By Dawn Chafe
© Jan 2009 Atlantic Business Magazine

A five-year-old puck handling phenom and a well known philanthropist. Together, they are the impetus behind the incredibly charitable culture at Impact Communications Group Inc., a Halifax-based company with less than 20 employees that has had one heck of an impact (pardon the pun) on the nonprofit community. Bruce Thompson, president of Impact Communications, says that his David-sized but Goliath-strong company's cash and inkind donations average $75,000 annually (although he admits it isn't unusual for them to top $100,000).

"I had a meeting with Charles Keating (the philanthropist in question) about 10 years ago," Thompson says. "I was really impressed that someone as incredibly important and busy as he was, would make time to offer business advice to someone like me. And it wasn't just me, he seemed to have time for everyone. I asked him about it, and he told me that whenever you give, you get back tenfold. It was a message that really resonated with me."

It resonated so much in fact, that Thompson and company have generously donated their time, money, experience and-in at least one instance-office space to 18 different organizations since 2002. "I probably shouldn't be saying this," he chuckles, "but I have a hard time saying no." What has he received in return for his magnanimity? "A very deep and profound sense of satisfaction," he says. "Our unique corporate culture has attracted a distinct group of caring, committed, creative and supportive employees to this organization. Working with people of this caliber is a reward in itself."

Thompson's commitment to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, however, is obviously much more than a special interest: it's a mission. Not only is Thompson president of the organization's Nova Scotia chapter and a volunteer at the national level, but his firm also shares its office space with the group and provides design and communications services-all free of charge.

Pamela Barnes, development coordinator with the Scotia Chapter of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and one of Impact's biggest fans, explains: Bruce's hockey loving son, Joshua, has CF. And while the precociously charming youngster has been hospitalized only once in five years, Thompson is determined to do whatever he can to ensure that his son's life is as healthy and active as possible. "That's what fathers do," he says.