Company: Bison Financial Group
Headquarters: Lafayette, Indiana
Industry: Financial Planning
Company Size: Small (annual revenues of less than $50 million)

“We believe the arts create vibrancy, enrich the lives of our friends and neighbors, and meaningfully promote the economic fabric and prosperity of our beloved community.”
                – David C. Vorbeck, Managing Partner

Objectives
To contribute to a vibrant community by encouraging employees to offer volunteer services that enrich the activities of the not-for-profit community, including the arts, and to encourage employees to participate in the arts with the ultimate results of increasing business opportunities for all.

Process

• Bison created the Vibrant Community Fund (VCF) to provide financial support, volunteer time and in-kind services to organizations that promote the development and execution of the arts, educate the community and aid those in need.
• Employees volunteer for VCF organizations and are credited for each volunteer hour for which they may earn up to two additional weeks of paid vacation a year.
• In addition to supporting emerging and new arts organization, Bison also offers these groups donated office equipment, and printing services; sends e-mails to clients to promote arts offerings; markets their business model and encourages other businesses in the community to support the arts while matching their grants through the VCF; and purchases tickets to performances and exhibitions that it gives to individuals who might not otherwise attend.

Results
Bison's arts-related activities enhance employee satisfaction, increase client appreciation and position the company as an engaged and productive citizen of its community.  The donated services and volunteer expertise reduce operating costs for the arts and help them enrich their offerings. Bison's efforts also help develop new audiences and generate new support from business.  (2007)

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