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Energy companies fuel surge in charitable giving
By Nicole Stempak
FORT WORTH, Texas
The companies that are pulling gas and oil out of the ground in Fort Worth also have been active charitable organizations in the communities where they operate.
And at least one energy company has plans to bring its philanthropy to Ohio.
“An additional impact of this wonderful play here has been the philanthropic side of it,” said Bill Thornton, chief executive officer of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.
His comments are echoed by others in charities and philanthropic organizations operating in the same communities as large oil companies.
Lynn Pharr, executive vice president and chief development officer for the United Way of Tarrant County, said there is no doubt that oil and gas companies have helped the economy and numerous organizations.
“It’s been a really great relationship for United Way to have a growing oil and gas presence in our community — not only for our bottom line — but just how they lend their time and talent,” Pharr said. “We’ve been a winner at every turn with oil and gas in our community.”
The Fort Worth United Way received a $1 million endowment from Chesapeake Energy Corp. a few years ago. Pharr said Chesapeake and other gas-and-oil company workers have also donated time, talent, support and facility space.
Pharr said in the past five to six years, contributions from oil and gas companies have skyrocketed.
“That’s one thing about the growing oil-and-gas industry here: It brings growth to the economy and a valuable skill set to the nonprofit community,” Pharr said. “They share their expertise. Sometimes, for a nonprofit, that’s more valuable because it gives us a lot of depth and skill sets that come to our committees and boardroom.”
Pharr said Kimberly Britton, director of community relations at Chesapeake Energy in Fort Worth, recently conducted a training seminar for nonprofit leaders about creating diverse boards.
Britton said more than 90 percent of Chesapeake employees working in the Fort Worth area donated to United Way in 2011, and the total dollar impact was $447,000.
At the end of the day, it’s not just about drilling, Britton said.
“We are looking at how we will engage with charities and opportunities to engage and interact with the audience of the charity,” she said. “Writing a check and interacting is a good way to let them know we are responsible corporate citizens for the long haul.”
Chip Minty, media relations manager at Devon Energy, said the company first entered the Fort Worth area a decade ago. Since then, the company has worked to expand its relationship with the community.
“It’s not just a matter of money,” he said. “We reach out through volunteerism as well as corporate contributions to emergency responders, youth and education, arts and culture, and civic and community organizations.”
Minty said Devon is still in its early days of drilling in Ohio, but it’s an exciting process with the possibility for the same long-term impact seen in Texas.
“We have a long way to go in Ohio to first establish the viability of that shale play and establish whether or not we can drill and make wells that are economically viable,” he said. “Once we’re able to do that — and we’re optimistic we can do that — then we can develop an outreach program,” Minty said.
Three area YMCA organizations operating in the Fort Worth area have received tens of thousands of dollars from energy companies.
Hope Caldwell, director of marketing and communications, for the Downtown Amon G. Carter Jr. YMCA, said the nearly 90-year old building was remodeled a few years ago, and XTO Energy donated about $500,000 to the effort.
Caldwell said the YMCA also received grants from Chesapeake to improve facilities at lower-income branches.
One YMCA received a $15,000 grant from Chesapeake to refurbish soccer fields and basketball courts. Another received a $20,000 grant from Chesapeake to transform tennis courts into basketball courts with lights for nearby children.
Jennifer Wilson, marketing and communications manager at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Fort Worth, said her nonprofit also has received support through one of its biggest fundraisers, the annual North Texas crawfish boil.
Oil and gas companies started the event and attracts employees from 30 to 50 area companies. Last year’s crawfish boil raised a record $272,000 toward the area clubs’ general-operating expenses.
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