Corporate Social Responsibility Programs not only impact the way customers perceive a Company’s brand, but the Company’s actual products and services. Research has shown:
- According to one survey, half of consumers say they are likely to buy from companies they view as responsible
- 61% perceived that a company’s motive for social responsibility was a genuine desire to help others.
- 70% of Millennials – and 51% percent of Boomers (50-64) – say that they’re willing to pay more for products that create positive social and environmental impacts
Cincinnati’s Resurgence
You’ll agree, it’s no secret that Cincinnati is experiencing a resurgence, from the banks of the Ohio River into Uptown and beyond. This renaissance has captured the attention of national media. Cincinnati is cited as a hotbed for entrepreneurial growth and America’s best city for mid-career and young professionals.
But, Cincinnati will never truly be a great city if we don’t deal with the issue of homelessness. And, that’s where Corporate Social Responsibility Programs can make the most impact.
Homelessness: A Complex Issue
Homelessness is a complex social issue, one with interconnected causes. Such as, high unemployment, a lack of affordable housing and education, mental illness and substance abuse. Only through a systemic, inclusive, community-wide approach can we solve such a vast and far-reaching societal problem.
The majority of the government grants from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) pass through Strategies to End Homelessness to our 30+ partner organizations that deliver services. (Agencies you and your employees very likely know and support). However, the work we do to implement the most cost-effective and outcomes-driven interventions are not covered by this budget.
Under-funded, but Critical Programs to End Homelessness
Like Data Analysis. Our local homeless services system was the first in the nation to have 100% participation in a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). That is all of the community’s homeless services organizations share their data.
Although the data on its own is powerful, it could be much more powerful if analyzed in association with data gathered through other systems. For example, it will allow us to identify indicators that lead to homelessness and cause recidivism.
Or Prevention. Prevention creates the biggest return on investment for our community. On average it costs just $1,250 to prevent a person from becoming homeless. However, once a person becomes homeless, it costs our community 4x as much to stabilize that person in shelter and back into housing. Despite these facts, only 4% of all public funding resources can be used toward prevention.
How can the Corporate Community Help?
We’d love to discuss a Corporate Social Responsibility Program where you can create lasting change in Cincinnati. Overall, better data, better deployment of resources, and better outcomes, will further the renaissance of our region. But it’s not possible without the support of the Corporate Community. Let’s work together to create awareness of the problem of homelessness in Greater Cincinnati. And find solutions, together.
Do you run a Corporate Social Responsibility Program? Let’s Connect!
We’d love to connect about your Corporate Social Responsibility Programs or work together to create a unique program. And we always welcome the opportunity to speak to groups about our work in the community. Please contact us!