Cox Enterprises expands partnership with Girls Inc.

• Published date: 01 June 2020
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1002/nba.30775
• Date: 01 June 2020

JUNE 2020 NONPROFIT BUSINESS ADVISOR

5

© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC, A Wiley Company • All rights reserved

DOI: 10.1002/nba

Industry News

Cox Enterprises expands partnership with Girls Inc.

While responses to the COVID-19 crisis have

gotten most of the media’s spotlight in recent weeks,

an announcement from Cox Enterprises, the parent

company of cable broadcasting rm Cox Communi-

cations, may have gone unnoticed. But the company

has committed to a nationwide expansion of its part-

nership with Girls Inc., a national nonprot focused

on empowering girls to be “Strong, Smart, and Bold”

through direct service and advocacy.

Cox has been supporting Girls Inc. in a variety

of ways—mostly in the Atlanta region—for more

than a decade. Its workers volunteer and mentor

at local Girls Inc. chapters across the country,

and Cox sponsors the Atlanta chapter of Girls

Inc.’s annual fundraiser and hosts its Business and

Entrepreneurship Week Marketplace Day—a pro-

gram where girls learn about branding businesses,

creating budgets and executing marketing plans,

and then sell their goods at an artists’ market in

Atlanta’s Central Park.

Nonprot Business Advisor recently spoke with

Brien Faucett, manager of corporate social re-

sponsibility, corporate giving and public affairs at

Cox, about the program expansion, which include

additional support for Girls Inc.’s college and career

readiness and science, technology, engineering, the

arts and mathematics programming in particular—

two areas Cox says aligns most with its corporate

values.

Q: Girls Inc. works to bolster opportunities for

girls in school and life. How does this mission align

with Cox’s corporate social responsibility strategy

and goals?

A: At Cox Enterprises, we aim to empower the next

generation of STEAM leaders with diverse skills, the

gift of curiosity and innovation, and a passion for

exploration and growth that will make our world a

better place. We recognize that hardworking individ-

uals often need support to build the skills necessary

for a sustainable future. Cox focuses efforts on pro-

moting self-sufciency through community-based

organizations that align with the educational values

of STEAM.

Q: Why did the company decide to expand on its

support?

A: Our decision to expand our partnership to

the national level came out of our love for the

organization in Atlanta (our headquarters) and

the engagement we’ve seen from other leaders and

employees in our markets. We believe in the organi-

zation’s mission and are inspired by the impact data

showing the difference Girls Inc. makes in the lives

of these girls.

Q: What are the new ways in which Cox will support

the organization?

A: Through this new national partnership, Cox

is supporting Girls Inc. with a combination of cash

sponsorship, employee volunteerism throughout

our footprint and in-kind media (public service an-

nouncements through Cox Communications).

Q: In terms of logistics, was Cox approached

about expanding its support by a rep from Girls Inc.

or did Cox come up with this on its own and approach

Girls Inc.?

A: At Cox, we review what employees are engaged

with at a local level, what success stories we have to

tell and what partnerships could be replicated at a

larger national level. Our goal is to provide the op-

portunity to grow involvement that crosses all busi-

nesses and markets. Girls Inc. was an organization

where we knew of at least three markets that were

already engaged, either with volunteerism, board

work or local charitable donations. Each of those

markets had very positive experiences, so our Cox

CSR team thought that this partnership could be a

good t and reached out to the national Girls Inc.

ofce.

Q: Are there any ways in which Cox will have to

change its processes or strategies in order to ensure a

successful outcome for this partnership?

A: This is the start of a larger effort within Cox

to expand upon proven local partnerships and think

more nationally in scope. We are working with key

partners to engage more employees and the commu-

nities we serve in order to make a greater impact in

our strategic areas (environment and STEAM).

Q: What lessons could Cox or Girls Inc. offer for

other organizations looking to this as an example of a

good corporate/charitable partnership?

A: Know your business needs and why you are

working towards a partnership, understand what

(See PARTNERSHIP on page 8)