Small Charities Partnering with Businesses, Bella Berns, Credit Suisse

 

Bella Berns, Head of Philanthropy for Credit Suisse, gave a background of partnerships with corporations and ideas on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Bella advised that no corporation has the same CSR strategy. Credit Suisse’s ‘Philanthropy Strategy’ has three ideas: innovate, educate and participate. The strategy concentrates on three areas – corporate, employee and client donations. Bella likened her job as grant-maker to that of a charity-worker; she suggested that the jobs were very similar only she as a grant-maker in a corporation has more resources.

A successful partnership between a charity and a corporation is based on finding synergies between business objectives and community development. The partnership is enhanced through timely and transparent communication, and mutual expectations and goals.
When forging/maintaining corporate-charity partnerships an important strategy is to ensure proper research, presentation and professionalism to aid the flow of communication and understanding.

Knowing who to talk to is also a good idea – writing Dear CSR manager in an application letter will result in it being binned, however, writing Dear (name) – the application is more likely to be read.
If a meeting is called, Bella encourages that you as representative of your organisation walk into the meeting as a partner – professional and with a knowledge that your organisation is providing a service for the corporation that they cannot do otherwise i.e. community outreach. Bella mentions that “it is easy to write a cheque, but harder to develop a relationship”, but this is key to attaining a commitment and using the partnership to everyone’s best interests. There are many ways that a corporation can help, particularly with gifts in kind – for example Credit Suisse’s partnership with The FSI and the use of Credit Suisse offices for this Forum.

Bella advises that each of the partners makes sure their expectations are clear and established, these should be monitored and followed through by good communication. This communication includes informing partners of unexpected occurrences, where both partners can learn from hurdles/challenges.

 

Credit Suisse is a leading financial services company including asset management, private and investment banking. Credit Suisse generously supported The FSI’s Sharing the Best Forum by providing the venue, catering, media facilities, and contributed to the guest list.
www.credit-suisse.com

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