Has the world of organized philanthropy done everything it can to shore up democratic values and aspirations? A new report details the findings of a symposium of foundations and nonprofit leaders that discussed the role of philanthropy in addressing the deepening cleavages in American society.

How exactly should companies participate in policy development and debate? The corporate sector has influenced policy through government relations for decades, but recently companies have been taking more public positions on policy and social issues. A new book from Tom Sheridan suggests that success comes from working across the aisle.

Will the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) reduce the amount individuals give to charity? Research from Indiana University's Lilly Family School of Philanthropy suggests troubling phenomena that could bring the nonprofit arts sector to a critical tipping point.

Water is a precious commodity, but it's in danger. The UN has cautioned that Sustainable Development Goal #6, which seeks to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030, is not on track. Companies need to help not only manage their own water use and discharge, but to also be a catalyst for change.

If you were the founder or CEO of a start-up company or later-stage firm, would you be willing to pledge 1 percent of your equity to charity? Building a purpose-based company from the beginning can be difficult without cash or profit, but pledging 1 percent of your equity is a quick and easy way to get started. Pledge 1% is a global on-line movement that encourages and empowers companies of all sizes and stages to do just that.

This Q&A with Ralph Ward discusses the job of the corporate director from his perspective as a business media and corporate governance executive. He gives his views on such topics as who owns tone at the top and directors’ ideal characteristics.

With government regulation lagging, technological outcomes depend on how businesses develop and apply them. It’s important that companies fill that gap by complementing their digital transformation journey with a governance arrangement that drives ethics and builds trust.

Do you have a firm grasp of the outcomes your societal investments are achieving, or are you still counting inputs and outputs? New research from The Conference Board, in collaboration with the Impact Genome Project and supported by Moody's, uses standardized metrics to measure social outcomes, enabling companies to more effectively report and benchmark the performance of their societal investments. Being able to compare social outcomes helps companies make smarter societal investments.