Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), also known as corporate responsibility, corporate citizenship, responsible business, sustainable responsible business (SRB),or corporate social performance,[1] is a form of corporate self-regulation integrated into a business model. Ideally, CSR policy would function as a built-in, self-regulating mechanism whereby business would monitor and ensure their adherence to law, ethical standards, and international norms. Business would embrace responsibility for the impact of their activities on the environment, consumers, employees, communities, stakeholders and all other members of the public sphere. Furthermore, business would proactively promote the public interest by encouraging community growth and development, and voluntarily eliminating practices that harm the public sphere, regardless of legality. Essentially, CSR is the deliberate inclusion of public interest into corporate decision-making, and the honoring of a triple bottom line: People, Planet, Profit.

As Wikipedia says, "the practice of CSR is subject to much debate and criticism. Proponents argue that there is a strong business case for CSR, in that corporations benefit in multiple ways by operating with a perspective broader and longer than their own immediate, short-term profits. Critics argue that CSR distracts from the fundamental economic role of businesses; others argue that it is nothing more than superficial window-dressing; others argue that it is an attempt to pre-empt the role of governments as a watchdog over powerful multinational corporations."

It would seem that CSR is only intended for the multi million dollar corporations. Those making enough money to be able to afford to give back to the community and thus boost their PR and prevent the governments of their operating countries, from having to implement laws in ensuring they operate not to the detriment of the society and environment in which they operate. Weather or not this is so, I believe the Freelance Creative professional has an opportunity to exercise CSR with the use of Non Profit Organizations. Just like the large corporations, we can reap the benefits of CSR even though it is on a smaller scale.We at GemGfx have adopted a policy of offering our high quality design services to Religious Organizations, Youth Clubs, Environmental Groups and other Non-Profit organizations with the intent of giving back to our community and using the process to get an unlimited amount of exposure and marketing.

The Benefits Of CSR For The Freelancer

Unlimited Public Relations
By offering your creative services to non profit orgainzations, you have the opportunity to have your work put on display and recognized by many other organizations who support the non-profits. Most non profit organizations operate on sponsorship from large corporate entities or other business owners. When you as a freelancer, designs a flyer or an ad or a promotional website, your work will be put on display before these very individuals of these high profile corporations and you never know the question might be asked. "Who did the artwork for this production?". You will have the opportunity to gain advertising that you ordinarily would have had to pay a fortune for.

Basically the more non-profit work you do, means the more advertising you get. A point should be made here, that the freelancer is responsible to put the same effort into the non profit job as he would the paying project. We at GemGfx make a point to exercise the same level of quality control, design expertise, and the highest level of professionalism on the jobs we do for non profits. We at GemGfx understands, that our work represents us, where ever it appears and must always be of the best quality. You cannot do a poor job just because your are not being payed in cash. The payment from the non profit project will return in contacts, and referrals.

Building Your Portfolio
I read in a post on Freelance Folder that doing work for non profits is an excellent way to build your portfolio. This is especially important for designers now starting out and have a shortage of clients. For the established freelancer, it is still an opportunity to further advance your skill set by giving yourself a new challenge. The non profit organizations offer a greater deal of freedom in the creative process as apposed to a paying client. The non profits welcome the gesture so they allow the freelancer to create. This the reason again for maintaining your professionalism and quality. If it is to become part of your portfolio, it must be consistent with the rest of the work that is already there.

There is no shortage of non profits, so there is no shortage of work and your portfolio will grow to a decent size in no time.The idea that corporate social responsibility is good press is entirely true. If a corporation (especially a large, well-known one) does something that people other than employees benefit from, it makes them look good. By looking good, the corporation has a chance to get free advertising. If the good deed is covered by the media, the corporation does not have to pay a dime. So, you could almost consider the cost of the good deed as an advertising expense. An example of this is the large array of Christmas lights the Herr's chip factory puts up every year. Although this isn't a direct way of giving back, it gives the people in the area something magnificent to look at during the holiday season. At the same time, its gets peoples' attention which is what advertising is designed to do. The good press created by a strong sense of corporate social responsibility also has the potential to get new investors. Many wealthy people love investing in companies that are environmentally friendly or that give back to the people in some way.