The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday on a $500,000 gift from 21st Century Oncology Inc. to endow a research chair at The Cleveland Clinic of Weston, FL. On the surface this may seem like a symbiotic public/private partnership ... until you realize 21st Century also is a vendor of the Clinic. It provides radiation therapy to Cleveland Clinic cancer patients.

Both organizations claim the research gift has nothing to do with the business relationship. And that very well may be true. Or, then again, it may be something more. Potential legal issues aside, at the very best this is a gray area that calls into question the ethics of both organizations.

It also is a stark reminder that when it comes to social responsibility (and the broader umbrella of corporate citizenship) we often operate without an owner's manual. It takes on many forms and many labels. And, that can create gray areas, but it doesn't have to.

As more and more companies look for ways to demonstrate or differentiate their corporate citizenship, the boundaries will continue to be tested. That's beneficial. Those who will succeed must begin by looking within their organziations. Corporate citizenship is first and foremost an expression of corporate character. As such, it defines an organization and drives reputation. What it must be -- above all else -- is authentic to remain above reproach. Anything less erodes trust.

Ultimately, the stakeholders of 21st Century Oncology and The Cleveland Clinic will decide if this is an example of best intentions innocently gone awry or checkbook philanthropy that oversteps the boundaries of acceptable corporate character. Regardless, it reminds us that corporate citizenship can not be gray. Simply look at the Journal article ("Cleveland Clinic Defends Gift From a Vendor") to confirm that both organizations are being judged through black and white lenses. And so too, is every other corporation when it comes to corporate citizenship.