Social Investments and Philantropic Contributions

Contributing different types of non-commercial financial support, from traditional philanthropy to social venture funds and hybrid or “blended-value” financing mechanisms, employee volunteers and expertise, product donations and other in-kind contributions. These activities can help to support or strengthen local communities and the poor by:

• Supporting education, training, youth development, environmental, health, and nutrition projects.
• Building capacity of community leaders and social entrepreneurs.
• Training local technical specialists in areas such as health and environment.
• Building governance capacity and voice of local civil society groups and media organizations.
• Supporting multi-cultural education and awareness programmes.
• Assisting with voter education initiatives, community advocacy and participatory decision-making.
• Establishing and supporting micro-credit programmes and small business support.

(Source: The United Nations and the Private Sector: A Framework for Collaboration, UN Global Compact Office 2008)

(Last Update: 2 January 2008)