Caring Corporations- A Modern-Day Robin Hood's Dream

"Take from the rich and give to the poor." This well-known adage not only reminds us of the heroic Robin Hood, but it also describes the core of what we call philanthropic work today. Major companies have often dedicated bits of their revenues to charitable causes; but, the idea of corporate philanthropy has taken on a whole new meaning in the past few years. Instead of simply writing checks to charities, companies have begun to use the "skills and capabilities ... from their business operations and apply [them] to solving big social challenges" ("The Exchange"). This active charitable trend spans both industry and social cause, and has apportioned countless hours and millions of dollars of aid to those most in need. Financial firms like JP Morgan Chase have charged some of their most brilliant investment bankers with "finding funds that invest exclusively in businesses that are addressing critical local challenges" (“The Exchange”). Countless retailers have responded with the donation of goods to refugees after natural disasters and conflicts. Like I referenced before, this newly excited trend of corporate philanthropy is a modern-day Robin Hood's dream, taking not simply money from the rich to give to the poor, but also their time and education. Companies are no longer just trying to put a monetary bandaid on major social issues, they are working to correct them. Enter me. The philanthropy work that I have done through various service organizations at the collegiate level has made me passionate about pursuing a career "taking from the rich and giving to the poor" at the professional level. Nothing has given me more passion as an undergrad, and nothing has guided my career choice more. Phancy Philanthropy reflects my research into and preparation for a career in the field of corporate philanthropy. Hopefully it will inform and inspire fellow Robin Hoods to pursue a career in this field as well, and hopefully it will showcase some of the amazing charity work that many of today's most well-known corporations are performing on massive scales each day.

"The Exchange." Yahoo Finance. N.p., 15 May 2013. Web. 11 Feb. 2014.