Nearly 75% of Central Texas businesses supported local nonprofits in 2018. Another statistic of note, from 2017-18, 43% of Central Texas businesses increased the portion of their budgets devoted to philanthropy and charitable giving. Those results and more come from the Rodman Report, an annual survey conducted by Austin-based philanthropic advisers Rodman & Associates. This year’s report includes responses from more than 150 area organizations and explores a range of topics, from how companies give to why they give and what constitutes their criteria for support. A press release quotes Rodman & Associates founder Lisa Rodman as saying the report benefits nonprofits and businesses. “Every year, the Rodman Report provides new metrics that help companies understand how their giving compares to others in the community,” Rodman said in the release. “The insights are also critical, however, for nonprofits to see how their needs align with the giving priorities of Central Texas businesses.” The release also states the results in the Rodman Report are drawn from the responses of 152 Central Texas companies that participated in an online survey between Jan. 28 and Feb. 28. Results from the survey show most companies cited monetary donations and volunteer hours as their primary methods of giving at 86% and 79%, respectively, and the key drivers for public giving in 2018 were community support and public goodwill at 79% and 66%, respectively. Another result within the survey states 45% of respondents said their company provided assistance in 2018 to communities or individuals affected by damaging Central Texas flooding. The release states Austin Mayor Steve Adler endorsed the report and encouraged local businesses to participate in the survey. “Austin has a thriving business community,” Adler wrote in an email invitation, according to the release. “That in itself is a great thing, but it’s even better knowing that our local businesses are forces for good in our community.” For a complete look at the report, click here.