SF Gives Announces Corporate Philanthropy Playbook

SAN FRANCISCO, May 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Tipping Point Community's SF Gives, a $10 million initiative created by a coalition of business and tech leaders to fight poverty in the San Francisco Bay Area, today released its first Corporate Philanthropy Playbook to help businesses optimize the impact of their philanthropic efforts. Developed by Tipping Point in partnership with the Boston Consulting Group, the Playbook leverages the collective knowledge and experience of 20 SF Gives companies to map out best practices that deliver real world results.

"When it comes to philanthropy, it can be hard to know where to start," said Daniel Lurie, CEO + Founder of Tipping Point. "Working on SF Gives we realized companies are eager for the right opportunity to give back to their communities but they're looking for direction. The playbook provides a concrete guide of what works, who's leading the way, and what we can accomplish together."

New analysis conducted by the Boston Consulting Group for the SF Gives Playbook found that 70% of the $5.5 billion dollars donated by Bay Area companies in 2013 came from the tech sector, which amounted to $3.8 billion invested in the community through cash, unrestricted grants and in-kind donations. The analysis also found that there are small but critical steps companies can take to maximize giving, and significantly alter the philanthropic landscape. If Bay Area tech companies alone pledge 1% of revenue, commit to giving 20% in the form of cash, and focus 30% of their giving locally, together they would generate a $341 million increase in cash given to the Bay Area. Those funds would equate to roughly seven times San Francisco's commitment to affordable housing or double its budget to address homelessness.

There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to corporate philanthropy, and the most successful efforts involve a flexible, strategic mix of cash donations, employee matching, gifted products and services and paid time-off to volunteer. The SF Gives Playbook provides a roadmap for companies to identify the best way to integrate philanthropy into their business culture while making it easier to give.

"We are fortunate to live in the Bay Area, which offers so much talent, creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and technology. But I firmly believe that comes with a responsibility to leverage those talents and the resulting economy it drives to invest some back into the community to address the biggest social issues of our time," said Chip Bergh, President and Chief Executive Officer, Levi Strauss & Co. "We applaud SF Gives, the Tipping Point Community and the companies that have joined this movement for helping to facilitate these efforts and working tirelessly to make us smarter and more effective in the process."

Aaron Levie, co-founder and CEO of Box, shared, "By joining forces with like-minded companies, we are working to build a better future for the Bay Area and all its residents. We are excited about the potential for SF Gives and the Playbook to help companies get started or maximize their giving."

"We live in the most creative city in the world, with seemingly limitless opportunities," said John Hering, co-founder and Executive Chairman of Lookout. "SF Gives and the Playbook have given us the opportunity to use our prosperity and ingenuity to help people living in poverty in the Bay Area."

To learn more about SF Gives and see the SF Gives Playbook, visit http://www.sf-gives.org/playbook. 100% of the $10 million raised by SF Gives will be used to educate, employ, house and support the Bay Area's 1.3 million people who are too poor to meet their basic needs.

About Tipping Point Community
Tipping Point Community screens non-profits rigorously to find, fund and partner with the most effective organizations serving Bay Area individuals and families in need. Tipping Point's board underwrites all operating and fundraising expenses so that 100% of every dollar donated goes directly toward the fight against poverty. Since 2005, Tipping Point has raised more than $100 million to educate, employ, house and support more than 465,000 people in need. More information about Tipping Point Community is available at www.tippingpoint.org.

SOURCE Tipping Point Community

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