Turn community investment into a business asset.
Not a random string of checks.
You want your company to do good. You want it to mean something.
To your people, your customers, your community, and yes, to your bottom line.
Community investment isn’t just writing checks. It includes volunteering, sponsorships, partnerships, and charitable investments—guided by one clear strategy aligned with where your business is headed.
I work with small and mid-size companies where community investment has grown – but strategy hasn’t.
How I Help
My work helps leadership teams move from well-intended activity to clear, defensible strategy.
I help business leaders bring clarity and strategy to how their companies show up in the community—so their giving, partnerships, and commitments actually support the business they’re building.
That means moving away from reactive check-writing and one-off decisions, and toward a focused, intentional approach that makes sense internally and externally.
A community investment strategy that actually reflects your business
We define what you support, why it matters, and how it connects to your business—so decisions get easier and you stop scrambling to respond to every request.
Aligned giving, sponsorships, and partnerships
Rather than treating commitments separately, we create one approach that reflects your priorities and builds real nonprofit capacity—not just short-term relief.
Community investment that’s real—not just announcements
No press-release strategies or inflated claims. Just clear priorities, honest communication, and accountability that holds up with employees, customers, and partners.
The result is a community investment approach that feels grounded, defensible, and genuinely connected to your business—without requiring more time, more money, or more noise.
Why This Matters Now
Many companies already give back. The problem isn’t generosity—it’s fragmentation.
Community investment has expanded over the past few years, often in response to employee expectations, customer scrutiny, and constant requests for support. What hasn’t kept pace is strategy.
Decisions get made reactively. Priorities blur. And leaders are left managing a growing list of commitments without a clear way to explain—or defend—them.
At the same time, traditional models of corporate giving are showing their limits. One-off donations and short-term sponsorships don’t create meaningful connection, and they don’t reflect how modern businesses actually operate.
Employees want to see authenticity. Customers want credibility. Community partners need consistency.
This isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what you already do with intention, alignment, and clarity—so your community investment supports your business goals instead of pulling attention away from them.
When community investment is guided by strategy, it becomes an asset rather than an obligation—and that shift matters more now than ever.
About Sue Hyatt
I help business leaders bring clarity and strategy to how their companies invest in the community—so those decisions support the business they’re building.
With more than 30 years of experience working across business, nonprofits, and public service, I bring a practical perspective on what works, what doesn’t, and where well-intended efforts break down.
I understand the tradeoffs leaders face when values, growth, and reputation intersect.
My approach is grounded and strategic—focused on alignment, not performative gestures or check-the-box giving.
What Business Leaders Say
For-profit business can be a powerful force for civic good—but not all companies know how to do social and civic engagement meaningfully and strategically. Susan Hyatt’s wisdom and experience are a must for business leaders wishing to create greater impact in the world.
~ Jeffrey Swartz, Former CEO, Timberland
Susan Hyatt explores the business advantages and mutual benefits of what we termed Worthy Cause Marketing. Giving nonprofit supporters a social reason to buy your product is one of the most efficient ways to build brand loyalty.
~ Bonnie Harvey & Michael Houlihan, Founders, Barefoot Wines
How We Can Work Together
I work with business leaders through focused, practical engagements designed to bring clarity to how their company invests in the community—without adding complexity or unnecessary programs.
– Community investment strategy sessions
Clarify priorities, focus resources, and establish a strategy that aligns with your business goals.
– Executive briefings and leadership conversations
Create shared understanding at the leadership level about the role community investment plays in the business.
– Reviews of existing giving and sponsorship portfolios
Identify what’s working, what’s not, and where misalignment or risk may exist.
– Facilitated conversations and advisory support
Help leadership teams navigate tradeoffs, alignment, and next steps with confidence.
All engagements are tailored, time-respectful, and grounded in real-world business constraints—not theory.
Most leaders begin with an Initial Strategy Conversation to clarify whether a strategic reset is needed—and what it would look like.
Ready for a Clearer, More Strategic Approach?
If you’re ready to move from scattered commitments to a community investment strategy that actually reflects what your company stands for, let’s start with a conversation.
No preparation required. No obligation.
This isn’t about doing more.
It’s about being more intentional—so your giving, partnerships, and community commitments support your business goals instead of competing with them.
Curious, but not ready for a conversation? Start with the Executive Briefing.
Simple. Convenient. No pressure.