CII is an industry association that actively participates in society at large, and as such, part of its job is helping members achieve their goals for social development. Companies that want to share their profits and give back to society are increasingly making corporate social responsibility a top priority. It is a well-established truth that businesses that are more socially engaged provide greater value to their stakeholders.

NGOs, the government, and civil society are partners of CII, which assists business in creating successful social development initiatives. It offers a variety of forums for members to discuss many topics, including public health, HIV/AIDS, microfinance, development of underdeveloped areas, gender equality, and others. It can organise events for its members, assist in locating reliable recipients for their contributions, or offer guidance and consulting on social development.