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Counting the ways to make charity pay Why do businesses give? Some do so out of religious conviction but many have selfserving motivations. One is to build their brand, says Lisa Hartford, a communications executive with Torontobased Imagine Canada. “An offshoot of that is to build strong communities that support their business interest but also to build social capital in their community and support the people in their organizations. It’s building goodwill.” It also helps firms recruit and retain employees. “More and more employees want to
work for companies that have a social conscience and manifest that visibly,” Hartford says. Another benefit is an opportunity to network, says an official with the Canadian Youth Business Foundation. “It’s all about meeting other people and you never know where that will take you. That is not the driving force for philanthropy, but people who tend to be entrepreneurial in nature will look at any activity as an opportunity to do more business and connect the dots.” Community involvement sends a message that the com-
pany has a heart, which pays off in customer loyalty, adds Monica Patten, president and chief executive of Community Foundations of Canada in Ottawa. “Small business already understands they are part of the social and economic fabric of their community.... It’s good for their business. And giving back is one more way they can connect.”
MEDA internships MEDA is recruiting two seven-month U.S. internships for recent college graduates. Microbusiness Development Associate — Gulfport/Biloxi, Mississippi The Gulf Coast Community Service Center (GCCSC) provides assistance to people recovering from Hurricane Katrina. MEDA’s role is to develop a microbusiness program using the ASSETS+ model of training, technical assistance, lending and mentoring. The intern will help develop and deliver these services to those wanting to start or grow a business. Qualifications: Degree in Business Administration, Community Economic Development, Entrepreneurship or related field; cultural flexibility; appreciation and support of MEDA’s faith, values and goals.
Human Resource Administrator — Haiti Fonkoze, with 378 employees in 15 branches, provides small business loans and savings products to meet the needs of Haiti’s poor. MEDA transferred its rural finance program to Fonkoze in 2004 and remains involved. The intern, based in Port-au-Prince, will help with job descriptions, performance management and HR policies and training, working closely with Fonkoze’s HR director and MEDA’s HR staff in Waterloo, Ont. Qualifications: Knowledge of French; college degree (studies in Human Resources preferred); HR experience an asset; appreciation and support of MEDA’s faith, values and goals. Check out the full postings at http://www.meda.org/WhoWeAre/Internships.html. Send resumes to jobs@meda.org
The Marketplace March April 2008
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One survey of small business owners in the four western Canadian provinces found that an overwhelming majority (96 percent) reported some sort of community or charitable involvement. Eighty percent gave cash, 62 percent made in‑kind donations of products or services, and 50 percent donated time. (Financial Post)
