Corporate Investments in Education During an Economic Downturn

The International Journal of Educational Advancement (Volume 9, Number 4, April 2010) includes an article authored by Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF) staff and consultants, “Corporate Investments in Education During an Economic Downturn,” that was presented during the American Educational Research Association’s (AERA) 91st Annual Meeting in Denver, CO, held April 30 through May 4.

The article , co-authored by BHEF Director of Programs Jeanne Contardo, PhD, former BHEF staff member Kirstin McCarthy, and BHEF consultant Leila Morsy Eckert focuses on the fact that corporate philanthropies can provide much-needed support to K-12 and postsecondary education efforts, and analyzes whether select multi-billion dollar corporate philanthropies continue such support and adhere to best-funding practices during economic downturns.

Multiple corporate philanthropists were interviewed for the article and their recommendations for grant seekers who want to partner with corporate philanthropies are included.

“The fact that in times of economic downturn, four multi-billion dollar corporations remained committed to funding those areas they deemed most in need of support is very telling,” says Contardo.  “Both K-12 and postsecondary education remained at the top of these lists as long as they aligned with each philanthropy’s theory of change. 

The article was structured to explore the continued relevance of BHEF’s best practices framework developed following the 2008 Institute for Strategic Investment in Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. This Institute convened more than 45 corporate and private philanthropic leaders and education leaders for two and a half days to explore how best to leverage corporate philanthropic monies to maximize the impact on education. Contardo, McCarthy, and Ekhart found that during the economic downturn, the large corporations observed did not adhere to an identical set of ‘best practices,’ instead utilizing those practices they deemed most important for their targeted client base, desired workforce outcomes, current corporate culture, and financial forecast.

International Journal of Educational Advancement 9, 251-265 (April 2010)

http://www.palgrave-journals.com/ijea/journal/v9/n4/pdf/ijea200944a.pdf