Members
The following are current members of the Corporate Committee. If you are interested in joining this committee, contact Margo Gray.

James Epstein-Reeves, co-chair, OfficeMax
Annika Little , co-chair, Bank of America Charitable Foundation

Catherine Brown, McCormick Tribune Foundation
Bradford L. Ballast, Harris Bank Foundation
Catherine Brown, McCormick Foundation
Julian E. Brown, Nicor Gas
Amina Dickerson, Kraft Foods, Inc.
Frances R. Grossman, ShoreBank
Cheryl Lamm, McMaster-Carr Supply Company
Heather Loebner, ArcelorMittal
Mary Ann Mallahan, Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Catherine O'Brien, Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Celene Peurye, The Baxter International Foundation
Shelley Stern, Microsoft Corporation
Richard Turner, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas Corporate Contributions
Jan Ellen Woelffer, Chicago Tribune Foundation

NEW - Donors Forum's Corporate Committee E-Forum
This electronic discussion forum is a new vehicle for Donors Forum's Corporate Committee Members to pose questions and share resources with colleagues in real time.
Join the Corporate Committee E-Forum, get instructions, and read FAQs.

Upcoming Programs

New Networking and Discussion Option for Corporate Grantmakers!
Corporate Committee "Working Breakfast" | REGISTER
Tuesday, October 7 | Bank of America, 135 S. LaSalle St., 43rd Floor, Chicago | 8 - 9:30 am (discussion begins at 8 am; light breakfast will be provided)
At its summer planning retreat, members of Donors Forum's Corporate Committee welcomed the opportunity to convene for informal discussions on challenges encountered in their daily work. Brief "Working Breakfast" meetings will provide an open forum to share expertise, seek counsel among peers, and identify resources to support your leadership. Join your colleagues in corporate philanthropy for this first "Working Breakfast" to share your challenges and solutions. Among the many topics raised at the planning meeting, two have been selected as the focus for the first hour of this session's discussion: corporate social responsibility, and diversity and inclusion. Time will also be reserved for an open forum on any topic you bring to the table for discussion at the meeting or at a future session. Resource materials on CSR and diversity will be provided. Bring a grantmaking colleague who is not a member of Donors Forum to join in this conversation! Please email Robin Berkson to provide non-member registration information or with any questions. Pre-registration is required for building security.

Corporate Committee Chicago 2016 Olympic Bid | REGISTER
Tuesday, October 28 | Deloitte, 111 S. Wacker Drive, 15th Floor, Chicago | 8:30 - 10:30 am (8 am networking and continental breakfast)
This will be a unique opportunity for Donors Forum's Corporate Committee members to get inside access to Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympic Games with members of the bid's Board of Directors, including co-chair of the 2016 Olympic Development Committee and vice chairman and Midwest regional managing partner of Deloitte LLP, Deborah DeHaas. She and others will give us an overview of the Olympic movement, take us through the bid process and identify Chicago's winning themes. We will hear how leading Chicago companies are positioning Chicago as a strong applicant to host the 2016 Games while also making a difference in the community. With recent developments including Chicago's selection as a final four candidate city and the Chicago 2016 delegates' experience at the Beijing Olympics, this session will provide personal insight into Chicago's bid.

Program Archives
The notes from previous programs contain valuable knowledge and information on topics of interest to corporate foundations and giving programs.

2008 Summer Retreat
The group planned four sessions for the coming year: "Chicago's Olympic Effort and Its Impact on Philanthropy and the Nonprofit Sector," "Greening Initiatives and Corporate Philanthropy," "Best Practices in Pro Bono Activities," and "Corporate Social Responsibility." Brad Ballast and Shelley Stern completed their service as co-chair, and James Epstein-Reeves and Annika Little were welcomed as new co-chairs.

Resources

NEW! The State of Corporate Philanthropy: A McKinsey Global Survey (requires free registration)
Consumers growing expectations of companies make corporate philanthropy more important than ever. But, many respondents to this survey say that their companies aren't meeting social goals or stakeholder expectations very effectively. Companies that are doing well are taking a more strategic approach.

Cone Current Happenings
Discusses how Americans are scrutinizing business practices in deciding what to buy, and explores the growing employee demand for companies to support social issues.

Corporate Currents
Corporate Currents is an issue paper providing an in-depth look at a single topic of interest to corporate members. Issued periodically, each paper contains media views, expert analysis, voices from the field and thought-provoking questions.

Corporate Grantmakers Survey (pdf, 03/03)
The Donors Forum released the results of its 2003 Corporate Grantmakers Survey in March. The survey tracks current trends in corporate giving in Chicago.

Giving Guide for Small and Mid-Sized Companies
Produced by the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, this guide offers a framework for developing a giving program that will be beneficial to you, your employees, and your community, helping you decide where to give, what to give and how to give wisely

National Philanthropy Benchmark Study (pdf, 5/02)
According to research sponsored by the Council on Foundations, favorable perceptions of a company's philanthropy are a significant factor in driving the behavioral loyalty of its shareholders, employees and customers.

Corporate Committee Program Archives
Notes containing valuable knowledge and information shared at previous programs and meetings of this group.