Focusing mainly on education and health, its Innovations Grants Program provides funding for a range of projects, including after-school literacy classes. Popular attitudes and policies on philanthropy are changing for several reasons. Philanthropic partnerships, for one, can create win-win situations. Nowhere is this more apparent than in attempts to bridge the digital divide. These people may go on to purchase items from online companies or subscribe to an Internet service provider.
Corporate philanthropy can entail future profit.
Second, NGOs and governments are realising that private sector involvement goes a long way in sharing the burden of responsibility for a project. Ultimately, more players should mean more money, greater expertise and, should governments come on board, an increased ability to navigate complex regulation. Third, involvement in corporate philanthropy can also motivate staff. Employees want to feel part of a company that is not just aware of its social responsibilities but is fulfilling them as well. The establishment of giving circles, where employees pool resources and exchange ideas on philanthropy, is an acknowledgement by AOL Time Warner that increased employee involvement in philanthropic decision-making improves staff motivation.