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OPINION
As your firm grows, so does your capacity to give back, strengthening both your community and your culture. Growing your firm – and your impact
A primary goal for many companies is growth – growth in the number of clients you have, the number of projects your teams deliver, and the number of people you employ.
Growth can bring substantial benefits as it relates to financial success and employee opportunities, with firms determining how and where they want to grow to align with their business objectives and mission, vision, and values. But another important element to consider as part of your overall growth plan is philanthropy. At Cushing Terrell, we’ve always had a strong commitment to supporting our local communities. Each of our offices has long-held traditions that reflect the culture of the teams in those areas. For example, in Billings, Montana, where I serve as location director, we support Newman Elementary School through Thanksgiving food baskets and participating in reading programs; we bring local high school students into our office for hands-on career days; and we organize an annual golf classic to raise funds for local nonprofit organizations. These are just a few activities among many we commit to each year. These traditions are at the heart of who we are and create
cross-generational relationships that contribute to thriving communities and workplaces. As we’ve grown as a firm, we’ve made two big moves that have helped formalize our commitment to our communities with the goal of creating an even greater impact. First, we established a pro bono design services program in 2022. Our pro bono program – encompassing all our offices – is part of an effort to better define and organize our commitment to social action. In addition to providing pro bono design services, this initiative includes action around diversity, equity, and inclusion; community service; charitable giving; and sustainable design. The objective is to support communities local to Cushing Terrell office locations as well as engage with entities outside the firm’s immediate network. Through these charitable projects, we foster professional growth for
Shannon Christensen, FAIA
See SHANNON CHRISTENSEN, page 8
THE ZWEIG LETTER OCTOBER 27, 2025, ISSUE 1607
ELEVATE THE INDUSTRY®
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