“We all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. It is our responsibility to leave the world better than we found it — for those who will stand on ours. Think WE, not just me.”
Ed Satell
Founder and Chairman of The Satell Institute
The Satell Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, fully independent “Think and Do Tank” Dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility.™
Our mission is simple: strengthen communities by helping successful companies discover and connect with high-impact nonprofits of their choosing.
We convene experts and executives to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and explore what business can achieve for the public good. But insight only matters if it drives action. That’s why we call ourselves a Think and Do Tank: our members commit resources, form nonprofit partnerships, and turn bold ideas into real impact. Because Community is Every Leader’s Business.™
Our founder’s vision for a better way to give
Corporate members choose which nonprofits to support and give directly to those organizations — no middleman. In return, they gain a trusted national network comprising hundreds of business leaders and even more nonprofit partners.
Our model lets every organization play to its strengths: business brings innovation, efficiency, and scale; nonprofits bring deep community knowledge, expertise, and mission-driven focus. Together, they create measurable social impact.
A New Definition
of Business
The Purpose of Business is to lawfully offer services or products for sale to customers at a profit for the ownership. Growth in the size of a business customer base comes from management hiring staff who choose to work hard to improve their skills through relevant education and through experiential learning. Of utmost importance to the economy, business growth supplies 80% of all new jobs, which both communities and individuals very much depend upon.
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Competition is a major driving force for the improvement of business. Customers choose where they want to buy based on value they perceive FOR price or quality or service or convenience. Businesses normally risk substantial capital. The failure rate of new businesses in year one is around 20%, by year 5 about 50%, by year 10 about 65%. Some of these failed companies are bought by other companies.
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Milton Friedman's long-accepted definition of the purpose of business was maximizing profits for its share holders. As surviving business grew dramatically and became more complex, largely due to significant innovation, improving management and better services, the Business Round Table changed the definition of business to include five constituencies rather than just one to better serve the humanistic needs of the society.
The Satell Institute has become a uniquely active promoter of this holistic change that improves both businesses and communities.
Our members exemplify this approach. Through multi-year commitments to nonprofits, they demonstrate a long-term view that advances the greater good — creating stronger organizations and healthier communities.
Shareholders
Their investment makes business possible. Today, many investors seek companies committed to corporate social responsibility, knowing that it strengthens both their reputation and the community.
Employees
A talented workforce is essential for success. Companies that give back are more effective at attracting and retaining top talent, as well as improving employee satisfaction.
Customers
Meeting customer needs through valued products and services is vital. Most customers prefer to support companies driven by purpose and principles.
Vendors
No business thrives without trusted partners and suppliers who help deliver quality and consistency.
The Community
A vibrant, healthy community benefits everyone: businesses, employees, customers, and their families alike.
Our Team
Building towards a
National Community with Global Impact
Like the United States of America, the Satell Institute began in Philadelphia with a bold idea and a committed group of early members.
Today, that idea has taken root across to major cities nationwide. Our members come from across the country and across industries, united not by geography but by a shared belief: that business success creates a responsibility to give back.
“More and more businesses are caring about Corporate Social Responsibility these days. When we tell our story to other businesses, it resonates with them. We want to work with like-minded companies, and we’re finding other companies feel the same way. This is what makes Satell such a great connector organization.”
Brad Sims
CEO, New York City Football Club
Frequently Asked Questions
Former IBM Chair and CEO Ginni Rometty
Keynote speaker / Fall 2022 Private CEO Conference
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A Think and Do Tank Dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility™. Independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit, fully endowed, and focused on improving the reputation of business, the Institute was founded on the principles of free enterprise and promotes long-term partnerships between businesses and nonprofits to benefit the community and serve the greater good.
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By invitation, membership is open to business CEOs or the local equivalent, business or family foundations, and business leaders who commit to a four-year minimum funding partnership of $25,000 a year for 4 years ( $100,000 total) with a nonprofit organization that they alone choose. Many members, based on their capacity, choose to support more than one nonprofit, each receiving the minimum of $100,000 over 4 years. This is purely the member’s choice. 28 members chose to contribute between one and 10 million dollars each, over the 4 years.
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No. The Satell Institute is fully endowed by its founder, so there are no dues or fees. One hundred percent of all funding commitments go directly from the for-profit member to their nonprofit partner(s). No funds go to or pass through the Institute.
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The Institute requires one action step for membership—a four-year funding commitment to a nonprofit chosen by the funder—rather than one-off donations or short-term campaigns. When selected by a business or foundation for this commitment, the nonprofit also becomes a Nonprofit Affiliate Member at no charge.
The Institute is a member-led CEO organization, specific in its Corporate Social Responsibility mission, without fees or dues. -
We don’t convene people just to fill a calendar. Every gathering has a purpose and is designed to be meaningful. In Philadelphia, our headquarters and original chapter, all chief executives (business and nonprofit alike ) are invited to three (3) hallmark events each year:
Two private CEO Conferences (Spring and Fall), off-the-record, invitation-only conversations featuring nationally recognized leaders and our hallmark peer-sharing tables with other top executives.
The Nonprofit Leadership Summit (Spring) brings together nonprofit CEOs, their senior teams, and our funding members to strengthen collaboration.
Beyond that, each region develops additional opportunities that fit its members, including intimate Executive Roundtables. The exact mix may vary from chapter to chapter, but the anchor conference in every region ensures members are always part of something significant, not just another meeting.
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The Institute’s well-respected Think Tank commissions and curates research, articles, experiments, multi-media resources, and white papers for our members on cutting-edge CSR initiatives. In addition, it houses a widely cited Glossary of Terms.
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Yes. When selected by a business or foundation Member for the four-year commitment, the nonprofit chosen immediately becomes a Nonprofit Affiliate Member.
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Yes. Members may contribute to any nonprofit of their choice, and they may support as many nonprofits as they wish. The nonprofit being supported does not need to have any current affiliation with the Institute.
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All Members are asked to attend at least ONE event each year, selecting from Conferences, Board and Member Meetings, Nonprofit Leadership Summits, or Executive Roundtables. Members are always welcome to volunteer for working groups or committees if they choose. The Satell Institute emphasizes flexibility. Most of the "work" is handled by the Institute staff.
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Members select a nonprofit that aligns with their mission, values, corporate goals, or those important to their employees.
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Yes. We actively encourage our Nonprofit Affiliates to introduce their Board members, donors, and prospective donors to the Institute, so that the nonprofit can gain the benefit of additional four-year commitments. Some Nonprofit Affiliates have more than five funders through the Satell Institute.
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No business can operate with a one-year financial plan. Neither can a nonprofit. Because most of their resources are invested in people and programming, multi-year giving allows nonprofits to plan, implement, and measure impact.
The four-year commitment means that funding does more than enable survival; it propels sustainability. -
The Institute was founded by Ed Satell, a successful entrepreneur, business and civic leader, and lifelong quiet but substantial philanthropist. Ed’s vision was to inspire businesses to give back to their communities to improve the reputation of business, as all benefit from vibrant communities. He believes and counsels that the most effective way to do this is through strategic long-term support for mission-driven nonprofits of a member's choice.
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It began locally in Greater Philadelphia and, because of its huge success, has been spreading to other cities. It has already efficiently raised over $150 million for nonprofits, and with more growth, aims to reach a billion dollars every 4 years.
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No. It generously pays for the approved operating costs of the institute. The Institute is an operating foundation. It encourages and amplifies the impact of member-directed funding to nonprofits through long-term partnerships.
Contact the Satell Institute
Satell Institute members don’t just believe in a better way—they’re building it. If you're a business or foundation leader ready to act on your values, we invite you to join us. Together, we can do more than give back. We can move forward.
membership@satellinstitute.org