Corporate social responsibility and the nonprofit sector - an unethical marketing strategy or genuine concern?

Abstract

In the transition of political society that we all witness today, an important place is given to civil society, which exists when individuals and groups are free to form organizations that operate independently from the state and citizens. Civil society is the venue for the citizens and alternative groups and organizations (interest groups, NGOs, new social movements) through which citizens put pressure on government agencies to fight for more freedom and autonomy. The provision of sufficient funds, grants, donations, scholarships for activists and users is crucial to the survival of every non-profit organization. Citizens' associations play a special role in societies-in-transition in Central and Eastern Europe, as indeed in all countries, because they act in areas where the government has withdrawn, supplementing an inadequate civil service in helping to improve social and environmental damage. They shore up the gaps in government regulation, and they contribute to the democratization process. They help people in need, they address social problems, and provide a way to organize many groups of citizens. While civil associations perform a wide range of programs that fall into different categories, foundations and corporate donors provide capital for social ventures that support the association's activities. The work raises directly the question of whether for companies of today, Corporate Social Responsibility represents a cleverly designed unethical marketing strategy or genuine concern on the part of the donor. Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility, marketing strategy, civil society, funding