Philanthropy in the DNA of companies: more investment and focus on social issues
According to the latest report by Dynamo Academy with the scientific collaboration of Sda Bocconi, Italian companies allocate over 853 million euro a year to the community and the territory (+22% over 2022). The average donation exceeds five million
Key points
- The S of the Esg
- More benefits also inside
- Stakeholder participation
Philanthropy enters the DNA of companies and consolidates by becoming part of the management cycle. It is the result of a maturing process of the phenomenon that has borne fruit over the years. The most evident can be seen in the growth in the value of investments.
As reported by the research "Corporate social investment & Esg 2024" promoted by Dynamo Academy with the scientific collaboration of the Sustainability lab of Sda Bocconi School of management, the total investments of Italian companies on "Community and territory" amounted to 853.47 million, with an increase of 22% compared to the previous fiscal year and an average annual growth rate of 16% compared to 2021. The growth also concerned the average investment per company - which rose from 4.2 million in 2022 to 5.7 million - and the sample analysed, which from about 100 companies in 2018 now numbers 215.
The S of Esg
The evolution of the trend is not only quantitative but also qualitative because there is a growing focus on the S of the Esg, i.e. the social aspect.
for at least a year and a half," explains Serena Porcari, president and CEO of Dynamo Academy, a social enterprise that accompanies young people, managers and businesses on the path to social innovation and sustainability, "there has been greater attention to communities and territories, places where the social work of Third Sector organisations is developed. 86% of the sample companies (medium-large companies, mainly listed, with a turnover of over 50 million euro in 99% of cases) consider the community and the territory as real stakeholders of reference, and 50% have actively involved their representatives in actions to support the development of the territory. Investments have involved sponsorships, donations, and the provision of financial support to the local community.
More benefits inside too
Attention to social issues also brings benefits within the company. "Our Dynamo Academy observatory," adds Porcari, "which hosts 130 client companies, many of which participate with their own employees, gives us a realistic snapshot of the value of this commitment for workers. It increases their motivation towards the workplace and also the involvement of young people. This is a fundamental element today, because it is precisely the new generations that are asking companies to give back to the community. Then, of course, there are more direct benefits, such as the integrated welfare of the most enlightened companies, which take on not only the employee but the entire family".
