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Barb Houser, left, and Crystal Mapp with KPM CPAs PC are among those who believe in the philanthropic spirit at the 52-year-old business.
SBJ photo by Wes Hamilton
Barb Houser, left, and Crystal Mapp with KPM CPAs PC are among those who believe in the philanthropic spirit at the 52-year-old business.

2018 Economic Impact Awards Philanthropic Business of the Year: KPM CPAs PC

Paying it Forward

Posted online

Whether it’s a post on social media, a gift of sweat equity or dollars, giving back has been a constant tenet throughout KPM CPAs PC’s more than 50 years in business.

But to be more effective and better engage employees, says KPM Marketing Director Crystal Mapp, the accounting firm organized its philanthropic spirit into KPM CARES, which stands for Community Action Requires Engaged Societies.

“KPM CARES was created to shine a light on local issues and use our status as a community leader to effect change,” she says of the program started in 2015. “This program has helped to maximize resources, allowing us to more efficiently collaborate and ultimately led to increased engagement and more impactful results.”

In 2017, the program provided $195,400 in donations and 1,970 hours of volunteer time to 116 organizations. KPM has supported nonprofits such as United Way of the Ozarks, Cents of Pride, The Kitchen Inc., Harmony House and The Salvation Army.

In addition to monetary donations or gifts of time to support nonprofits, KPM uses its platform on its website, social media channels and internal communications to highlight its nonprofit clients.

“The main thing is helping our clients,” says shareholder Barb Houser. “How can we best showcase who they are to inform our clients and those who follow us with what these organizations are doing in the community?”

Whether it’s a post about the nonprofit’s mission or how KPM employees have given back to a cause, Mapp says the Clients with a Cause program means a lot to the nonprofits involved.

“With so many nonprofits, sometimes it’s hard to cut through the noise,” she says. “I know they’re very appreciative.”

Mapp recalls when KPM employees raised funds to support Preferred Family Healthcare’s women’s support services. The group had cupcakes for the representatives of KPM when they came to the nonprofit’s office to make their donation, take a tour and share how they had supported the group on social media.

“I have never seen a group more excited about someone helping us get their name out there,” she says.

Two other programs under KPM CARES are Community Cash, which allocates dollars to each employee to spend on a nonprofit they care about, and Membership Matters, which allows time for employees to pursue nonprofit service and board leadership opportunities.

“I’ve worked for KPM for a little over 20 years,” Houser says. “It was so exciting for me to go directly from college, having that volunteer aspect that I did, to a firm that encouraged from day one that I can still do that in the community.

“Is there anything better than getting a group of individuals together to volunteer for half a workday?”

The philanthropic culture also helps in recruitment efforts, as many employees and prospects say giving back is important to them.

“They’re really interested in our community focus. They want hands-on volunteer opportunities and they really want to work for a company that is, quite frankly, good,” Mapp says. “Good people with good hearts.”

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