Why and How Entrepreneurs Give to Charitable Causes

Other key findings include:

Many entrepreneurs believe philanthropy makes their companies more successful

• 62 percent of respondents say giving back makes their companies more successful in the long run.
• 26 percent say corporate philanthropy was built in to the original business plans.
• 62 percent want to be recognized for their charity work.
• 43 percent believe corporate philanthropy helps attract and retain talent.
• 29 percent made grants based on how charities' causes align with their companies.
• 73 percent encourage their employees to volunteer, and 53 percent offer programs that encourage donating.

Reasons for supporting nonprofits on a corporate level
The top reasons entrepreneurs cite for corporate giving include integrating their personal philosophies for giving into their corporate cultures, helping the less fortunate, believe it's part of a company's corporate citizenship responsibility, it generates good will, it feels good to give, and to support causes that they or people close to them have been affected by.