NLC's Corporate Partners Making a Footprint in Their Communities
Local governments are tapping into the networks and resources of businesses and their employees to confront problems and contribute to resolving issues in their communities. When their support is leveraged with both human and financial capital in the community, businesses see a direct impact on their customers’ and employees’ quality of life.
NLC has long advocated for local leaders to take advantage of the tremendous opportunities and mutual benefits that collaborative partnerships with businesses provide. Each business offers a unique set of services and activities that they and their employees can address in their communities. Their physical spaces and technologies can offer key assets for community gatherings and outreach. Local business partners often have skills and expertise in facilitation, budget management and organizational development that can enhance the capacities of neighborhood and community groups. Employees can be mobilized as volunteers for on-going community projects and in times of emergencies. The investment of businesses can serve to bring long term sustainability and viability to communities.
Bonnie Mann, project manager for NLC’s Democratic Governance project interviewed several of NLC’s Corporate Partners and invited them to share their corporate responsibility focuses and programs. Each Corporate Partner representative spoke of the commitment and compassion by their employees for the communities in which they live and work. These companies were selected for the first round of interviews because they are located in many cities around the country.
As municipal budgets continue to tighten, city officials are encouraging businesses and their employees to work with local governments and non-profits to strengthen and expand services in the community. These partnerships and collaborations are resulting in sustainable solutions to neighbors and in neighborhoods.
Read the interviews:
The Home Depot Foundation
Fred Wacker
Director and Chief Operating Officer
Verizon Communications, Inc.
Kathryn C. Brown, Senior Vice President
Christopher T. Lloyd, Executive Director
Public Policy Development & Corporate Responsibility
Southwest Airlines
Christine Ortega
Manager of Community Affairs & Grassroots
Communications & Strategic Outreach
NLC Democratic Governance Program
NLC's Democratic Governance program encourages and enables city officials to engage in dialogue around various forms of civic engagement, consensus building, collaboration and participatory practices.
NLC Corporate Engagement
The National League of Cities Corporate Partners Program promotes the exchange of ideas between corporate leaders and the leaders of America's cities in order to strengthen local government, encourage economic competitiveness and promote corporate civic engagement. NLC Corporate Partners provide valuable insights and perspectives on issues facing cities and towns and offer resources to address those opportunities and challenges.
