You may have heard terms like CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), Impact Measurement, Purpose-Driven Business, Conscious Capitalism, or DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion). It can feel overwhelming.

At Elevated Impact, we use “Corporate Social Impact” as an umbrella term. It’s the next evolution of CSR, and it describes a company’s efforts to operate ethically, transparently, and in ways that create positive change for people and the planet.

Not quite. The two are related, but they’re not interchangeable.

• Corporate Social Impact is about how a company shows up in the world: its values, priorities, and actions to benefit society and the environment. This might include philanthropy, community engagement, advocacy, or going above and beyond compliance.

• ESG reporting is a framework of measurable criteria—data points investors, regulators, and other stakeholders use to assess a company’s performance and long-term risk. Think of it as the “proof points” behind the strategy.

At Elevated Impact, we see ESG reporting as one tool within a broader Social Impact strategy: the strategy shapes what matters most, while the reporting provides transparency and accountability.

We believe Corporate Social Impact is as essential as HR or Finance. Here’s why:

• Future-proofing your business: Companies thrive when their ecosystems are healthy—stable supply chains, economically empowered customers, talented employees, safe and resilient communities. Social Impact isn’t an “extra”; it’s part of long-term business success.

• Avoiding wasted effort: Most companies spend resources on compliance or charitable activities anyway. A strategy ensures those investments also strengthen your business.

• Employees expect it: Today’s workforce, especially younger generations, want to work for values-driven companies. A strong Social Impact strategy boosts recruitment, engagement, and retention.

Additional reading:

• Deloitte 2025 Gen Z & Millennial Survey

• World Economic Forum & LinkedIn Talent Solutions Study 2023

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) became a major focus for companies in recent years, especially around workplace culture and hiring practices. DEI is typically housed under HR, but it connects to Corporate Social Impact when companies track and report workforce metrics in ESG disclosures—or when inclusive practices become a visible part of the company’s purpose.

We’ve built an assessment framework that places companies on a spectrum—from Basic Responsibility to Elevated Impact.

Companies at the Elevated Impact level typically have:

• A clear Impact objective aligned with corporate purpose

• Defined Impact Pillars to guide investments and activities

• Strong employee engagement and giving programs

• Long-term nonprofit partnerships

• Measurable outcomes for both business and community

• Transparent, credible ESG reporting

Our assessment isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about understanding how your business is truly making a difference—and building the conditions where both your company and your community can thrive.

Not at all. Social Impact isn’t reserved for Fortune 500s with big budgets and global teams. In fact, many of the most creative and authentic programs come from small and mid-sized businesses who want to show up for their communities and employees in a meaningful way. We’ve worked with companies of all sized, and have found that the key is building a strategy that fits your size, stage, and goals.

Nope. A strong Social Impact strategy isn’t about writing giant checks. It’s about making thoughtful choices. That might mean aligning donations with your business purpose, encouraging employees to volunteer, or building partnerships with local organizations. Many companies start with modest budgets and see real impact by being intentional. We’ll help you identify the highest-value steps, no matter your resources.

That’s completely fine (and actually a great place to start). You don’t need a long track record to build an effective strategy; you just need clarity on what matters most to your business and stakeholders. We’ll work with you to map out your first steps so you can build momentum without feeling overwhelmed. Think of it as laying the foundation for future growth.

Our primary focus is helping companies build their Corporate Social Impact strategies. That said, nonprofits often benefit from understanding how businesses think about impact, partnerships, and ESG. If you’re a nonprofit interested in strengthening your corporate partnerships, we can certainly share insights, frameworks, and approaches that help you connect with companies in more strategic ways.

It depends on your goals, but most companies can expect to build a solid foundation within 3–6 months. This includes understanding your stakeholders, identifying priority issues, creating program pillars, and setting up reporting. Some clients choose to keep us on longer for fractional leadership or ongoing support, but you’ll start seeing clarity and direction much sooner.

You could try—but here’s the thing: Corporate Social Impact is deeply human work. It’s about relationships, trust, and understanding the subtle cues that shape decisions and outcomes. Years of lived experience in both the corporate and nonprofit worlds allow us to sense nuances, spot barriers, and build buy-in in ways AI simply can’t.

That said, we see AI as a helpful co-worker at Elevated Impact: it can crunch data, streamline tasks, and surface insights. We even build custom AI-powered tools to deliver more value to our clients. But AI isn’t your strategy director, your manager, or your Chief Impact Officer. A meaningful Social Impact strategy requires human judgment, empathy, and experience—and that’s what we bring to the table.

Simple: reach out! Whether you’re a start-up setting foundations, a mid-size business ready to grow with purpose, or an enterprise looking to refresh your impact story, we can help.