Some companies and outdoor-advertising firms donate free billboard space to nonprofit groups, providing valuable exposure for their brand and works.

The Chronicle of Philanthropy reported Jan. 25 that a Minnesota company, Medtronic, a medical-device maker, has donated space on the billboard on its corporate headquarters building to more than a dozen nonprofits. The billboard is seen by an estimated 132,000 commuters each day.

The billboard was created by the Medtronic Foundation specifically so it could be used by local nonprofits. Paying for similar billboard space would otherwise cost $15,000 to $25,000 per month.

Some groups used the billboard to promote their activities or call for volunteers, while others used the space to thank supporters for their past assistance.