Still serving strong

If you track down Jim Findley and John Davies, the founders of Findley Davies Inc., today, you’ll find them both still active in the community — Findley with several nonprofits and Davies as the executive director of a charitable organization.

And if you look further inside the full-service human resources consulting firm that they launched in 1969, you’ll find the same service commitment resonating with their associates. Rob Rogers, the current principal and chairman, keeps the firm’s values grounded in community giving.

The firm’s commitment to community service is written into its history and mission statement, which are passed along to all new employees. But it’s really revealed through action every time one of Findley Davies’ 30 associates from the Cleveland office gets involved in one of about 45 local charities.

The firm gives both time and finances at corporate and individual levels. For example, as a United Way of Greater Cleveland Pacesetter company for 10 years straight, it engages in an annual campaign by exposing employees to a different United Way agency each year. Jeans days and in-office breakfasts serve as motivators and fundraisers as employees are challenged to hit 100 percent participation and beat the prior year’s contribution.

Employees also donate money for other events, from the American Liver Foundation 5k walk to the Countryside Conservancy Farm ‘n Barn Bike Tour to the Junior Achievement Bowl-a-Thon.

Associates give their skills to the community, too. One served on the search committee to recruit a new executive director for the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center and another as a member of the Bay Presbyterian Church Promise Choir. Rogers serves as the board president of the Cleveland Zoological Society, where he was involved in the first ever joint strategic planning with Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to align core values and shape a new vision. He also led a $25 million capital campaign to build a new elephant exhibit.

On a corporate level, Findley Davies offers discounted benefit consulting services to nonprofits. It contributes its physical space, as well, like when it donated a conference room and lunch to Transitional Housing, a United Way agency. Through its partnership with United Way, representatives from different agencies also come in regularly to speak about their services and expand the firm’s knowledge of its charitable options.

How to reach: Findley Davies Inc., (216) 875-1900 or www.findleydavies.com