In a recent webinar hosted by Nareit, experts discussed the evolving role of corporate philanthropy in increasing employee engagement and retention and responding to social needs and gaps in the market, community, and industry.
The conversation was moderated by Ayris T. Scales, SVP of social responsibility and global initiatives at Nareit, and featured insights from a panel of leading experts: Amy D'Olimpio, senior vice president, human resources at Regency Centers (Nasdaq: REG); Amy Hamstead, vice president, corporate communications and social responsibility at Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (Nasdaq: HST); Marlissa Hudson, CEO of English Hudson Consulting; and Paige Rodgers, director of the Equinix Foundation.
The webinar drilled down into how strategic giving can align with business objectives. In her introduction, Scales emphasized: “Businesses can be both profitable and purposeful.”
Rodgers shared her focus on “digital inclusion and equity,” noting the Equinix Foundation’s $50 million endowment to support grants and employee programs. “Employees are really at the center of this work,” she said.
D'Olimpio described a more employee-centric approach, explaining that although Regency Centers doesn’t have or use a foundation model, their efforts are employee-driven and rooted in community service. “We really do have an employee-first approach,” she said, highlighting matching gifts, paid volunteer time off, and an internal vetting process to choose nonprofits for funding.
Hudson advised companies to “start with your why,” and said she appreciated how the other panelists were noting that their employees were very engaged in philanthropy decision making. “If you want it sustainable, you have to have the folks who are working for you care about the work,” she said.
Hudson also compared corporate foundations to donor-advised funds. “A foundation is purchasing a house; a DAF is more like renting a condo,” she added.
Hamstead also said that Host’s “epic values” of excellence, partnership, integrity, and community guide everything the company does.
Rodgers shared how the Equinix Foundation uses its ecosystem of customers and partners to identify aligned nonprofits, focusing on digital equity. She highlighted employee referrals as vital, saying they “bring opportunities our way that we never heard about.” D'Olimpio echoed this, noting how alignment with company values and employee involvement makes decisions easier.
Hamstead outlined donation categories—education and youth empowerment, environment, health and well-being, and human welfare—and detailed an innovative program donating 16,000+ hotel furniture pieces to nonprofits like A Wider Circle. All panelists agreed that integrating financial, volunteer, and in-kind support creates deeper, more effective partnerships.
The speakers also discussed scaling social impact efforts, managing nonprofit portfolios, and measuring success. Hamstead described the Circle Essential Support program, which donates furniture to families and organizations like Habitat for Humanity and aims to donate 6,000 more rooms by 2026.
Scales discussed going broad or deep with partnerships, admitting, “It’s hard to say no.” Hudson emphasized aligning efforts with a “north star”: “Ultimately…everyone who takes us on is trying to fix something.”
Rodgers detailed a three-tier funding model at the Equinix Foundation and stressed the value of “multiple champions” within companies. D'Olimpio also shared that impact is best measured by employee engagement, adding that Regency Centers includes its values in employee annual reviews.
To watch the webinar on-demand, please register here.