Forward Through Ferguson, a Missouri nonprofit, was established in 2015 to address societal issues identified in the Ferguson Commission report following the police shooting of Michael Brown Jr. and subsequent riots in Ferguson, Missouri. Despite early financial support from corporations like Anheuser-Busch and philanthropic organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the nonprofit faced challenges as funding from pledged supporters dwindled over time, citing shifting priorities.
Annissa McCaskill, the executive director of Forward Through Ferguson, expressed the difficulties faced by organizations depending on annual public donations, compared to those with large endowments. The organization’s experience reflects a common trend in philanthropy where donations surge during high-profile events but decline afterward.
Following the Ferguson unrest, Emerson Electric introduced the “Ferguson Forward” initiative, allocating $4 million over five years to enhance education and business opportunities in the community, with hopes of inspiring other companies to join.Various reasons drive corporations to engage in community initiatives, from altruism to business-related benefits like employee retention and building a stronger customer base.
Recent trends indicate that more corporations are offering goods and services at reduced rates alongside donations, reflecting a shift in corporate social responsibility practices. Despite increased resources dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, the current backlash complicates measuring corporate commitments in these areas.
Research shows a lack of transparency in corporate pledges regarding racial equity initiatives, prompting efforts to make this information more accessible. Companies are not mandated to disclose such data publicly, with limited requirements for transparency. Some companies have fulfilled public pledges on racial equity, while others lacked detailed reports on their commitments, raising concerns about accountability.
For instance, AT&T did not respond to inquiries about fulfilling its $10 million pledge to historically Black colleges and universities, whereas Meta disclosed its contributions to organizations focusing on racial equity. Johnson & Johnson stated spending $80 million out of a pledged $100 million on programs addressing racial health inequities by the end of 2023.