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Help Yourself by Helping a Good Cause

It is a good thing to assist community organizations, and it is worthwhile to do so for no other reason than it is the right thing to do. However, it is also possible for your business to do well while you are doing good.

Here are just a few ways you can contribute to worthy organizations while also helping your business.

Volunteer to help the causes in which you believe by offering your services or by serving on the board. Offering your services gives you a chance to show what you can do, and helps to build your portfolio. For example, a graphic artist might design a brochure for a favorite charity, or an attorney could help a new group obtain non-profit status. Ask for an acknowledgment of your contribution in the newsletter or other communications. The graphic artist might receive a credit, such as, “Design contributed by MSJ Graphics,” with contact information, printed on the brochure.

Serving on the board brings you into contact with business and community leaders. These might be people it would be hard to get an appointment to see, but by working side-by-side with them, you have a unique opportunity to build relationships.

Organizations are always looking for ways to raise funds. Schools and non-profits sell gift wrap, books, candy, gifts and more. Do you have a product that could raise money for them while bringing you increased profits? Your product should have broad appeal (so it can be marketed to as many people as possible) or should be targeted to the group (for example, products made in school colors for a school fund raiser).

You must give a steep discount to the organization, and you should aim to make at least a small profit while doing so. Your discounts may be on a sliding scale, based on the dollar volume of sales, or you could offer a flat discount such as 50%. A product that can be inexpensively mass produced, with a high perceived value, has great potential. If possible, include information about your company (at least name and phone number or web site) on the product so that customers can contact you later to buy more.

Both service businesses and retail establishments can hold fund raisers by donating all of the proceeds from a specified day to a charity. Great Harvest Bread bakeries around the country have partnered with local groups on fund raisers. The franchise donates labor and materials for the day, with all sales proceeds going to a selected charity. The charity helps to promote the event, getting publicity and attention for the bakery. Your donation can be all of the proceeds from a single day or event, or a percentage of income or profits over an extended period.

Mention your willingness to work on fund raising in your marketing materials. Someone who is at your web site may not have come there to find a fund raiser, but if they belong to a group they may have an interest in partnering with you.