Companies for Causes is a generative effort that seeks to bring together like-minded businesses for the purpose of creating long-term change in Washington, D.C. communities, including Virginia and Maryland. By bringing together these businesses, they are able to partner with one another in their philanthropic as well as entrepreneurial endeavors while leveraging these efforts on behalf of others. Member companies are:

• Medium-sized;
• Share an interest in improving DC area communities;
• Entrepreneurial; and
• Values-driven rather than dollar driven.

Through the Companies for Causes forum, these companies are able to find each other and by working together in one accord, they define a new way to do business. Through peer learning exchanges, shared resources and tools, and the ensuing network, members increase their understanding of philanthropy, expand the breadth and depth of their own networks, and maximize the value and impact of their business on those around them. Generating a collective body of knowledge about corporate social responsibility, creating a collective bank professional service hours and dollars, and influencing the practices of other companies are all a part of Companies for Causes approach to shifting business philanthropy from good intentions to long-term community change. Although we have just begun, we believe that changes in member company values and culture as well as in our regional communities and nonprofits will ultimately indicate our success in reaching this goal.