Private Companies

Entrepreneurs Foundation (EF) provides a leveraged opportunity to engage private companies in corporate philanthropy and community involvement programs; regardless of the company's stage of development.  These community benefit programs are customized for each company and are coupled with a variety of network wide initiatives to create both turn-key and tailored corporate programs. Our comprehensive approach to building community involvement and philanthropic programs will ensure that your efforts deliver maximum return to your business and the community. Not only will you develop community partnerships and become a more active member in the community but your company will experience an enhanced corporate culture, improved employee morale, increased employee retention and recruitment.

Generally, engagement begins with a company's commitment to becoming a member of the EF network by earmarking equity for the creation of a corporate foundation. Donating equity is a fantastic way for companies to leverage a valuable resource for philanthropy. For private, venture-backed companies, equity is an asset that can be shared with key stakeholders, including the community. And, since cash is scarce for private companies, creating a corporate foundation with equity prior to an initial public offering or liquidity event is a highly leveraged way to invest in the community. 

Through EF and its affiliates, over 800 private companies have funded their corporate foundations with equity prior to a liquidity event. There is a relatively low cost to the company because the shares are designated for a foundation when the price per share is lower than it would be if the shares are publicly traded. And, the upside for philanthropy is high because the shares will increase in value at IPO. Additionally, if the company chooses to donate equity in the form of a warrant or an option, the company can defer its charitable tax deduction until liquidity, thus benefiting from the timing.

In addition to foundation creation, EF works with companies in the following key areas to develop customized community programs:

• Corporate Giving
• Employee Volunteerism
• Employee Giving
• Corporate Infrastructure
• Business Practices
• Marketing and Communications

For additional information regarding how your company might work with Entrepreneurs Foundation, contact Dipti Pratt.