One Hundred Companies That Care

Most people think bankers only care about dollars and cents, profitability and KPIs. And you know what? They’re probably right in a lot of cases, but not all bankers are created equal.?

It’s true that most of my days are spent working within the intricacies of finance, but a big part of who I am is more than that. In fact, while I went to school to study finance, I also studied psychology because I like understanding and engaging with people. For me, being involved in the community around me is important, and the same is true for more professionals and businesses than you might realize.

Let me introduce you to 100 Companies That Care , an organization that connects businesses to nonprofits in an effort to maximize corporate giving within the communities of Orange County, California. Two of my friends, Will Tober and Tyler Mounce , created 100 Companies That Care because they believe every business has a role to play in giving back.

I got involved because I recognized how easy it is for bankers to become singularly focused on profit and get lost in the numbers. We can quickly forget that behind those numbers are people, neighborhoods, businesses, and communities. We can easily miss what’s going on around us outside the financial world.

I wanted a way to pull myself out of that tendency, but I didn’t start with 100 CTC right away. I started by attending a few big gallas for nonprofits in my area. It didn’t take long, however, before I realized these events weren’t working for me. I know big fundraisers are important for nonprofits, but I found myself getting lost in the crowd, mingling but not really finding a way to plug in and start making a difference.

Once I discovered that Will and Tyler were working on something different, I was eager to give it a shot. Their model gives each nonprofit a chance to be in the spotlight to advocate for who it supports and what it does in the community. I’ve found that this approach offers a more intimate way to connect with nonprofits in my area.?

Here’s how it works: Every quarter, the member companies select three nonprofits to present their needs to a room filled with business leaders. The member companies then choose one nonprofit to receive a majority grant while the other two get minority grants. Perhaps more importantly, the people in that room sometimes have an idea or a connection that helps the money do more than expected.

Such was the case for Lot 319, a Placentia-based nonprofit that serves underprivileged kids through an afterschool program. The building they were leasing was no longer going to be available, so they presented to 100 CTC a plan to purchase the building. Members voted and awarded them the majority grant, but it got even better from there.

One of our member companies is a flooring business that had a surplus of high-quality carpeting left over from another project. This business generously offered to re-carpet the entire building for free. Lot 319 got the building and an upgraded space for the kids. This all came through being intentional and connecting with people.

If your business is in the Orange County area, come learn more about 100 Companies That Care . Our next event is this Thursday, May 16. Feel free to reach out to me, Will Tober , or Tyler Mounce for more information. If you are interested in membership, you can apply here .

And if you’re not in the OC, I encourage you to look around for ways you can give back locally. It will be valuable for your business and your community in more ways than you can imagine.