Corporate and Personal Philanthropic Efforts Booming During Time of Pandemic

If the current COVID-19 pandemic has shown us anything besides the importance of taking proper measures to keep yourself healthy and prevent infecting others, it’s that there are lots of people, far too numerous to count, who truly care about their fellow men, women and children.

In some cases, these are individuals who are sewing home-made masks during their quarantine to help others protect themselves, or restaurant owners whose businesses are temporarily closed but who are preparing and donating a wide range of meals to frontline healthcare workers and first responders.

In other instances, a number of business executives are using their personal and company resources to provide support where it’s needed, whether in the form of needed items, professional services or often-significant financial donations.

We’re all in this together. We know that now.

According to Los Angeles Times staff writer Laurence Darmiento, the pandemic has spurred many to action. “The charitable acts have come in all shapes and sizes,” he writes, adding that they include large charitable gifts from corporations, foundations and individuals, including faith-based and other sources.

In New York City, the Soho vintage boutique Edie Parker turned its lights off and shut its doors as the pandemic became widespread. But it kept its ecommerce platform active and has been donating a portion of its weekly sample sale profits to three organizations that need help:  Feeding America, Citymeals on Wheels and No Kid Hungry. Owner Brett Heyman also explained to her customers that, as she strives to help others, she also wants to lift their spirits.

“We understand that we are not an ‘essential’ item during this time,” wrote Heyman on the company’s website. “While we must be serious now and act in the best interest of our friends, neighbors and larger community, we will try to be a bright spot and bring you levity with product emails, Instagram posts, pithy videos, and countless other attempts.”

From relatively small companies like Edie Parker to major corporate entities, everyone in business seems to realize the need to provide help and support. Cisco Systems, the global technology leader, has committed $225 million to help with pandemic-fighting efforts. Their support will help fund healthcare, education, government responses, and technology.

With people around the world now working from home working remotely, Cisco’s technology is providing online security to more than over 2.2 million of them. Webex, the company’s video conferencing platform, has been facilitating virtual meetings for the various governments as they coordinate their policy responses to the crisis.

“Cisco must, and will, do even more to help others respond to this global pandemic,” said Chuck Robbins, the company’s chairman and CEO, who has joined his peers at various technology companies in Silicon Valley to provide support for local organizations that help vulnerable communities.

Why do business leaders often help during times of trouble?

For some, it’s a lifelong mission that was initially inspired by others. As an example, Chicago wealth manager Thomas Kane, who is very active in helping a variety of causes and charities year-round, has said that he spent his childhood watching his parents write checks to such organizations as the local Salvation Army and the Jewish United Fund. This made him want to do the same as an adult.

Today, Kane supports numerous organizations, programs and initiatives including the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF),  the 100 Club of Chicago, the Hippocratic Cancer Research Foundation, and the Jewish Federation of Chicago. He also co-leads a mission called Rosh Gadol that focuses on bringing philanthropic minded young business leaders from Chicago to Israel every few years to spend time with local leaders.

Brett Heyman, Thomas Kane and Chuck Robbins are among countless executives who combine their business savvy with philanthropic activity. There is no question that the list will continue to grow as the pandemic continues. When you learn about the various charitable efforts in which these and numerous other leaders are engaged. It’s easy to see the human and caring side of what many perceive as pure capitalism. Charitable support — lots of it, and much more than most people are aware of — is there for anyone who cares to look for it.