Corporate social responsibility is a vital aspect of the business model for all companies. In other words, it makes smart sense to have a CSR program. And that helps explain why, as reported by Giving USA, corporations provided nonprofit organizations $20.77 billion in latest reporting. Additionally, Millennials and Gen Z push the public to demand and expect more regarding social causes. As a result, businesses can no longer merely provide lip service toward social good efforts. The public views them as essential to the best interest of society.

As I’ve mentioned in the past, there was a time when business leaders spoke about CSR. But it wasn’t something genuinely ingrained in the DNA of companies. That’s changed. Today, it makes good business sense to take a stand toward helping improve the lives of people in the communities where they operate. To that end, smart business leaders understand CSR is an essential aspect of their business planning. It’s also necessary, including at the board level, to demonstrate in a measurable way how the funds given toward CSR initiatives make a difference. All of this takes special expertise, knowledge, and training.

Social Good in the Classroom

One of the trends predicted for this year related to how CSR was going to become more critical for people to learn in classrooms. Workers and the public exist in a world of enormous change and complexity. Moreover, we face social discussions on issues related to diversity, equity, sustainability and ethics. As a result, leading schools and also local community colleges increased and expanded their leadership training. These programs and others aim to educate people on issues related to CSR, including good governance and accountability.

Top Programs in the U.S.

CSR is a competitive advantage for companies. It’s also a strategic way to impact the bottom line of corporations. Also, it helps improve the lives of people in the communities where companies operate. Some of the top programs for obtaining an education on corporate social responsibility include the following.

Harvard Business School

Harvard educates leaders who want to understand how to address the complex and pressing issues affecting societies today. The programs HBS offers help leaders understand missions, attract support and, crucially, scale operations.

SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University

The university offers its students a focus on sustainability. As a result, the program helps business leaders understand how to address global challenges. And it does this by teaching ways that are competitive and profitable using rigorous business analysis concerning social and environmental sustainability.

Wharton Social Impact Initiative

Wharton helps leaders understand how to create evidence-based impact. Ultimately, th focus of their programs is to provide students with training opportunities. In turn that training will help new leaders develop business-driven solutions to build a better world.

Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkley 

This program provides its students with a CSR program that helps leaders become change agents. Further, the learning includes experiential training concerning CSR and sustainability. Also, they offer additional programs offered by the Center for Responsible Business at Berkley.

Center for Social Innovation at Stanford Graduate School of Business

Standford offers students training concerning social change and the environment. Its programs aim to provide an understanding of how to make an innovative social impact. Also, the school does achieves knowledge with research, education and experiential learning.

Although these are a few of the top-rated schools, with an expensive price tag, plenty of schools and institutions across the country offer business leaders excellent training concerning cCSR and sustainability. Two good places exist to begin figuring out which program might be right for you. So, take a look at QS Top MBA and College Choice. Also, check out the programs that are offered by your local college or university within their business schools.

 

Author of “Not Your Father’s Charity: Grip & Rip Leadership for Social Impact” (Free Digital Download)

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