Beacon Ale House owners and staff at ACS preparing meal for Meals on Wheels.
Many business owners take social responsibility seriously, yet in many cases they can’t help but feel like they have little of value to give. Whether their charitable budget has been tapped out from previous donations, or their profit margins are already too thin, it can be a challenge to make a donation that matches an owner’s ambition. But what if I told you that you have so much more to offer than just dollar signs?
Now, I’m not about to go around saying that your favourite charity doesn’t need monetary gifts. Most do, and in most cases, every dollar counts. That’s why business owners like you, get phone calls every few months from people like me. But, let’s say you simply don’t have enough money that you feel will make the impact you’d like to see, or maybe you just want to be more involved in that impact than signing your name on a cheque allows. There are lots of opportunities for people like you. Sometimes, it just takes a bit of that entrepreneurial spirit that got you to where you are today to implement a new kind of corporate giving.
The extent to which organizations are ‘doing good’ for their communities and the world does matter to employees. – Sarah Ketvirtis, SESP Northwestern University
You don’t necessarily need to re-invent the wheel so to speak. You could implement a program that is as simple as allowing staff time off to volunteer for their favourite charity, or have offer dress down (or dress up) days, where staff pays a modest amount, with the funds raised then used for a donation. You could also use your unique skills and experience to support a local agency in an interesting way.
Take for example, Amherstburg’s Beacon Ale House. In late November, the owners contacted me with an idea. They were ready to donate some money to the charity I work for, but wanted to stretch that money as best they could. So they suggested providing their experience in the restaurant industry by making food for our Meals on Wheels clients on the Friday before Christmas. Of course, we agreed. They still used the money they would have donated anyways to purchase the ingredients for the meals, but they also showed up with a few members of their staff at 6:30 a.m. that Friday, to work alongside our own kitchen staff to prepare a delicious, unique meal for our clients. This act of kindness allowed us save our clients some money by waving their user fees while providing these clients with a scrumptious holiday meal.
No matter how you give, most non-profit/charitable agencies will be more than happy to welcome your support. In fact, showing this higher level of commitment and engagement to a cause can really inspire the staff and volunteers to continue doing the work that they do (I speak from experience). It shows them that they are not alone in their fight to succeed in their mission, and that others in their community really do care. More than that though, never doubt how much your expertise in your field might be able to help these volunteers and staff provide greater results to their stakeholders.
By partaking in corporate philanthropy and offering charitable giving programs, corporations allow their employees to be proud of the work their employer does as a company, and also the work it does for the community. – Adam Weinger, Triple Pundit
Of course, the benefits of this sort of creative generosity extend beyond the clients and charities receiving it. Their is a lot that the business can take from such experiences. For example, having your staff involved in corporate giving can improve moral and engagement. According to Canadian research and consultancy firm, A Great Place to Work, involving staff in corporate giving “provides an effective means to create this connection and position your organization as one that people want to work for.” Involving your staff in such things allows you to build and showcase a positive business culture.
Being creative in your approach to charity can also be great PR. In the example of the Beacon Ale House, their donation attracted the attention of several media outlets, allowing them to reach a wide audience that their regular advertising budget may not allow for.
Businesses are no longer wondering if they should offer an employee giving program, but rather, how they can maximize their efforts through corporate giving. – Ryan Scott, Forbes
Regardless of the size of your business or the size of your charitable budget, you can make a massive impact on a cause that matters to you. True, writing a cheque may be the easiest way to give back, and perhaps it is the best way for your business. But for many, it may be best to change the way we look at charitable giving. It’s not about giving a handout to organizations or people. It’s about committing yourself and your business to improving the community that supports you. When it comes down to it, a healthy, thriving community is usually good for business. No matter who you are, no how much you make, you can maximize your impact on a cause that you care about.
Click here to read this original article on LinkedIn.