Some well-known nonprofitcorporate partnerships are listed below. In each case, what do you think is the logic behind the relationship? In other words, why does this relationship make sense? What may be the principal benefits that each party receives as a result of the partnership? Do you see any possible issues/problems related to each of these relationships?
Neutrogena sells sunscreen with the American Cancer Society logo.
The Sierra Club endorsed a new line of environmentally friendly cleaning products from Clorox, called Green Works, in exchange for a fee (Jensen, 2008).
Microsoft created technology centers at Boys & Girls Club locations.
Christmas in April is a nonprofit that renovates homes for the elderly and disabled. The Home Depot has provided the organization with training for its volunteers, assistance from The Home Depot employees, and lines of credit for merchandise at its stores, as well as cash gifts.
In 2010, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a nonprofit organization that works to fight breast cancer through research, community health outreach, and advocacy, and restaurant chain KFC [formerly Kentucky Fried Chicken] initiated a promotion called Buckets for the Cure. KFC agreed to give Komen 50 cents for every special pink bucket of chicken purchased by the operators of their restaurants from April 5, 2010 – May 9, 2010. (Huget, 2010)
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Analysis of Nonprofit-Corporate Partnerships
Nonprofit-corporate partnerships can yield significant benefits for both parties involved, enhancing brand recognition, community engagement, and social impact. Below is an analysis of several well-known partnerships, exploring the logic behind these relationships, their principal benefits, and potential issues that may arise.
1. Neutrogena and the American Cancer Society
Logic Behind the Relationship
Neutrogena, a leading skincare brand, collaborates with the American Cancer Society (ACS) to market its sunscreen products. The partnership aligns Neutrogena’s brand with health advocacy, reinforcing the importance of sun protection in cancer prevention.
Principal Benefits
– Neutrogena: Gains credibility and trust by associating with a reputable health organization, potentially increasing sales due to heightened awareness about skin cancer prevention.
– American Cancer Society: Receives financial support and increased visibility for its mission, as more consumers become aware of skin cancer risks through the promotion of sunscreen.
Possible Issues
– Perception of “Cause Washing”: Consumers might perceive the partnership as insincere or view it as a marketing strategy rather than genuine support for cancer prevention.
– Focus on Profit vs. Mission: There could be concerns about whether Neutrogena’s focus on profit undermines the ACS’s mission.
2. Sierra Club and Clorox’s Green Works
Logic Behind the Relationship
The Sierra Club endorses Clorox’s environmentally friendly cleaning product line, Green Works, aligning its mission of promoting environmental sustainability with Clorox’s product offerings.
Principal Benefits
– Clorox: Gains credibility and market differentiation by receiving endorsement from a well-respected environmental organization, which can boost sales among eco-conscious consumers.
– Sierra Club: Receives financial compensation for the endorsement, which can be used to fund its environmental initiatives.
Possible Issues
– Ethical Concerns: Some members of the Sierra Club may question whether endorsing a corporate product aligns with their values, especially if Clorox has a history of producing non-eco-friendly products.
– Dependency on Corporate Funding: The Sierra Club may risk becoming too reliant on corporate partnerships for funding, potentially compromising its independence.
3. Microsoft and Boys & Girls Clubs
Logic Behind the Relationship
Microsoft establishes technology centers at Boys & Girls Club locations, aiming to provide access to technology and digital literacy for underprivileged youth.
Principal Benefits
– Microsoft: Enhances its corporate social responsibility profile and fosters brand loyalty among families who value educational opportunities for their children.
– Boys & Girls Club: Gains essential resources to provide technology training, enhancing its educational programs and attracting more youth to participate.
Possible Issues
– Sustainability of Programs: There might be concerns about whether the program can be sustained after initial funding or support from Microsoft ends.
– Equity in Access: Ensuring that all members have equal access to technology resources can be challenging, particularly in underserved communities.
4. Christmas in April and Home Depot
Logic Behind the Relationship
Christmas in April partners with Home Depot to renovate homes for the elderly and disabled, utilizing Home Depot’s resources and expertise in home improvement.
Principal Benefits
– Home Depot: Gains positive publicity and strengthens its brand image as a socially responsible company engaged in community service.
– Christmas in April: Receives significant support in terms of materials, training, and volunteer assistance, facilitating its mission to help those in need.
Possible Issues
– Resource Allocation: The reliance on Home Depot could lead to challenges if they decide to withdraw their support or change their corporate priorities.
– Volunteer Management: Coordinating volunteers from Home Depot with existing organizational resources may present logistical challenges.
5. Susan G. Komen for the Cure and KFC
Logic Behind the Relationship
KFC initiated the “Buckets for the Cure” campaign to support breast cancer research while promoting a special product offering.
Principal Benefits
– KFC: Increases sales through a targeted promotional campaign while enhancing its corporate image by supporting a well-known cause.
– Susan G. Komen for the Cure: Receives financial contributions to fund its programs while raising awareness about breast cancer among KFC’s customer base.
Possible Issues
– Dietary Concerns: The partnership may face criticism as KFC is associated with unhealthy eating habits, which could detract from the positive image Komen seeks to promote.
– Public Perception: Consumers may question the sincerity of KFC’s commitment to health when promoting a fried chicken product in conjunction with a health-related cause.
Conclusion
Nonprofit-corporate partnerships can be mutually beneficial, providing resources and visibility for nonprofit organizations while enhancing corporate social responsibility for businesses. However, each partnership carries potential risks and ethical considerations that must be navigated carefully. By maintaining transparency and aligning missions authentically, both parties can maximize their positive impact in society.
