Via On Philanthropy (who didn't include a link to the survey results, unfortunately, costing me valuable seconds to google the report), we learn of a new study from Millennium Promise and CareerBuilder.com. The findings point to a core belief of American employees that our corporate philanthropic resources should be devoted to alleviating poverty, particularly in Africa:

Almost three-quarters of American employees think their companies should help people living in extreme poverty around the world, according to the new Millennium Promise/CareerBuilder.com Global Giving Survey. The 6,823 private-sector American employees surveyed by Harris Interactive overwhelmingly embraced philanthropic activities by employers, listing extreme poverty and Africa as high priorities.

“The survey is wonderful news. American workers believe it’s important for their companies to contribute to solving global problems, especially in Africa,” said Dr. Jeffrey D. Sachs, President and Co-Founder of Millennium Promise. “America’s companies have wonderful technologies, dedicated workers, and the extraordinary opportunity to make a major contribution to the end of poverty. Companies that get involved will help to build peace, prosperity, and yes, future markets.”

Seventy-two percent of workers said their companies should help people living in extreme poverty around the world if they have the resources to do so, and the vast majority 60% -- think that Africa needs the most corporate aid. More than a third of employees surveyed said they were more inclined to work for a company that contributes to charities than to one that doesn’t.

As On Philanthropy notes, there isn't a comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness challenge behind advocating for such a focus. Respondents didn't have a solid understanding of the extent of the poverty, or the ways America has been trying -- and largely failing -- to affect it for decades. Rightly, the need for a better foundation of education about these issues is one key recommendation.

I was struck by the fact that the findings still point to a big conflict for some Americans between helping those in poverty overseas and handling our own problems domestically. While I don't have a personal conflict about this -- I've long advocated for a comprehensive approach to these problems -- I have to admit there are times when our domestic issues make it difficult to argue the case for working around the world. This week, as we mark the 2-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's destruction of New Orleans and much of the Gulf Coast, Americans are reminded of our domestic perils. Additional news about increases in the number of Americans -- and American children -- without health insurance can make the problems of Africans seem far away.
Photo by Flickr user Tracy O used by Creative Commons license.