social_responsibilityNonprofits and their adoption of social media has created an interesting, albeit interdependent relationship with large companies like Google, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr. Nonprofits use the sites to build their online brand and supporter base, and the companies in turn then benefit from having tens of thousands respectable, well-known nonprofits promoting their sites and tools to millions of supporters (a.k.a. potential consumers). For the companies themselves, this relationship also presents their marketing departments with numerous opportunities to embrace cause marketing and corporate social responsibility.

That said, I did a little research into some of the most popular social networking sites/companies used by nonprofits to see what kind of philanthropic and socially responsible programs the companies offered to nonprofits. I was very glad to see that every company listed below is doing some good for nonprofits and social causes:

1) Facebook

Facebook helped launch the company Causes to help nonprofits fundraise on Facebook. They also launched two Facebook Pages to help promote nonprofits and social causes: Facebook for Good and Non-Profits on Facebook. They also offer a tech-centric Facebook Fellowship Program for Ph.D. students.

2) Google/YouTube

Google donated $1,000,000 to Haiti. They also offer free advertising to nonprofits through their Google Grants Program. They also have an extensive list of free or low-cost services for nonprofits and universities through their “Technology-Driven Philanthropy” campaigns. A complete list of the services can be found at Google.org.

As the owners of YouTube, the company also offers a YouTube Nonprofit Program, and launched the YouTube channels Agent Change and Video Volunteers.

3) LinkedIn

LinkedIn launched LinkedIn for Good, but they only partnered with 10 organizations and are not accepting new partners. The program appears to be on hold.

4) MySpace

MySpace launched MySpace Impact Awards. Each month MySpace users voted for their favorite nonprofit. The winner won $10,000.  They also created an Impact Channel. MySpace has unfortunately abandoned both programs. Very few nonprofits utilize MySpace anymore.

5) Twitter

Twitter launched Hope140.org to help raise funds for Haiti and to end malaria. They also offer a Tweet for Good program where nonprofits can request free advertising through their Promoted Tweets program. Twitter also has a Charity Suggested User List.

6) Yahoo!/Flickr

Yahoo! supports nonprofits in many ways through their Yahoo! for Good program. Owned by Yahoo!, Flickr partnered with TechSoup in 2008 to launch Flickr for Good. The company has committed to giving away 10,000 free Flickr Pro accounts to nonprofits for one year (valued at $25 each).

TwtPolls:
1) Which company is the most generous?
2) And which company should be doing more?

Know of any other corporate social responsibility and philanthropic efforts by the companies listed above? If so, please list them below. THANKS.