We know that the profitable growth of our company depends on the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of our communities across the world. And we know it is in our best interests to contribute to the sustainability of those communities

Travis Engen, CEO, Alcan

Corporate Social Investment

What is Corporate Social Investment (CSI)?

CSI encompasses projects that are external to the normal business activities of a company and not directly for purposes of increasing company profit. These projects have a strong developmental approach and utilize company resources to benefit and uplift communities and are not primarily driven as marketing initiatives. 

CSI is one of the sub-components of CSR (Corporate Social Responsbility) and aims to uplift communities in such a way that the quality of life is generally improved and safeguarded.

Why develop a CSI Strategy? What can CSI do for you?
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• By becoming a good corporate citizen you can improve your organization’s competitive edge in terms of attracting and retaining investors, clients and employees.
• CSI demonstrates the 'heart' of your company and can enhance your credibility.
• Improve the living conditions of your employees, their families and the communities in which you operate, thereby creating a sense of employee satisfaction and loyalty.
• Contribute to and support your marketing tools: i.e. brand awareness.
• Align your company with industry charters: SRI (Social Responsibility Index) and GRI (Global Reporting Index).
• Stabilize the social and economic environment.
• Generate new business ideas.
• Generate inquiries about your business operations.
• Enhance your company’s corporate image and ultimately your Return On Investment.

So, where does Blackbird come in?

We have skills, expertise, and tools to position you as a leader in Corporate Social Investment. Whether you're a newbie or a veteran lookin' to get more serious, we can step in to add value to your company.

NEWBIES You want to make a bigger impact in your community and want to know how to get going on the right foot.

Are you a new business or a successful business interested in getting involved in community donations? You're in the right spot because we're going to help you get off on the right foot. Many business owners long to give back but want to make sure they're making a coordinated impact. Learn more on how we can make that happen and what you can do to prepare for the process. 

SOLUTIONS:
⦁ Assistance with policy & strategy facilitation
⦁ Set up processes, procedures, and governance
⦁ Establishing project criteria and priorities
⦁ Build capacity among staff and empower executives to participate
⦁ Advise your decision making committees and board meetings
⦁ Assess projects - Capacity assessments of nonprofits, research, ID projects, site visits
⦁ Engaging and planning with partners to set targets and monitoring indicators
⦁ Site visit evaluations 
⦁ Assist with reporting to industry associations
⦁ Conduct an in-house workshop
⦁ LBG Measurement Tool application

VETERANS You're already giving but want to be more strategic and intentional in your philanthropy. 

Does your company already give a substantial amount of money out each year? Are you looking to figure out how to measure your impact and make those donations more meaningful? With our extended services, we can restart your giving engine and make sure you're headed in the right direction.

Many executives we talk to have a heart of gold but still feel discomfort seeing the corporate giving line item on their budgets. They're left wondering: "Did I make an impact? Was this money well spent?" A professional Corporate Social Investment strategy can answer those questions for you.

SOLUTIONS:
⦁ Audit of projects funded to-date (step one for all new clients)
⦁ Identify which projects fit into the CSI strategy to continue supporting and those that need to be exited
⦁ Workshops, coaching, consulting
⦁ Assess effectiveness of current partners to date
⦁ Capacity assessment
⦁ LBG CSI Measurement Tool application