CMM Managing Partner Joe Campolo and Cerini & Associates Managing Partner Ken Cerini brought the business and nonprofit communities together on January 29 with a candid discussion about creating win-win partnerships. Over 50 business and nonprofit leaders made new connections and came away with a fresh perspective from the event, “A Conversation About Philanthropy and Business,” held in CMM’s state-of-the-art training room in Ronkonkoma.
Campolo spoke of the need to create long-term partnerships, emphasizing that today’s employers and their teams need to be able to visualize and experience the impact of their charitable giving, not just write a check. Businesses need to remain profitable, Campolo explained, and engaging with nonprofits in a way that brings in business does not dilute their charity; rather, it increases engagement and thus the likelihood of the partnership continuing long after the next golf outing or gala is over. “There needs to be something strategic happening,” Campolo said. “How are we investing time between now and the next event?”
The intimate nature of the event helped foster candid discussion and the opportunity for guests to learn from one another. Nonprofit leaders emphasized that businesses often fail to factor in the administrative costs a nonprofit relies on to function, and discussed how they have had to adapt to an increased number of gifts restricted to specific events or projects, creating a cash flow crunch in other areas.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees pointing out the actionable strategies they learned and planned to implement. “This morning’s discussion on philanthropy and business was easily the best event I have attended,” said Kevin O’Connell, owner of Hampton Pest Management. “Thank you for your care and concern for the vulnerable residents of Long Island,” said Jennifer Capezza, Director of Development at L.I. Against Domestic Violence. “There should be more folks out there like you.”
CMM’s goal is to serve as a resource for the Long Island community with forward-thinking events like this one. Sign up for our newsletters to receive updates in your inbox!