountain expditions with fundraising for water infrastructure projects.
T he dawn breaks over Pikes Peak as 10 amateur climbers begin their ascent. Their mission extends far beyond the 14,115-foot summit – they’re climbing to bring clean water to communities in need. This isn’t a typical corporate giving initiative, but that’s precisely the point. Corporate giving today should be about about creating meaningful opportunities for employees to make a difference while developing professionally. Reimagining corporate philanthropy
Kraig C. Kern, CPSM
The revival of our firm’s “Climb for Water” program, which pairs challenging mountain expeditions with fundraising for water infrastructure projects, illustrates a broader truth about corporate giving in 2024: The most impactful philanthropic initiatives often arise when companies align their professional expertise with much more creative approaches to addressing global challenges. THE EVOLUTION OF CORPORATE GIVING. Traditional corporate philanthropy – annual checks and scheduled volunteer days – remains valuable. However, today’s workforce, particularly younger professionals, seeks deeper engagement. According to Deloitte’s 2023 Gen Z and Millennial Survey , 86 percent of millennials believe business success should be measured by more than just financial performance, with social impact playing a crucial role. The AEC industry is experiencing a significant demographic shift. The National Society of
Professional Engineers reports that approximately 40 percent of engineers are now under 40, bringing fresh perspectives on corporate social responsibility. These emerging professionals aren’t just looking for employers who give – they’re seeking organizations that create meaningful opportunities for personal involvement in social impact. When word spread that Climb for Water had been revived, interest took off and we had to put a cap on how many could participate. THE MULTIPLIER EFFECT OF CREATIVE GIVING. When companies develop innovative giving programs that leverage their unique strengths and talents, they create multiple layers of impact: 1. Direct community benefit. Our recent Pikes Peak climb raised thousands for Water Mission, a non- profit engineering organization headquartered
See KRAIG KERN, page 4
THE ZWEIG LETTER DECEMBER 30, 2024, ISSUE 1566
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