Ethical Dilemma #7: Should companies give to charity?
WEEK 7: BANKS AND CHARITIES
Canadian banks are Canada's largest corporate taxpayers and largest corporate donors. According to the Canadian Bankers Association, in 2007, seven of Canada's Schedule 1 banks donated $197 million to charities in Canada and around the world. These contributions support education, youth, and health care. The banks also support amateur athletes, the arts and community events. For example, the Bank of Montreal is the principal sponsor of Skate Canada and is a founding sponsor of the Kids Help Phone.
Because banks are the largest taxpayers in Canada, their profits help build roads, schools, hospitals and many other governmental activities. In addition, banks are also committed to helping the environment.
Resources
www.cba.ca/banks-rally-to-support-red-cross-new-brunswick-flood-relief
Do you think that companies should give money to charities? Why or Why Not?
Do you think that companies should be obliged to be front-runners in helping the environment? Why or Why Not?
Companies should give to charity because they rely on a positive reputation to be able to sell their products. Companies must be front-runners in doing the right thing for the environment because they often need materials, some of which damage the environment, for their business. For example, an oil company must alter the environment to get oil to sell and may want to donate to a charity that reclaims land back to it’s natural state. Fishing companies must catch a bunch of fish to sell so they may want to donate to a charity that stocks minnows or feeds people with no food. Car companies have cars that emit pollution into the air so they may want to donate to a charity that reduces air pollution. I believe that companies should be replenishing and improving the parts of the environment that they destroy. Starbucks for example is taking coffee beans faster than they can naturally grow so Starbucks has a goal to plant 2 million coffee plants to fix their damage and they also have a goal to hire 10,000 refugees which is also charitable and helps their public reputation.
ReplyDeleteI agree that giving to charity is influenced by the benefits of it but i think the most important reason to give is to be ind or charitable.
DeleteI think that what you said about how for the companies and businesses to date money to charity they would in turn have to damage the environment more really interesting and a good point.
DeleteIn my opinion, I feel businesses that can afford offering donations very much should. An even better idea is businesses coming together to support a charity, for example, when 10 banks came together to support the Canadian Red Cross and giving corporate contributions up to $100,000 to help with the terrible flood which effected so many in New Brunswick. All these businesses came together and supported these people helping thousands and all businesses should part take in this.
ReplyDeleteI believe that not all companies need to be front-runner although some should, I feel if most companies go out of there way to recycle, use renewable energy if possible and overall reduce there huge carbon foot-prints it could very much help the situation and potentially be good for their businesses after the population sees what measures they are taking to go green.
I agree with you carter on your point and think that company should try a lot harder to reduce their carbon footprint
DeleteCarter, I think you brought up a really good point. Especially that not all companies can afford to donate to charity. It's unfair to expect a newly opened small business to donate what little profit they're getting.
DeleteCarter, your idea that business should come together to support a charity is brilliant and I fully agree with it. For example, a company that owns shipping boats could work with a food company and they could both ship food to countries that need it.
DeleteI agree, not all companies should be front runners although some should look into it. I also feel that like what you said a lot of companies already go out of their way to try and stay sustainable.
DeleteI think companies should give to Charity because it is mostly a win-win situation because it helps the charity become more known and will receive more donations from the people that find the charity, the company for example will have special events and sell their products at a discounted price and will normally give the proceeds to the charity. For example Tim Horton's does their camp day once a year and the proceeds go to kids that cannot afford to go to camp.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to add that companies have to be genuine with the donation or they will receive a lot of backlash from social media and customers, they also have to make sure the charity is ethical and a good match for their company.
DeleteI agree Matthew, companies' special events can help them boost sales. Even with a portion of the profit going to charity, the business will make more money.
DeleteI agree that companies should give to charity because they not only help people that need it but they also boost sales
DeleteI agree, it can really affect a companies look and can even effect there business, I thought this was a very good point.
DeleteMatthew, though I do agree that companies should give to charity, I believe that brand new businesses that can’t afford to donate to charity shouldn’t have to. Maybe they could get a tax break by giving a little bit to charity instead of paying taxes.
DeleteI believe businesses should give to charity because it's not only ethical, but beneficial for the company to do so. Donating to charity boosts a company's reputation and can be used as another form of advertisement. A handful of the largest businesses hold a large portion of the world's wealth, so they can afford (and have a moral obligation) to use at least some of that money to help others.
ReplyDeleteWhile all businesses should do whatever they can to lessen their environmental impact, I believe that the larger a company is, the higher their responsibility. This is simply because it's proven that many of the biggest companies are massive contributors to climate change and pollution. Pertaining to the last topic, it may be a good idea for companies to donate to environmentally based charities. I think the government should really be the front-runners of environmental protection, instead of hoping businesses will all be perfectly ethical and eco-friendly.
I agree, it's beneficial and ethical for the company to donate it also gives the company a good reputation towards helping people.
DeleteI agree with you that the government should be the front runners.
DeleteIt's cam ^
DeleteI agree, it's beneficial for both sides, the company and charity. While the company receives positive rep, the charity receives the donations to help those in need.
DeleteI think companies should give to charities because if charities don’t get the money they need to do research to make discoveries and find ways to cure diseases but also to help people that are in trouble for example: a hurricane or a natural disaster just hit them and they are having a hard time getting back on there feet and with donations from people to charities than those charities can help those people get back on their feet or help them get back on their feet. Also, companies make a lot of money so they can give a big donation that can really help the charities. I think that companies should be the front-runners in helping the environment because they have such a big influence on people (due to the fact they are selling things to people) and if the message was coming from they might listen instead it coming from someone else like an expert on the problem.
ReplyDeleteI agree although I don't think companies should be obliged to be front runners because then when donations are made it's only because the companies have to not because they care.
Deleteits cam ^
DeleteIt's cam,
ReplyDeleteCompanies should give to charities because It's ethical. Helping others is something people have done forever and companies with lots of money have the ability to help out and give to charities. Charities help the environment, animals, people, and cure diseases. Even though donating is a very good thing to do, I do not think companies should be obliged to donate because it's just not right. It's their choice whether they'd like to donate, and if you make it illegal for them not to then it's not as special when donations are made. I think it's personal choice and I definitely admire the companies that donate!
I agree with you Cam. Donations should not be obliged.
DeleteI agree that it should be not be obliged for companies to give to charity.
DeleteI agree with you Cam, it should not be obliged although companies should be encouraged to give donations to help our communities.
DeleteI agree with you in that obligations make thing seem less meaningful.
DeleteI believe that companies should give to charity because it is ethical. First, in the public eye the company would look good and it's reputation will go up. Second, the company is not best at determining how to help people so the next best thing is to donate to charity who are in tune to those who cannot help themselves. I believe also that companies should be front runners in helping the environment, individuals with the most money have the most power. If they own a company, they have many resources across the country, if they try to help the environment, a lot of places will benefit.
ReplyDeleteI think it is important for people in general to give to charity. we need to look out for others and help each other. It should be part of being human to help others and not to focus on money. A while ago we as humans helped each other to prosper before money came to be then we created currency which was used to trade. Money now is used to show worth and success, but it doesn't need to. Money is a tool it matters what you do with it not how much you have. Companies should give to charity because it helps others not to gain fame. So yes I think companies should give to charities, but i also think people in general should work to help others.
ReplyDelete-Devon Hansen
I second this Devon, money should not be the only donations. The aid does not always have to be donations. Any act of kindness goes a long way.
DeleteI agree with you Devon. Companies of course will be respected for donating to charities but this should not be an expectation, we shouldn't ask for more from certain people just because they are "public figure" or for their wealthiness. It is a personal choice but it is also a good moral character that everyone should have.
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ReplyDeleteI think that companies should give to charities. I don’t think that this always needs to be financial donations. How are we sure that all of the money is used at the charity? My dad says that at least 20% of financial donations are split between members of the charity. I do believe that companies should be obliged to help the environment. Most of the damage is done by companies. These companies should show some form of aid. This could be packaging differently or a monthly tax. I believe that the company should be charged if they’re involved in deforestation/pollution. If these companies lose money when they damage the planet, they would try to reduce the amount of damage.
ReplyDeleteI think that it should be a companies decision to donate to charity, but not only companies but people in general should try to give a little to charity or do social service once in a while. Giving charity helps companies because they can do events about it and have discounts so they boost sales and get a little profit from it and still give a lot to charity, it also gives the company a great reputation but is not about getting a good reputation is about helping people that really need it and some companies donate to charity just for the reputation and in my opinion that is not why they should do it, they should do it to help people.
ReplyDeleteI believe that it should be optional for companies to give to charity because is not there obligation to take care of other people but they should still try to give to charity because they help people that are in economic problems and also it's well seen when a company gives to charity.
That's a very good point Gonzalo, I also agree that company's intention for charities should be for the people instead of their reputation. In my opinion, a good intention or a good ethical value would usually lead to good reputation, like Amazon, Costco and Target.
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ReplyDeleteI believe companies should donate a small percentage of their profits to charity but only when the company reaches a certain size or amount of income. As I feel that the last thing small new companies want is to have to give away parts of their already small income. But I do feel that large companies should donate small percentages to a charitable organisation of there choice this is because as the cost of living goes less and less people donate to charities regularly or annually.
I think It would be a good idea for some companies to start researching and developing new ways of helping the environment, even though some businesses and organisations may be further ahead of them in the process it would still be good for people who are thinking of starting a new business or store, to reconsider their options about how they may build or run their business. This is because it shows their customers a good side to their company and will attract business for them as well as doing something good for the environment.
I think companies with certain economic capabilities should be stronger encouraged to charities, it’s not a good way give back to the community, but also a great way to increase their good reputations. A company’s growth highly rely on their customers, every step of their growth comes from the trust and support from their customers, hence it is important for the company to be grateful, and give back to the community when the have the ability to, that way, the customers would more likely to stick with the company not just for their wants and needs, but also the ethical values of the company.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think that all companies should be obliged to be front-runners in helping the environment. I thinking everyone should be helping the environment, and it isn’t fair to ask certain people to care more than others just because their job or social influence. Although I do believe that companies should be more cautious about the environment when producing their products and services because industrial pollution is a major pollution for our environment.
i think it is a choose on how the compony wants to present itself and how they are managing, most of the time you dont think of the compony giving to charity but maybe its ceo or someone who works for them and represent them. it should be something that they get judged for though because if a compony doesn't want to thats up to them and we cant frown upon them for that choose. it would help lots of charities to have bigger amounts but if everyone who worked for the company donated it would have the same effect.
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