There are those who say that corporate philanthropy is done because of the benefits to the business and not out of any true sense of charity. I don’t know about that. Certainly, there are business benefits to being charitable. However, there are also business benefits to retaining earnings, spending more on research and innovation, and increasing marketing expenditures. I think the bottom line is that a company is going to spend money and when they choose to spend in a way that benefits humanity, we ought to be happy about that regardless of any ideas we have about purity of motives.
I think Rolex is a big reason I feel this way. The company is going to do very well regardless of any goodwill they gain from charitable contributions or outreach. Nonetheless, they do a great deal of humanity. They do this even though very few people know about the extent of their work. A great example is the Rolex Perpetual Arts Initiative, a program that supports the arts and the passing of knowledge to future generations.
The RPAI’s goals include celebrating excellence in the arts, preserving artistic heritage, and connecting the past, present, and future in the world of art. The primary goal is inspiring future generations and passing on a passion for the arts. Rolex supports major cultural events in music, architecture, and cinema as well as artists who reinvent their specific artistic disciplines.
One of the most powerful aspects of the initiative is the mentoring program. It pairs emerging artists with established mentors. Mentors and protégés spend a minimum of six weeks together over a two-year period. Rolex financially supports protégés and also provides travel costs and other expenses during this time. After the mentoring period, Rolex continues to promote the protégés' work. There’s something romantic and archetypical about “starving artists.” I like that Rolex thinks keeping them fed and secure so that future generations can enjoy their art is a better idea. How about you?
If you’re looking for a pre-owned Rolex in San Diego, I’d love to help. Give me a call and we can arrange a showing for you. Or you can drop by my showroom in La Jolla. If we don’t have what you’re looking for, it’s a good bet we can find it for you. So, reach out. You’ll be glad you did.
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