By Dan Steif, Chief Business Officer

For over 20 years, Full Circle Fund’s (FCF) programs have connected nonprofit organizations with professionals interested in applying their skills to support community groups. The FCF program model is unique. While some grantmakers provide funding and other organizations provide volunteers, FCF provides both. The program also is a great way for companies to increase their community impact.

In a recent FCF survey, nonprofit Grant Partners report that as a result of our program collaboration:

100% My organization has increased its capacity to fulfill its mission;

90% I have formed new relationships that will help my organization succeed in its mission.

These findings are included in our new “Insights Report: Grant Partner Experience” along with project highlights from our Grant Cycle issue areas including Economic Opportunity, Education, Environment & Energy, and Health, as well as Tech Accelerator Fund and Corporate Accelerator Fund.

FCF is a trusted partner to help companies reach Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals, as well as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion/Belonging (DEIB) goals, bolster employee engagement and retention, and fulfill leadership development objectives.

Project team members participate in a “Power and Privilege” training to learn how to work collaboratively and effectively with professionals from diverse backgrounds. In some cases, volunteer Members from the business sector are invited to join a nonprofit’s board of directors. Other team members continue to volunteer with a Grant Partner on other projects or in an informal advisory role. This substantive level of employee engagement can help businesses with professional development goals beyond grantmaking.

When partnering with companies, FCF takes the issue area of their choosing, sources nonprofits, and carefully scopes projects to complement the strengths of their team; helps recruit the right employees for project teams; trains them to be effective volunteers; launches and manages projects, and then reports on outcomes. And...it’s all turn-key.

To learn more about how to become a Corporate Partner, contact me at dan@fulcirclefund.org.