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V O L . X X I V N O. X X I In 2017, the committee awarded a total of $5,300 to three organizations: Bring the Arts Back to the Grange, a group restoring the Freeport Grange Hall as a cultural center; the Maine Storytelling Muster Outreach, which promotes and teaches storytelling as an art; and Make Music Day Portland, a summer festival of free concerts, instru- ment lessons and jam sessions. From the start, company found- ers Mary Allen Lindemann and Alan Spear saw the fund as a response to a community need. Despite the economic boom of the late '90s, many Portland artists were losing fi nancial support and other resources. " e Rebel Blend Fund began because of these voices not heard," says Lindemann. "It was about how can we come together to give voice to those who don't have it." Like the grants at Allagash, Rebel Blend Fund grants are made on broad criteria. e fund committee "looks for projects which somehow fall below the funding radar screen," accord- ing to the CBD website, and requires recipients to use the grants within Maine. But otherwise, the committee has wide discretion. Like their counterparts at Allagash, the CBD committee is diligent about its role, according to Lindemann. " ere's a lot of conversation, reading and note-taking," she says. " e com- mittee feels it's making investments on behalf of our customers." And like Benthien at Allagash, Lindemann has no vote in the fund- ing decisions. But she says she some- times meets with the committee and provides perspective on how its grant awards complement other forms of CBD giving and philanthropy from other local sources. Last year, the company's chari- table totaled "well into six fi gures," Lindemann says. In addition to the arts, CBD devotes much of its philanthropy to nonprofi ts bringing about needed social change, such as the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project in Portland. Reasons to give While employee participation in giv- ing is important, focusing that gen- erosity is also essential, according to Lindemann. She urges businesses not to spread their resources thinly. "What are you passionate about? Find that one thing or two, give what- ever amount is signifi cant for you, and grow from there," she says. "If you don't really believe in it, your support will be hollow." at's sound advice, according to Donna Betts, a Scarborough-based con- sultant who advises businesses on how to maximize the impact of their giving. "When I work with a client, we often brainstorm about what touches their heart," she says. "It begins with that per- sonal connection." Betts worked as a fundraising pro- fessional for over 16 years before launch- ing her consulting practice, Give With Purpose, in early 2018. Her clients have included a real estate group, a website design fi rm, a fi tness center and other small and mid-size companies. She believes a company's philan- thropy program should be as distinct as its culture. Besides focusing on a passion or a heartfelt need, corporate giving decisions should weigh factors l budget, staff resources and a desired perception of the philanthropy. "Giving money away is really part of your marketing budget," Betts says. "People want to do business with people who support the community." Research bears her out. A 2017 study by Cone Communi- cations, a Boston public relations fi rm, found that 70% of Americans believe companies have an obligation to take action on issues and social needs out- side their everyday business. And 87% would purchase a company's product because the company acted on issues they care about. Employees also want to join such companies. In fact, another Cone study found that 58% of Americans consider a company's commitment to social and environmental causes when deciding where to work. More and more, employees expect to shape that commitment. "Businesses have begun to recognize the importance of personalizing their corporate giving strategies; in other words, ensuring their employees have a voice in the process," writes nation- ally known consultant Lori Munoz Malcolm in a recent blog. " ese days, companies are also encouraged to include staff in larger philanthropic decision-making, such as votes or discussions on where large corporate donation will go this year, and opening the fl oor to employee sugges- tions for new and unique fundraising." Betts says, " e more progressive companies really want employees to be part of their giving, really understand how important that is today, especially for millennials." But she notes that not every business is ready to turn over major philanthropy decisions to junior staff . And that's OK. " ere's really no right or wrong way to give," she says. "It boils down to one thing: Philanthropy is good for business." W H, a correspondent for Mainebiz, can be reached at @ . » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E What are you passionate about? Find that one What are you passionate about? Find that one What are you passionate about? Find that one What are you passionate about? Find that one What are you passionate about? Find that one What are you passionate about? Find that one What are you passionate about? Find that one What are you passionate about? Find that one What are you passionate about? Find that one What are you passionate about? Find that one What are you passionate about? Find that one What are you passionate about? Find that one What are you passionate about? Find that one What are you passionate about? Find that one thing or two, give whatever amount is significant thing or two, give whatever amount is significant thing or two, give whatever amount is significant thing or two, give whatever amount is significant thing or two, give whatever amount is significant thing or two, give whatever amount is significant thing or two, give whatever amount is significant thing or two, give whatever amount is significant thing or two, give whatever amount is significant thing or two, give whatever amount is significant thing or two, give whatever amount is significant thing or two, give whatever amount is significant thing or two, give whatever amount is significant for you, and grow from there. If you don't really believe in it, your support will be hollow. — Mary Allen Lindemann, Coffee By Design P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y C O F F E E B Y D E S I G N G I V I N G G U I D E 2 0 1 8 – 2 0 1 9 8 Mary Allen Lindemann, co- founder of Coffee By Design, started the Rebel Blend Fund to provide grants to Maine artists and small arts groups.

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