I was on Costco.com last night and just happened to notice a United Way logo on the home page with the words “Click here to pledge.” I found that as part of its United Way employee giving campaign, Costco is also encouraging Costco members to donate. You can give to United Way Worldwide or plug in your zip code to give to your local United Way. Cool–not only can I buy a casket, six-pound smoked goose and grand piano at Costco.com, but I can…

Keeping corporate giving at a steady level takes a remarkable commitment to philanthropy. At Parker, Smith & Feek, CEO Gregory Collins has pledged to maintain their company’s corporate giving level for at least the next year. His decision comes from a “responsibility to support the community that has been so generous to us.” Such an unfaltering sense of responsibility of corporate leaders on behalf of their corporations truly epitomizes the great philanthropic culture and sense of community that exists here in King County.

Corporate matches empower employees to make a bigger difference with their gifts. Washington Dental Service has increased their match policy to help employees see a larger return made by their gifts, as many employees are faced with the prospect of decreasing their philanthropy. Washington Dental Service employees have historically received a 1:1 match on charitable giving, but this year the company increased the match to 1.5:1 on gifts to United Way and a 2:1 match on Leadership Gifts ($1,000+).