Giving Compass' Take:

• This Twin Cities Business post discusses the history and landscape of corporate philanthropy in Minnesota, and where things may go in the future.

• As this article states, some Minnesota businesses are organizing themselves as public benefit corporations. What might other private companies around the country learn from their example?

• Here's more on why corporate giving is at a record high.

In 1976, when Jimmy Carter was waging a successful campaign for the White House, leaders of 23 Twin Cities businesses planted a stake in support of stakeholder capitalism. They formed the 5 Percent Club — publicly pledging to give 5 percent of their pre-tax earnings to community causes.

Their philanthropic endeavor lives on as the Minnesota Keystone Program, which creates peer support, and some pressure, for businesses to be good corporate citizens.

Historically, businesses made money and shared some of their profits with charities. Today, there is an evolution underway in philanthropy in which the corporation often is an actor in devising solutions to social problems. Some large companies have foundations, while others have well-developed corporate giving and volunteer programs. Instead of merely writing checks, they are forming partnerships with community nonprofits and leveraging their social and financial capital to make a greater difference in addressing pressing issues such as affordable housing.

Read the full article about the bottom line in corporate philanthropy by Liz Fedor at Twin Cities Business.