Thanks for Giving

In 2002, "Project Donation" distributed $15,887 to individuals and families facing unexpected crises in their lives, , and sponsored families for Christmas. The funds were raised by employees during "dress-down Fridays" and matched by the bank.

"Community service is in the company's mission statement," Cone says. First National Bank is among the United Way's "corporate pacesetters," he adds.

Corporate donations come because of a relationship that's been developed over the years, says Bennett. One example, on a smaller scale, is the relationship between Fort Myers CPA firm of Reed, Blackwood & Co. and Southwest Florida Addiction Services (SFWAS). John Reed got to know SFWAS executive director Kevin Lewis through their kids' sports activities. As Reed learned about the organization and its efforts to provide care to individuals and families impacted by addiction and other problem behaviors, he sent a letter to his clients saying they would match any funds clients gave to the charity.

A matching gift program is a smart way to show clients and employees there is a commitment to giving, says Kathleen Witter of Boston College's Center for Corporate Citizenship. Another strategy is to formally establish which causes are important to the company and how it will support such groups. "It holds them accountable," she says.

Some local professional groups such as The P.O.L.O. Club, which has chapters in Lee and Collier, promote hands-on efforts not connected with a particular company. Standing for Professionals Organized for Leadership & Opportunity, the groups provide a forum for members to gather and plan activities that will benefit the community and local charities. The members, from a mix of professions and age groups, have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and worked on projects from painting homes for Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers to organizing Jazz on the Green to benefit the Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida. "A few people join because their company wants them to get involved in the community. Others join because they do want to do some good work in the community; others join because they want to meet people," says Lissack, president of the Lee County group.

As a business owner for more than 20 years, Hubbard has found that he has increased his number of volunteer hours. "You're actually part of the program. You can see your dollar works. [Organizations] are constantly looking for program volunteers," he says.

Instead of forcing his employees to give, he wants to convince them that a portion of their hard-earned money can be effective. "It's trying to expose them to the agencies and trying to give them an attentive ear if they have questions about the agencies. Employees had no idea initially that any of the United Way money stays local, let alone that an extremely high percentage stays local," he says. "[Business owners] have to expose their employees, if possible, to agencies through an agency tour. Spare that small amount of time, even an hour. Say this will be your dollars at work."