Compassionate Capitalism - January 2004

Business Community Investment Council —

Businesses Working For a Better Community

by Kim Becker

The Business Community Investment Council (BCIC) is a coalition of businesses led by volunteers committed to enhancing the effectiveness of business philanthropy in Southern Nevada. It promotes the open discussion of philanthropic solutions by bringing businesses and service providers together, teaching others the benefits of giving and helping to maximize resources to make Southern Nevada a better place to live.

BCIC was established in 1998 by Robyn Clayton, manager of consumer and community affairs for Southwest Gas Corporation. "When I returned to Las Vegas after working out of market, I realized that I was out of touch. I needed a network of other corporate business givers, but there wasn’t one," said Clayton. "So I borrowed ideas from networks in other cities and decided to see if I could create one here – a network of giving where people could improve the quality of life in our community. I think four people showed up to our first meeting."

Today, some five years and 60 members later, Clayton’s network is making an impact. Members share a core philosophy that businesses and individuals have a responsibility to give back to the community. It demonstrates social responsibility, community support and leading by example.

"The old adage that sometimes you get back more than you give definitely applies in the area of business giving. From customers who will specifically seek your services because you are associated with a good cause, to employees who have a greater sense of satisfaction working for a company that cares, the benefits are truly numerous," said Gina Polovina, vice president of government and community affairs at Boyd Gaming Corporation and chair of BCIC. "Giving programs also connect a company to its community, and the company learns more about where the needs are by dealing directly with charities. In a community of over 1.6 million, there is much existing need and a lot of work to be done to help address these gaps. But, at the end of the day, the most rewarding thing about having a business-giving program is that at least one person benefited from that company’s caring."

BCIC’s diverse membership is a testament to the fact that companies of all sizes in virtually every industry can benefit from a business-giving program. Members include representatives from sole proprietorships and mid-sized firms, as well as some of Southern Nevada’s most recognized corporations. "From the biggest employer to the smallest, members are able to share information in an unfettered environment, helping to elicit ideas that can bring about positive change in our community," said Polovina.

One way BCIC is already bringing about positive change is through its first initiative, Nevada Gives, a cooperative effort between the public, private and non-profit sectors. Nevada Gives is a 3-year grant awarded to BCIC and the Nevada Community Foundation (of which BCIC is a fund) from New Ventures in Philanthropy, an organization based in Washington, D.C. The purpose of the grant is to help businesses and community leaders build, expand and sustain giving initiatives that will improve overall giving in Southern Nevada.

One of the most successful programs offered under the BCIC/Nevada Gives banner is Return On Investment: A Philanthropy Summit. The second annual summit, held last October, successfully attracted an estimated 200 community leaders to discuss a variety of philanthropic topics.

In the first quarter of 2004, BCIC will turn its attention toward developing formalized plans to help shape Nevada Gives into what Polovina hopes will be a permanent entity within Southern Nevada. "It is a community-wide project, and we welcome those who are interested to join us in our efforts," she said.

For additional information about BCIC, call 702-391-BCIC (2242), e-mail info@nevadagives.org, or visit nevadagives.org.