Cause Marketing/Corporate Partnerships

General Mills announced the launch of Partners in Food Solutions as a hunger-fighting nonprofit bringing food production and food processing expertise to small and medium-sized food processors in African nations.

From a Lady Gaga prayer bracelet to special sushi rolls at restaurants, the disaster in Japan has led to a rash of relief efforts.

But as consumers become increasingly skeptical of cause-related marketing, celebrities, organizations and major marketers have to walk a fine line, trying to help without appearing to exploit the tragedy for profits.

With an estimated 440,000 people living in shelters following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan on Friday, contributions from corporations have outpaced those from individuals and are on track to surpass corporate support for disaster relief efforts in Haiti after that country was struck by a devastating earthquake in 2010, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center reports.

Certain nonprofit organizations served by PPL Electric Utilities can now apply for a free energy assessment to help them increase energy efficiency, reduce electric bills and improve their bottom line.

Under a new program announced Tuesday (3/15) by the utility, select nonprofit customers — a group that could range from volunteer fire companies to houses of worship and community-based organizations — can get a free energy efficiency checkup. The assessment will include detailed recommendations on the highest priority, most effective actions to reduce electricity use.

They're like Groupon for bargain-hunting do-gooders.

Two daily-deal websites based in the Nashville area have a charitable twist to their local online coupons: Part of the money goes to a local nonprofit.

Though much smaller than monster websites such as Groupon and LivingSocial.com, SharingSpree.com and RunDaisy.com are trying to break through consumers' and shop owners' daily-deal fatigue in a multibillion-dollar industry.

Aflac, the company that pays cash benefits fast when you are sick or hurt, today announced that it has been awarded two Communitas Awards for excellence in community service and corporate social responsibility. Winners are recognized for specific programs involving volunteerism, philanthropy, or ethical and sustainable business practices. Nominees are evaluated based on the extent and effectiveness of their programs.

Louisiana’s biggest corporate players, many with long agendas before the state government, are restricted in making campaign contributions to Gov. Bobby Jindal. But they can give whatever they like to the foundation set up by his wife months after he took office. AT&T, which needed Mr. Jindal, a Republican, to sign off on legislation allowing the company to sell cable television services without having to negotiate with individual parishes, has pledged at least $250,000 to the Supriya Jindal Foundation for Louisiana’s Children.

As the U.S. economy slowly recovers from the worst economic downturn in decades, corporate philanthropy is no longer just about writing a check for charity as executives look to use their core business to do social good, experts say.

The growing trend was dubbed "creating shared value" by Michael Porter of the Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness at Harvard Business School, who said companies need to reconnect business success with social progress.

The King’s Speech won Best Picture and other accolades at the Academy Awards last night.

It's also brought attention to the Memphis, Tenn.-based charity the Stuttering Foundation and garnered thousands of dollars from the increased attention to how stuttering can be overcome.

Donations in January to the foundation increased 10 percent from that same month in 2010. In February the Stuttering Foundation of America received $25,000 in donations versus the $10,000 it received in February 2010.

The Nashville Predators are joining forces with Jersey Mike’s Subs restaurants throughout the Nashville area in a March Month of Giving fundraising campaign. The campaign will culminate in Jersey Mike’s nationwide Make A Difference Day event on March 28.

During the month of March, customers can make a donation to the Nashville Predators Foundation at any area Jersey Mike’s store.