For-Profit Organizations for Social Change: Understanding Corporate Philanthropic Decision Making

Corporate philanthropy is an attempt by for-profit organizations to improve social conditions, and over time, this activity is ubiquitous with a firm's financial performance and long-term goals. A for-profit organization's involvement in seemingly non-profit activities is, therefore, of significant interest for research. This study examines the decision-making process pertaining to the selection of nonprofit organizations for support. By applying case study methodology and through in-depth interviews of executives from corporations based in the North Texas region, the researcher studies the motivations for and the influences on giving decisions. While examining current philanthropic trends, the study is also prescriptive in terms of how nonprofits can better compete for limited funding opportunities. The study provides significant lessons for nonprofit managers and boards, intermediary organizations, research scholars and practitioners interested in philanthropic decision making and nonprofits.