While workplace giving is a well-established employee outreach activity at most major companies, it has changed and evolved over the years in very significant ways.  At one time, United Way and other combined appeals dominated the giving options that were available to employees.  Today, many businesses offer other alternatives ranging from matching payroll contributions designated for community charities selected by employees to engaging staff with electronic and social media donation activities.   Apparently, employee “engagement” has become the dominating trend in developing these workplace programs.  In addition, some companies have incorporated volunteerism in the mix of encouraged charity involvement and have spread some of the giving options to be throughout the year and not just during the fall. 

Workplace giving is also the subject of the latest  Building Trust Video Series which features an interview with Thomas G. Bognanno, President & CEO of Community Health Charities (a BBB Accredited Charity).  This organization has one of the largest workplace giving programs in the U.S. and during the past five years has helped distribute more than $400 million to its nearly 2,000 member charities which focus on health issues. Not only is Tom knowledgeable on workplace giving but he also strongly believes in the importance of accountability.  As you will hear in the video, Community Health Charities developed its own charity participation guidelines based on the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability. This helps demonstrate that BBB Charity Standards have impact not only in the evaluative reports appearing on our website but also in the various ways that charities encourage compliance in their relations with their members, local affiliates and chapters. 

We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org or local BBBs to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:

• Atlas Service Corps
• Common Cause Education Fund
• National Council of the US Society of St. Vincent de Paul 

Finally, remember to let us know by going to https://give.org/ask-us-about-a-charity1/ if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.  

H. Art Taylor, President & CEO
BBB Wise Giving Alliance