Category Archives: What’s Next for CR

Shareholders of the World, Unite!? (Part II)

In case you missed it, I wanted to post an update on the dispute between Qualcomm and the New York state government, which was the subject of a blog post back in December. As a recap, the New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, acting on behalf of public employee retirement funds, had filed a [...]
Posted on Tuesday, February 26th, 2013 By James Robinson
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Will Tax Policies Change Donation Habits in 2013?

According to data provided by Independent Sector, high-income donors contribute 36 percent of the money given by individuals to charities (CBO), and 85 percent of high-wealth individuals give to organizations that address basic needs (IUPUI Center on Philanthropy). Without this cohort making significant financial contributions, mission-driven organizations would be hard pressed to provide quality, reliable assistance and programs such as soup kitchens, after-school tutoring and job training programs. Donations, not tax dollars, are fueling these organizations. And, even though we would like to believe that people give out of the goodness of their hearts—the reality is that they don’t. Whether it is an individual, a private enterprise or a collection of like-minded people, there’s always some return expected when making an investment. (And yes, a donation IS an investment.) That ROI takes many forms—recognition, access, alignment with goals and beliefs. And for some people, the tax breaks are part of the calculus in making a donation.
Posted on Monday, January 7th, 2013 By Tara Greco
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8 Must-See Examples of the “Power of We”

Today marks the 6th annual Blog Action Day, an occasion where bloggers from around the world join in a global discussion around an important issue. This year’s theme is the “Power of We” – a celebration of people working together to make a positive difference in the world. At APCO, we see examples of collaboration making a difference all the time across all sectors – government, business and NGO. Collaboration has often become a necessity for organizations looking to solve a social problem, particularly where businesses are concerned. This makes the “power of we” more important than ever.
Posted on Monday, October 15th, 2012 By SharedPurpose
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American Business’ Arithmetic of STEM Education

Last week, the National Math and Science Initiative* released the results of its Advanced Placement (AP) program. The program opens up rigorous AP classrooms to more U.S. students with the goal of preparing more students for college courses and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The program’s results show that in just one year, NMSI can double the number of math, science and English exams passed by students in high schools that join. It’s a huge and immediate difference, and one that many U.S. schools need. You can see a video on NMSI’s great work on YouTube. At APCO, we’re tremendously proud to work with NMSI on their mission to move the needle on STEM education in the U.S.
Posted on Friday, September 28th, 2012 By SharedPurpose
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Trailblazing at the Clinton Global Initiative

Clinton Global InitiativeThis year marks the eighth Clinton Global Initiative* (CGI) Annual Meeting, where movers and shakers from around the world come together in New York to make commitments and address some of the greatest enduring challenges. Among its many successes, CGI has helped elevate girls and women to the world stage through featured programming for several years. Never before with such consistency and depth has such a major global platform put the spotlight on the needs and opportunities facing girls and women today. Leaders from Michelle Bachelet to Queen Rania have come together at CGI to raise awareness, launch new programs and celebrate successes.
Posted on Sunday, September 23rd, 2012 By Leela Stake
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CR: Business Benefits and Media Mishaps

I ran across two studies recently that together make a pretty compelling business case for CR. The first was a Working Paper by faculty at HBS’s Accounting and Management school that finds statistically significant evidence that companies with superior environmental and social performance face significantly lower capital constraints. Contrary to arguments that CR imposes costs on a firm, the authors assert that stakeholder engagement can cut down on agency costs, and greater transparency leads to greater accountability and better risk management, which together increases access to finance. Good news to those who see the potential in CR for long-run value creation.
Posted on Thursday, August 9th, 2012 By Julie Jack
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Let’s Talk about Sex

While investing in women and girls is a hot topic these days, there’s one issue that hasn’t been getting much attention: family planning. When compared to other popular areas of focus (e.g., girls’ education, women’s economic opportunities, young women’s leadership development), the more politically charged issues of women’s sexuality, contraception and family planning are harder to [...]
Posted on Tuesday, May 29th, 2012 By Leela Stake
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Boston College Corporate Citizenship Conference Highlights

Kirk Stewart, Tara Greco and I were part of the record-breaking crowd that attended the annual Boston College Corporate Citizenship Conference held in Phoenix last week. Here are the key ideas panelists and participants were buzzing about: The lines between risk management, issues management, brand management and corporate responsibility continue to blur. More and more, [...]
Posted on Thursday, April 5th, 2012 By Leela Stake
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‘Tis the Season for Budget Discussions…

It’s hard to miss the conversations around government spending these days. Lots of debating, discussing and pontificating about how money is collected and spent at both the federal and state levels this time of year. The federal budget conversation is a constant din in the background here in D.C. And I usually pay attention to the negotiations for D.C., Maryland and Virginia because they have a real impact on my life. Otherwise, I minimize time spent tuning into the dialogue.
Posted on Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012 By Tara Greco
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The Year of Shared Value Policy?

Sometimes my mom sends me things. Mostly forwarded emails with jokes or pictures (which, mom, if you’re reading, I always read all the way to the end…). When I go visit my parents in Philly, which I did over the holidays, I get the print form of some of these little tidbits. Laying in the little pile for me this time was an article about the benefit corporation legislation pending in Pennsylvania. It seemed like a fitting end to 2011 and good foreshadowing for 2012.
Posted on Wednesday, February 1st, 2012 By Andrea Shatzman
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