Law firm's giving program to help open new libraries

Susan Deutschle

For Business First

Like most Columbus law offices, Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff LLP wants to give something back to the community.

The firm has always made annual contributions to a variety of local causes and its attorneys and staff are active on non-profit boards and committees throughout Central Ohio.

Still, managing partner C. David Paragas couldn't help feeling that something was missing.

"It was difficult to assess the impact of our giving and to really know and have a sense of satisfaction that we were making a genuine difference in the community," he said.

So Paragas set out to radically change the way Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff approached charitable giving. He started by surveying the roughly 25 lawyers and 25 support staff who work in the Columbus office (the firm has its headquarters in Cleveland).

Among other things, they were asked to identify charitable causes that were most important to them.

Although a number of responses were given, the one that occurred most frequently was childhood literacy.

"As attorneys, we believe that knowledge is power and the best way to instill knowledge is through reading and to teach children the joy of reading at young age," said Paragas.

Channeling giving

The idea that Paragas had in mind was to launch a concentrated giving program that would channel most of the firm's annual giving into one project that addressed the cause nearest and dearest to the hearts of the firm's employees.

"I didn't want to ignore our responsibility to United Way and a few other agencies, but I envisioned a new strategy that would allow us to develop a deeper, more meaningful relationship with one organization over a longer period of time. I wanted a way for our firm to leave a lasting legacy," Paragas said.

After identifying the target cause, Paragas began searching for a worthy beneficiary. Eventually he was led to St. Stephen's Community House, which was in the middle of a $2.4 million capital campaign to maintain their existing facility.

The organization has provided a wide range of support services to Linden-area residents, including children, since 1965. The agency's wish list has long included a library for its youngest members.

Paragas said developing a library for the children at St. Stephen's became an obvious fit for the law firm.

After many meetings and discussions with the leadership at St. Stephen's, Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff decided it would dedicate most of the firm's financial and volunteer resources to creating and running two libraries - one for younger children and another one for teens and seniors.

The libraries will open in two phases, beginning on January 20th, in existing space within St. Stephen's 61,000 square-foot facility. A third project - the development of a garden - will also be part of the law firm's three-year partnership with St. Stephen's.

Mary Leathley, St. Stephen's director of development, said the law firm "dug deep and said: 'What can we do that would involve our staff and families?' They wanted to do something that would be unique and ongoing."

Boosting morale

The financial resources directed at St. Stephen's will likely exceed $20,000 over the next three years, according to Paragas. And, more than 200 volunteer hours will be committed annually to ensure that the libraries are well-run.

"Right now, we're conducting book drives with a goal of donating a minimum of 1,000 books. We've also been painting the room, setting up bookshelves and getting everything ready for the kick-off," said Paragas.

A list of preferred titles is being used to accumulate a wide range of works that will complement and support school curricula.

The activity has boosted morale at Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff, according to Paragas. Some of the firm's employees have even gotten their family members into the act.

"They want to teach their kids the value of giving and this provides them with that opportunity. Our staff and their families will be involved in maintaining the library," Paragas said.

In the future, Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff may issue a request for proposals to select the three-year beneficiary of the firm's philanthropy.

"I envision an application process that allows us to review a wide range of interesting proposals," said Paragas.

Mark Huddy, Vicar of Catholic Charities and a board member of St. Stephens hopes that other companies will consider taking this sort of relational approach to charitable giving.

"They are not simply writing a check, but rather establishing a real relationship with an agency who touches our community," Huddy said.

© 2004 American City Business Journals Inc.