Despite some negative stories, many corporations get it right

These days it is too easy to beat up on corporations. They are obvious targets, right behind politicians and the nastiness of the campaigns.

Just two more days and the negative, misleading and often false ads will stop. This election season has been torture, and I am glad to see it all end. Just be sure the spew does not turn you into a nonvoter; you still have a voice and an opinion, so be sure to use it.

Back to corporations: As in most games, a few bad players spoil the image of the majority, and big business has two black eyes these days. However, a recent experience made me stand back and appreciate large businesses in a big way.

For years the United Way has visited the BBB to make their annual pitch for donations. The return engagement took place last week at our Full Friday meeting, when BBB staff from Montana, the Tri-Cities and Portland come to Spokane for a few days to reconnect.

I must own up to the fact that the BBB team historically has not been a big donor to the United Way. In the past, some volunteer visits have been less than inspirational. With charities, inspiration is key to parting donors from their money. That “tug-at-your-heartstrings plea” is why scammers rake in so much money after natural and manmade disasters.

Last week, two United Way volunteers visited the BBB. One was from the ARC, the other was a loaned Avista executive. The presentation was not sappy, just honest and human. They both talked about their own children and how they have benefited from programs supported by United Way. The man from the ARC told us stories about how they help people who can function in society but need a bit more help than the rest of us. They did an awesome job, and BBB staff participation in the United Way campaign this year grew by leaps and bounds.

There is a reason that the United Way visits the BBB each October. This time of year traditionally kicks off the charitable giving season. And when legitimate charities are out ringing bells and e-mailing pink ribbons, scammers also are out trying to siphon off donations.

Before donating, check out charities with the BBB. We’ll tell you whether the organization meets our standards of being transparent, avoiding conflicts of interest, and allocating at least 65 percent of the money they collect to their programs. By donating to charities you trust, you can ensure that your money performs the good work you intend it to. Remember to Start with Trust at www.bbb.org.

The piece of information from our Full Friday presenters that I found the most amazing had to do with the efforts of 10 large local companies in assisting not only the United Way and its partner agencies, but our community in general. These 10 have agreed to match all increased and new donations from any person or employee participating. Now corporate matching is nothing new, but this is much broader in scope. For example, when a BBB employee, a new donor, decides to start a per-paycheck contribution to United Way, these 10 businesses will pool their resources and match that new donation. “Two for the price of one” doubles your money and provides more assistance to people in need. Everyone wins.

Avista, Bank of America, Clearwater Paper, Deaconess, Itron, Moss-Adams, Potlatch, Rockwood, Valley Hospital and Washington Trust Bank are the 10 companies. Thank you. Way to step up and do what needs to be done.

With government budget cuts and challenges to the economy, nonprofits and charities are struggling. Many companies are cutting support and sponsorship and that makes it hard for many of us in the nonprofit world to keep up with the correspondingly higher demand for services. Even the BBB is picking up services once provided by now unfunded government agencies while experiencing shrinking support from corporations. It is the nature of the times, and anyone who has been in nonprofit leadership for any length of time knows this is just part of the rollercoaster ride.

But when I saw and understood the contribution of these 10 corporations to the United Way effort, I knew there were still companies out there deeply committed to their communities. There are many more examples of this type of business than there are of the bad ones. We should thank them every chance we get.