Global Development Alliance (GDA) “CORPORATE PHILANTROPY: SUPPORTING GOOD PRACTICE AND TRANSPARENCY”

A. Alliance Partners
Ukrainian and international businesses that bring their experience of good practice of corporate philanthropy, and private foundations are initial partners of Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) in this activity. ISC has memoranda of understanding and/or grant agreements in place with all partners, demonstrating common interest and commitment to work together. The partners include:

The American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine (Chamber).
The Chamber and ISC, have a three-year partnership through the UCAN program, and a mutual goal to establish a sustainable mechanism for on-going corporate philanthropy in Ukraine. Since 2003, The Chamber and UCAN have funded 26 projects. In June 2005, the Chamber and ISC-UCAN jointly established the Ukrainian Fund for Corporate Citizenship (UFCC) as a mechanism for businesses to make contributions to support social needs, social entrepreneurship, and community philanthropy. The Chamber continues to provide cash funds which it raises through annual charity events among its members. Activities and staff of UFCC have been incorporated in new Ukrainian NGO “Foundation for Ukraine” now. The Chamber supports the foundation among its members and provide an in-kind contribution of time for advising on the development of tools for business.

NIKO Trade House (NIKO).
The Ukrainian company NIKO, the nationwide distributor for Mitsubishi Motors, currently engages in a range of philanthropic activities within Ukraine, including charitable contributions for socially vulnerable groups, and support for higher education and cultural activities. ISC and NIKO signed an MOU in 2005 expressing mutual interest in supporting corporate philanthropy. NIKO became aware of UFCC through its membership in the American Chamber of Commerce, and has pledged the first contributions for the UFCC for 2006. In addition to this cash contribution, they provide an in-kind contribution of time for advice and guidance on working with Ukrainian businesses and pilot workplace giving program.

United Nations in Ukraine (UN).
The UN has launched a major new program – the Global Compact Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiative, building on years of experience promoting CSR around the world. ISC and the UN have signed an MOU to support each other’s efforts in the development of corporate social responsibility. ISC-UCAN helped sponsor of the first Global Compact forum between the Ukrainian government, business, and CSOs. The UN and ISC jointly fund the development of a publication of CSR practices in Ukraine to serve as a resource in promoting philanthropy, support for CSOs, and good practice.

USAID/Ukraine supports the GDA by funding a grant to ISC to implement GDA activities. This grant is assistance to Ukraine under the terms of the 1992 Bilateral Agreement between the Ukrainian and U.S. Governments on humanitarian and technical economic cooperation.

Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC). ISC serves as the managing partner for the project, drawing on its experience with its corporate GDA program in Russia. The project receives support from corporate members of ISC’s board who have international reputations for corporate philanthropy and social responsibility programs through in-kind contributions of time for advice and guidance on working with business, support for public events, and meetings with business to promote corporate philanthropy.

B. Resource Partners

Avon Cosmetics Ukraine (Avon) - Alina Sevastyuk, Director of Public Relations. Avon brings an established program for corporate philanthropy from its international business practice, and experience in introducing innovative programs in Ukraine, such as their 2005 walk for breast cancer to provide needed medical equipment for women in rural areas. Through the breast cancer walk program, Avon demonstrated successful corporate-CSO partnership and new approaches for legally managing donated funds in Ukraine’s often challenging legal environment. Alina Sevastyuk works with ISC and provide in-kind contributions of time for advice and guidance on the development of tools and approaches for working with business, and guidance for businesses to work with CSOs.

Community Shares USA (www.communitysharesusa.org) - Lana Cowell. Community Shares is committed to community-based problem solving, and provides businesses in the United States with the means to support local charities, women’s groups and social justice organizations. Community Shares helps to establish collaborative fundraising organizations that represent CSOs in workplace giving campaigns. The board of directors of Community Shares USA has expressed interest in applying their model in an international context. Ms. Cowell works with Ukrainian advisors on adapting the Community Shares model to the Ukrainian context.

Network for Good (www.networkforgood.org) - Katya Andresen, Vice President of Marketing. Network for Good is the leading Internet charitable resource promoting user-friendly on-line tools and giving founded by Time Warner Foundation, AOL, Cisco Foundation, and Yahoo, Inc. Ms. Andresen has been involved in developing corporate relationships and information to promote giving at the Network for Good. In addition to this experience, Ms. Andresen is also the author of Robin Hood Marketing: Stealing Corporate Savvy to Sell Just Causes, a book which applies Andresen’s business marketing knowledge to non-profit organizations. Andresen advises on the development of on-line tools and resources for the project, and the development of training for CSOs in managing corporate relationships.

Ukrainian Grantmakers Forum - is an association of local and international donors whose mission is to promote responsible and effective philanthropy for the development of Ukrainian society. The forum serves as an informational partner promoting participation in program, provides resources and information.

The European Business Association (EBA) Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Committee, promotes CSR among EBA members and wider business community in Ukraine; shares experience and best practice in implementing social initiatives; develops and promotes CSR reporting standards; educates companies on the right ways to promote their CSR efforts; identifies and overcomes regulatory and other obstacles to CSR in Ukraine; and assists EBA members in finding reliable partners for their CSR initiatives. EBA serves as an informational partner.

The Center for Ukrainian Reform Education (CURE), in the framework of its activities, provides political and social reforms in Ukraine and to increase Ukrainian citizen involvement in the process of reforms that promote the development of civil society and a market-oriented democracy. CURE serves as an informational partner.

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Ukraine, in the framework of its activities, is working to illuminate rules and ethical principles of conducting international business and the development of corporate philanthropy in Ukraine; facilitation of the dialogue among socially responsible business, society and government bodies, rebirth of culture of philanthropy and participation in forming humanitarian policy in Ukraine. The ICC Ukraine serves as an informational partner.

Public relations League of Ukraine-CSR Forum, in the framework of its activities, is working to develop system of communications among socially responsible businesses, to facilitate dialogue between business and government, civil society organizations and media. The Public relations League of Ukraine-CSR Forum serves as an informational partner.

Internews-Ukraine, non-profit organization, which mission is to establish European values in Ukraine through strengthening of successful Media, adds to the alliance by conducting joint trainings and round tables for media and businesses in the topic of ethics and social advertising. Internews-Ukraine also serves as an informational partner.

Successful Communities Institute (SCI), a nonprofit organization with one of its mission tasks as developing leadership and professional skills of communities’ representatives through educational, consultancy and information resources, works with SUAL Holding on implementing corporate and individual philanthropy program in Zaporizhzhya, where SUAL operates.

SUAL Holding, one of the largest aluminium producers in the world, brings to the development of private and corporate philanthropy in Zaporhzhya city extensive experience working to support the development of communities in Russia. This experience has been forming the basis of a new model for the development of corporate and individual philanthropy in regions.