This article reports the results of an exploratory study on corporate philanthropy using a sample of 206 Canadian companies. The results show that a corporation is more likely to have a professional donation program if it is large, privately owned, and the manager of the corporation acts as a volunteer fundraiser for a charitable organization. The second part of the study finds that the level of contributions made is positively related to the size of the organization and whether it has a professional donation program. However, economic constraints, imposed by debt covenant restrictions, reduce the amount donated. Finally, the results indicate a reciprocal relationship between the existence of a professional donation program and the level of philanthropic contributions.
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