If you are looking for ways your company can give back, there are many areas where you can look for the perfect fit. Discuss these opportunities, and others, with your employees and you can find the perfect solution for your giving needs.
So your company wants to give back – but how? There are a variety of methods to spur your business's philanthropic involvement - maybe in ways you haven't thought of before. From a one-time online donation to full-fledged philanthropic partnership, there is a perfect charitable fit for your company. The suggestions below offer solutions for your company's giving needs, no matter your time commitment or budget level.
Thanks to the Internet, giving direct contributions from your company's budget has never been easier. Not only can you search for local or national charities of your choice online (try charitynavigator.org), but you can donate online as well.
Although online giving has a wide variety of advantages, the main one is its efficiency. With just the click of a mouse, your company is able to donate to multiple charities (and completely anonymously, if you wish). Tax records can be stored online in one location for easy access.
Your business did extremely well this quarter; how about paying it forward? Business-generated contributions allow you to celebrate your company's success within your community or even across the world. The simplest way to contribute in this manner is to allocate a percentage of revenue to the charity of your choice. By pledging a percentage of your returns, you are not only displaying your commitment to community progression, but also giving your employees an alternative goal to work toward.
If your company is in the manufacturing or retail sector, think about where your surplus product or slightly defective items end up. As an alternative to selling these wares to a secondhand buyer, or worse, tossing them out, consider donating them to a charity who will make use of them.
Charitable organizations are always on the lookout for event or fundraising sponsors. A sponsorship involves a donation to a specific event, cause, or fundraising opportunity. In return for your sponsorship, your company's name is typically attached to the cause in their advertising campaigns, along with the additional benefits such as a table or booth at the event. Sponsorships are a one-time, short-term agreement.
Looking for a more long-term commitment? After locating a trustworthy charity that encompasses your company's values, consider a partnership, which is generally a commitment for one year or more. Partnerships are beneficial for companies who wish to get involved deeply within a philanthropic organization, allowing employee volunteers more opportunities for hands-on exposure. The more your employees are able to relate to the cause on a personal level, the more they will be invested in it.
An in-kind contribution is a non-cash donation that can be given a cash value. In other words, it is materials, equipment or services that can be donated without charge to your organization. Examples of an in-kind donation include:
In-kind contributions are a great alternative to directly donating money, and they allow you to be creative with the skills and materials that are readily available in your company.
By supporting employees who volunteer on an individual basis, you create an environment where philanthropy is not only condoned, but rewarded. Work with your Human Resources department to brainstorm ways to encourage employees to get involved on their own. Suggest providing a certain number of paid time off hours strictly for volunteering, or offer the option of cashing in sick days for a charitable pledge. Instead of giving out gift cards for recognition rewards, consider offering a donation to a charity of the winner's choice.
A fantastic way to increase communication and camaraderie among departments is to organize interoffice fundraising activities. Think of creative ideas that will get your employees or coworkers involved and foster a friendly, open environment. Create a competitive atmosphere by pitting departments against each other to see who can donate the most funds. Introduce "Casual Mondays," which give employees an opportunity to dress down on Mondays for a charitable fee.
Too much negativity swirling around the office? Implement a "negativity jar," which forces offenders to drop a buck or two in the jar. The proceeds collected can be donated to your charity of choice, in turn creating a positive result from a negative situation.
If productivity drops around the afternoon, start up a charitable candy or bake sale to give employees a sugar kick to get through the end of the day. There are so many opportunities to engage your coworkers to give, but remember the number one rule: Keep it fun!
Businesses are constantly on the hunt for team-building and leadership development programs to strengthen their work force. Why not put a philanthropic spin on this idea? Your employees will be collectively energized by working toward a meaningful goal, and laboring side by side provides the opportunity to enhance office relationships.
Programs such as Habitat for Humanity (www.habitat.org) or KaBOOM! (www.kaboom.org) allow employees to use their collective physical strength and team-building skills to construct something tangible for a good cause. Without the pressure of formal networking, employee communication and productivity is strengthened and carried back to the office.
It is increasingly recognized that the development and use of consumer products can have a significantly negative impact on the environment. Redesigning your production and manufacturing process is an efficient and cost-effective way to manage these impacts. Determine how your products or services can be produced with a lower environmental impact across their life cycle.
If you are in the manufacturing or retail sector, investigate the sustainability of your products. As consumer environmental awareness increases, sustainable improvements will not only boost your competitiveness in the market, but maybe even your bottom line.
Turns out it is easy being green, especially at the office. A few simple changes to your office environment and routine can drive down energy costs while making that proverbial carbon footprint a little less deep. Encourage employees to optimize energy settings on their computers and to be sure to shut them down at the end of the day. Form a carpool group for the commute, and consider implementing a carbon offset purchasing program for corporate travel.
Support the purchase of recycled printer and copier paper, and make sure you have a small recycling bin under your desk. Remember, however, that no paper is the best paper. Store filing systems electronically instead of in a cabinet and cut down on the amount of documents you print.
If you're a coffee drinker, bring in a washable mug from home to use instead of those plastic foam cups in the break room. Notice the small opportunities for improvement that surround you, and be sure to communicate your ideas to your office manager or facilities department.
For more green office ideas, or for a wide selection of recycled office supplies, visit: http://www.thegreenoffice.com/.
One of the most common ways for companies to be philanthropic is to work with established charitable organizations. However, selecting the right charitable organization to fit with the culture of your company is often difficult.
Phrases like social responsibility, giving back to the community, and corporate philanthropy are showing up everywhere in recent years. Does sincere philanthropy really have a place in American business?
With thousands of gifts in stores and on the Internet to choose from, how do you decide where to spend your budget? What gifts will be most meaningful to the people you know? Should you really buy another coffee mug or calendar for your co-worker?
Quickly create professional-looking email campaigns that grab attention. Learn more about this and other partner offers.
|