Worcester Business Journal

6 Giving Guide 2024 Worcester Business Journal www.wbjournal.com With 11 tenants who share the build- ing along with Davis Publications, Wade said his team wanted to create a space for nonprofit and cultural organi- zations to do work essential to the city's vitality. "We've been involved in the down- town landscape for a long time, and we're a part of the community," said Wade. Davis Publications, which pub- lishes art education textbooks and resources for K-12 teachers, took full ownership of the now century-old building in 2000 and completed a five- year historical renovation in 2019. This leasing strategy is just one facet of Davis' larger corporate giving strate- gy, which is essential to the publisher's identity as a business and employer. While not a nonprofit, Wade quipped he has plenty of experience in less-than-profitable seasons as a small publishing company in an industry dominated by giant publishing houses. That humility creates a philanthropic bent. A charitable trust established by Wade's grandfather and great uncle 30 years ago is an ongoing source of giv- ing, and Davis Publications is an active nonprofit supporter on multiple fronts. But Wade insisted supporting nonprof- its in Greater Worcester is a key ingre- dient in building a workplace that peo- ple want to stick with. "This is a part of showing your cor- porate conscience," Wade said. GEN Z AND MILLENNIAL WORKERS DRIVEN BY IDEALS Data show such displays aren't optional. According to a 2024 Deloitte survey of Gen Z and Millennial work- ers, the values a company demonstrates drive career choices of these up-and-coming professionals. Nearly half of Gen Z respondents turned down a job based on their per- sonal beliefs and ethics- 54% say they and their colleagues are putting pressure on employers to take action on climate change, and three-quarters of Gen Z and Millenials workers said a compa- ny's community engagement and social impact was a deciding factor in accepting a position. Mary Skelton Roberts, CEO of the state's leading philanthropy association I n the historic Printer's Building owned by Davis Publications on Portland Street in Worcester, nonprofit tenants have found an affordable place to call home. Granting stable leases that aren't renegotiated each year, Davis President and Publisher Julian Davis Wade said supporting nonprofit organizations is part of the ethos of the fifth-generation family business. continues on page 8 Corporate giving Why it's vital and how to tackle it as a smaller employer Mary Skelton Roberts, Philanthropy Massachusetts Julian Davis Wade, President and Publisher, Davis Publications P H O T O / M AT T W R I G H T BY EMILY MICUCCI | Giving Guide Editor

• Cover