Murphy Oil and the El Dorado Promise: A Case of Strategic Philanthropy

Abstract

This paper illustrates the use of corporate strategic philanthropy by applying the actions of one
company, Murphy Oil Corporation, to the model of strategic philanthropy proposed by Porter
and Kramer (2002). It is shown how Murphy Oil Corporation’s creation of the El Dorado
Promise college scholarship program enhances the company’s factor conditions within its
competitive context and is an act of strategic philanthropy.