Emerging Corporate Social Responsibility: Strategic Giving in the Motor City

The complex social problems facing cities in the United States today will require more accountability and collaboration from the public and private sectors. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) can be a key driver in community development and economic prosperity. Existing literature suggests that initiatives are most impactful when businesses and nonprofits align their missions, build relationships, generate shared value, and enforce mutual expectations. The case study of Detroit exemplifies how an American city struggling with economic and racial disparity responds to this cross sector collaboration. How have the CSR strategies of General Motors and Quicken Loans evolved in contributing to the economic growth of Detroit? Through interviews and nonprofit-business partnership case studies, this research assesses how the two companies transition from a more charitable giving model to an integrative system prioritizing the city’s needs. I argue that the CSR initiatives in Detroit are evolving towards a more strategic approach with significant effects on the current revitalization of the city. The rising demand for corporate accountability pressures companies to be thoughtful and targeted with their approaches to community development and urban revitalization.