Small Business owners need to consider adding charitable giving to their program

There are many ways to give back to your community, and the benefits are immense. Everyone wins and its a concept that needs to be considered.

Yes, I know things are tough, sales may be down, and cut backs may be your highest concern and charitable giving is probably  low on your list of must do’s,  but reconsider, as now is the time to re-evaluate your views and strategies around this issue.

There are many benefits that can be realized from a strategic giving program.

Its not just about writing a check, while that too is valuable there are better ways to give back to your community with a great return to your company as well..

What is needed is a strategic program that includes consideration of what charity, your employees role and participation and exactly how and what you will be contributing.

Here is what you need to consider:

1. Pick a charity that you or your employees have some passion for, or is somehow associated with your business mission. Be it the homeless, veterans, children, the sick, the elderly, whatever you or your employees feel is important to you.

2. Consider asking your employees to select the charity the business will focus on, this is a very important suggestion as it furthers the benefits the business owner will experience from this program it includes the employees in the program at an early and meaningful stage and will promote more ownership of the program by the employee base.

3. Understand that getting your employees involved is a primary requirement to maximize the positive results you will experience from an effective program.

a. Have employees donate their time and company time as well for the effort to perform some charitable task, be it donated  services such as building, repairing, painting, cleaning.

b. Create a specific event such as a race, a walkathon,  a door to door campaign, a bake sale,  a raffle , a  contest or a sporting event, a golf tournament, collecting canned foods for the local soup kitchen, or clothes or whatever is imagined.

The point is not to just write a check, although this too can be part of the program, but by involving your employees and the community, a number of important benefits can be realized. This includes a huge increase in company moral, a bonding between the employees as they work together, a huge good feeling experience shared by the entire company, a better feeling about working in this company, public good will as people in the community become aware of the good deeds being done by this company and these employees.

Appreciation certificates, t-shirts, time off, are all examples of follow through the company can provide to continue to experience the benefits of the event or the program, making certain everyone involved is appreciated and supported and recognized for their efforts to contribute to the cause.

Of course the local market area will be aware of the program as the company will publicize and promote the program soliciting local people to contribute time and effort to the program thus enlarging the scope of the event to include the local community as well.

This will result in greater revenue as the local community will have more respect for your company and the goods and services you offer and will want to do business with your company because of the goodwill that emerges out of your charitable activity.

There is no limit to the benefits received including those received by the ultimate recipients of the charitable activity, the employees and the business itself…everyone wins. Even if it costs the company a sizable investment for the total package, the results are worth it in the long run. Especially if the program is repeated annually it becomes an annual event that continues to expand and develop greater results at all levels.

Its a public relations bonanza, a huge uplift for the employees and bonding experience for the company and a great experience for the entire community.

Yes it will result in added revenues as the community embraces the business in recognition and appreciation for its efforts.

Of course the target of the charitable effort will be the ultimate recipient of the benefits which is all good. Everyone wins. Do it, it works.