RAM Partners is a nationwide property management company based in Atlanta, devoted to transforming the properties they manage into welcoming, vibrant and thriving communities. By opening a Corporate Giving Fund with Cobb Community Foundation (CCF), RAM is able to support nonprofits in the communities they serve while cultivating a culture of compassion in their organization. Employees (or RAMily) are encouraged to make tax-deductible contributions to the RAM Gives Fund through payroll deductions. RAM and its partners are committed to the success of this program and are investing in big way. Funds from RAM, its partners and employees are contributed to the RAM Gives Fund held at CCF until the RAM grants committee (consisting of team members at varying locations and levels) meets to evaluate, select and award quarterly grants (grant requests are made by participating employees).
Susan Brown, VP of Operations for RAM, shares this. “It is a privilege to work for a company that cares as much for their employees and community as they do about the bottom line. The RAM Gives and employee assistance funds allow us to demonstrate our core values in a tangible way. Our employees are excited to participate and Cobb Community Foundation is a great partner.” . Employee participation has been even greater than anticipated with 146 RAMily members enrolled to date.
RAM chose to go a step further and pair their giving fund with an Employee Assistance Fund (EAF). “The employee assistance fund allows our organization to assist team members in an equitable, confidential way that is easy to communicate and administer,” says Karin Lane, RAM HR Director. An EAF allows businesses, and other contributors, the opportunity to set aside tax-deductible contributions for employees experiencing significant hardship as a result of unavoidable catastrophic or extreme circumstances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. CCF is the first community foundation in Georgia to offer EAFs. As part of this agreement, CCF partners with the Center for Family Resources to confidentially accept, evaluate, and process all requests for assistance from RAM’s EAF.
Numerous studies highlight the importance of charitable giving and other socially responsible programs for attracting, engaging and retaining employees, particularly millennials and younger generations. This makes Corporate Giving Funds and Employee Assistance Funds a win-win-win for employees, the employer, and for the community.
Partnering with corporations to provide a tax-deductible way to meet the needs of the communities they serve as well as their employees experiencing significant hardship so that they are able to focus on what they do best is just one of the ways Cobb Community Foundation – inspires charitable giving, builds resources for the future and connects donors who care with causes that matter. If would like to learn more about Corporate Giving Funds, please contact Barbara Garner at barbara@cobbfoundation.org or call (770) 859-2359.
