United Way QC unveils new ‘Dividend Program’

The “ripple effects” of generosity will help improve the lives of many in the Quad Cities. But more work needs to be done and more people need to be at least a little bit more generous with their time, talents and money. Those were some of the key messages delivered late Wednesday afternoon, April 5, […]

The “ripple effects” of generosity will help improve the lives of many in the Quad Cities. But more work needs to be done and more people need to be at least a little bit more generous with their time, talents and money. Those were some of the key messages delivered late Wednesday afternoon, April 5, during a United Way Quad Cities gathering – called The Generosity Dividend Event –  held at the Deere & Company World Headquarters building in Moline. The invitation-only meeting attracted more than 200 people, most of them from the Quad Cities business community, nonprofits and local governments. Rene Gellerman, president and CEO of United Way Quad Cities, said she hopes the business and community leaders will create that “ripple effect” with their generosity. One way to create those positive ripples is through the United Way’s new QC Dividend Program.

That program, which was unveiled at the celebration event, urges companies and corporations to donate at least 1% of their pre-tax earnings to the community through cash contributions, in-kind donations and/or employee volunteerism. The program “will set an example for other QC businesses … and promises to sustain the Quad Cities spirit of generosity and sense of community,” according to information provided by United Way Quad Cities. Companies participating in the program will be recognized on the United Way QC website and at its annual spring event. In addition to helping the community, pledging at least 1% will be good for business because it will position a company as an influencer in the community, help with employer retention and encourage consumers to buy products from companies that are seen as good partners in the community, the information added. “This is how we create a movement. … Our hope today is that you will join the movement,” Ms. Gellerman told the dozens of community leaders in attendance. United Way officials outlined some of the advantages for companies participating in the Dividend Program:

• Companies with giving programs have 2.3 times the employee retention rate.
• More than 60% of Millennials say that a “sense of purpose” is a key reason why they work for their current employers.
• 87% of consumers value companies that place equal weight on business and supporting communities. 
• Companies with community-engaged employees see a 26% higher revenue per employee and 13% higher total returns to stakeholders.

The Dividend Program’s founding members include John Deere, Sears Seating, Russell, Northwest Bank & Trust Company, Estes Construction and Smart Automotive of Davenport. Business leaders asked the crowd to support the new program and perhaps get more aggressive in asking for help from people and companies in the region. (To learn more about the program, go to this website.) “We need to push the community harder. … We need to dig a little deeper and ask a little harder,” said Jim Russell, CEO of Russell, who was one of the speakers at the United Way event. He was joined by Kent Pilcher, president of Estes Construction, who urged the crowd to “encourage others to be all in” when it comes to supporting the United Way. But it appears that across the country many people are not getting the messages centered on generosity. In fact, there is a “crisis” as the number of Americans making charitable gifts has reached an all-time low. That was the message delivered by the event’s keynote speakers, two of the three authors of the book “The Generosity Crisis: The Case for Radical Connection to Solve Humanity’s Greatest Challenges.” The pair, authors Brian Crimmins and Nathan Chappell, told the crowd that there is a startling decline in generosity in the U.S. In fact, the current trajectory shows that giving to nonprofits will end in about 49 years if the trend continues.

Mr. Crimmins said that just 20 years ago, about two-thirds of Americans gave to charities. “But things have changed dramatically. There has been a significant decline,” he said. Some of the reasons behind the decline include the “crowding out effect” – that is, many people see bigger companies and groups giving to charities and believe their small individual donations are not needed. Also, many people today are no longer associated with any kind of religion, and that has hurt the philosophy of generosity. After the keynote address, Mr. Crimmins told the QCBJ that he believes the “generosity crisis” will likely get worse before it gets better. But he is optimistic the situation will eventually turn around. He said one of the keys is to make the public aware of the crisis.  Also, it is important to note, he added, that many companies and corporations have done a great job of giving and helping their communities. The rebound of individual generosity could come with people donating in conjunction with the philanthropic efforts of their employers. “It will get back. But things will change. It won’t be the same old checking writing as it was in the past,” he added. Mr. Crimmins said that he is especially surprised and pleased that their book “The Generosity Crisis” has gained an audience. In fact, he said numerous book clubs have formed across the country to discuss the book. (Mike Ashley is also another authors of  “The Generosity Crisis,” but he was not a speaker at Wednesday’s event.) The presentation also featured an update on the United Way’s  QC Caring Assignment. Last September, 50 area students each received $100 – or “seed money” –  to help them do good work in the community.  There were four conditions to the assignment:

• The money belongs to the community. The participants can’t spend it on themselves and it should stay in the Quad Cities. 
• They should try to multiply it.
• The money is to be invested in some cause, person, purpose or group about which the participant has a passion.
• Report back to United Way in 120 days on what they did.

The crowd of United Way supporters gathered in John Deere’s auditorium learned that seven of the students teamed up and launched a group effort to support a newly settled refugee family in the region. The students behind that effort were: Sam Brown, Chase Mason, Anima Upadhyay, Noah Seys, Bryce Bowers, Alison Lawrence and Izabella Vega. Another student, Katrina Pfeiffer, worked with Elliott Aviation to help spark an interest in flying and aviation in young people. The initial $5,000 given to the 50 students in the QC Caring Assignment was converted into more than $70,000 in services delivered to the community, United Way officials announced.