Building philanthropy into your firm's plan for growth

A primary goal for many companies is growth—growth in the number of clients you have, the number of projects your teams deliver, and the number of people you employ. 

Growth can bring substantial benefits as it relates to financial success and employee opportunities, with firms determining how and where they want to grow to align with their business objectives and mission, vision, and values. But another important element to consider as part of your overall growth plan is philanthropy. 

At Cushing Terrell, a national firm with offices in eight states across the U.S., we’ve always had a strong commitment to supporting our local communities. Each of our offices has long-held traditions that reflect the culture of the teams in those areas. In Billings, for example, we support Newman Elementary School through the donation of Thanksgiving food baskets and by participating in reading programs; we bring local high school students into our office for hands-on career days; and we organize the Cushing Terrell Golf Classic to raise funds for local nonprofit organizations. These are just a few activities among many we commit to each year. These traditions are at the heart of who we are and create cross-generational relationships that contribute to thriving communities and workplaces.

As we’ve grown as a firm, we’ve made two big moves that have helped formalize our commitment to our communities with the goal of creating an even greater impact.

First, we established a pro bono design services program in 2022. Our pro bono program—encompassing all our offices—is part of an effort to better define and organize our commitment to social action. In addition to providing pro bono design services, this initiative includes action around diversity, equity, and inclusion; community service; charitable giving; and sustainable design. The objective is to support communities local to Cushing Terrell office locations as well as engage with entities outside the firm’s immediate network. Through these charitable projects, we foster connections and professional growth for Cushing Terrell team members by engaging a broad range of talents from people at different levels and stages of their careers. 

Each year, we set aside billable hours that can be donated to support nonprofits nominated for pro bono services. For those nonprofits and projects selected, we assign design teams of interested people from across our offices and disciplines. The program has helped organize the expertise of our team members behind projects they feel passionate about.

Three years in, we’ve supported organizations such as the American Legion in Big Timber, Montana; the Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming in Billings, Montana; Sacred Heart Academy in Boise, Idaho; Northern Lights Family Justice Center in Billings, Montana; University District Food Bank in Seattle, Washington; Holy Aid and Comfort Spiritual Church in New Orleans, Louisiana; and Advocates Against Family Violence in Caldwell, Idaho.

Our recent big news is the establishment of the Cushing Terrell Foundation. Through the foundation, we will identify strategic partnerships with nonprofits to enable support that goes beyond monetary donations. Our goal is to bring together resources and capitalize on collaboration to increase the impact of our philanthropic and charitable-giving efforts in alignment with our mission to “invent a better way of living.” I’m proud of our firm’s leadership team for taking this step and making the foundation a reality, and I’m excited by the enthusiasm shown by our entire team. This foundation will be a strong and enduring legacy we can all contribute to in a variety of meaningful ways. 

One of our associate principals, James Foster, AIA, summed it up like so: “Philanthropy is an important aspect of a healthy society. And one of our core values at Cushing Terrell is ‘share success,’ which for us means contributing to society’s health by being good stewards of our communities and the built and natural environments.”  

In deciding upon how and what to take on as a firm — as it relates to philanthropy and giving back to our communities — one of the things that has guided our path is our mission, vision, and values. We always come back to these and to the realization that we have so much power and potential to “invent a better way of living.” And if we’re growing our firm in so many other ways, we must have a plan for growing our influence and impact.  

Shannon Christiansen, FAIA, is an architect and principal owner with Cushing Terrell. She regularly volunteers in the community of Billings, Mont., where she lives and works.