Capital Region Cares
“ Impact investing can only be successful if it comes from the heart .”
Dale Carlsen CEO , Ticket to Dream Foundation will draw in new businesses and continue Downtown ’ s renewal .
“ We ’ re a membership-based organization , and I believe this investment supports our membership because it invests in the Sacramento region ,” Roughton says . “ It ’ s going to create jobs , it ’ s going to expand business opportunities , and as our region thrives , our membership thrives .”
Unlike a retailer or financial institution , Roebbelen Contracting isn ’ t the type of company the average consumer interacts with on a regular basis , though it ’ s been providing construction services in the greater Sacramento area for more than 60 years . But President and CEO Ken Wenham says his company ’ s motivation behind funding the $ 34 million sports and meeting complex in Roseville now known as the Roebbelen Center @ the Grounds ( formerly the Placer County Fairgrounds ) wasn ’ t based on the idea that putting its name on a marquee would increase sales .
“ In reality , it simply came down to wanting to continue the awesome relationship we forged with Placer Valley Tourism ,” Wenham says . “ We didn ’ t want the relationship to end at ( the ) ribbon cutting . This is also an opportunity to bring attention to the construction resources that are available in the region by locally owned contracting firms ... When profit is earned by locally owned contractors , the profit is retained and invested locally , which can have a dramatic impact on our community .”
Impact investments can also come in the form of corporate social responsibility and sustainability programs . For example , manufacturers that require large volumes of water can commit to environmentally friendly efforts like cleaning local rivers or recycling to reduce the amount of water they use .
“ Companies are starting to realize there is gold in the fields of sustainability ,” says Charley Ansbach , president of fundraising firm Ansbach & Associates who has 30 years of experience managing successful capital and major gift campaigns . He says that companies that make internal investments to improve sustainability to demonstrate their corporate responsibility are more likely to generate public goodwill , which can in turn lead to profitability . “ What can be wrong with zero waste ?” he says . “ That ’ s just smart business operation .”
Carlsen is continuing to be smart by supporting causes he believes in . He made a multimillion-dollar donation to Sac State in 2017 to provide seed funding for what is now called the Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship — although he notes he originally didn ’ t want his name on it , but Sac State President Robert Nelsen convinced him that highlighting his involvement would help the university raise more money to support and grow the center . Carlsen is also the CEO of the Ticket to Dream Foundation , an organization dedicated to creating hope and opportunity for foster children across the country . ( During his ownership of Sleep Train , 10 % of the advertising budget was set aside to support foster kids through ads that didn ’ t include any mention of sales .)
“ Impact investing can only be successful if it comes from the heart ,” Carlsen says . He suggests finding a cause you believe in , making it a primary focus for the company and its employees , and determining what you can use — product , advertising time , community service , even leveraging vendors — to drive it . If you do it right , the return will be there . “ It was a leap of faith for us ,” he says , “ but I will tell you , the more you give , the more you will get back .”
Ken Smith is a freelance writer , public relations consultant and video producer who is also managing editor of Sierra Sacramento Valley Medicine magazine . More at kdscommunications . com .
24 comstocksmag . com | 2021