Companies for Causes (CforC) to Launch on October 27 in D.C. Metro Region

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new season of corporate philanthropy is here. In just three weeks, Companies for Causes (CforC) will launch a groundbreaking campaign aimed at expanding and strengthening corporate philanthropy throughout the Washington Metro region. To kick-off this collaborative campaign, the organizers of CforC will gather hundreds of community-minded CEOs from small to mid-sized, privately-held companies to participate in the inaugural event entitled “The Power of ‘Us’: Taking Corporate Social Responsibility to the Next Level,” held October 27 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center.

“The idea behind Companies for Causes is to motivate regional leaders to be more involved in their communities and to stimulate corporate and individual philanthropy”

Eager to support this new regionally-focused initiative, confirmed honorees Sharon Bulova, Chairman of Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and Isiah Leggett, Montgomery County Executive, will offer remarks at the event which aims to set the stage for cross–sector collaboration by providing a fresh approach to expanding resources and addressing our metropolitan region’s most pressing issues. Invited honorees Vincent Gray, Washington, D.C. City Council Chairman, and Harry Thomas, D.C. Ward 5 Councilmember, have also expressed interest in participating.

This invitation-only event aims to redefine the term “corporate partner” and identify regional companies who want to be more involved in philanthropic endeavors. Attending CEOs will participate in peer exchanges and learn about philanthropic best practices, resources, and tools. A host of CSR leaders such as Mark Kramer of FSG Social Impact and Steve Delfin of America’s Charities will share emerging practices in innovative, results-focused, 21^st century corporate philanthropy. The event is sponsored by CforC members who hope to build a network of like-minded company partners, who want to become more involved in corporate social responsibility, and who want to help shift traditional business philanthropy from good intentions to long-term community change.

“The idea behind Companies for Causes is to motivate regional leaders to be more involved in their communities and to stimulate corporate and individual philanthropy,” said Thomas J. Raffa, CEO of RAFFA, P.C. “Our goal is simple: to pool together our entrepreneurial spirits, apply our resources to our communities and encourage our colleagues and associates to do the same. It is a model that we are confident will work and will serve as inspiration for similar initiatives nationwide.”

Companies for Causes is the brainchild of Thomas Raffa of RAFFA, P.C. The model is being developed in response to like-minded CEOs desire to connect with each other and create a more measurable and sustainable philanthropic impact in their communities. To date, seven companies have pledged a three-year commitment to serving as founding partners for the 2010 campaign; each providing substantial time, talent, and financial support to the endeavor. These companies include RAFFA, P.C., Allison & Partners, Anybill, TerpSys, Geppetto Catering, OmniStudio, and OPX.

“Companies for Causes is the right group at the right time to help strengthen our region’s culture of giving and serving,” said Bruce Adams, Director of Community Partnerships for Montgomery County.

Paul T. Burke, Executive Director, American Psychiatric Foundation, added: “Companies for Causes is an exciting philanthropic movement that will make a difference.”

For more information on CforC, the launch event or its model for giving, please go to www.companiesforcauses.org or call 202-955-7250. You can follow CforC on Twitter (@CforCTweet).

About RAFFA, P.C.

RAFFA helps nonprofit organizations and businesses build capacity and sustain excellence in all areas of their operation. As one of the 100 largest and best managed accounting, consulting, and technology firms in the U.S., RAFFA is committed to developing innovative corporate community involvement strategies that strengthen our nonprofit sector and incite and empower the public, private, and nonprofit sector to form lasting partnerships that will cause positive, systemic change in our communities! For more information, visit www.raffa.com