Keeping an organization on its feet takes time, focus, and energy. It can be tough to devote yourself to much else. With the holidays in the rearview and 2020 sprawling out ahead, the idea of giving back as an organization may not be front and center, even if you’d like it to be. Sometimes there just isn’t enough time to do it all. To help with that legwork, we’ve compiled a few charitable avenues that won’t reroute you too far out of your way during a busy first quarter.
1. Join a Popular Fundraiser
There are lots of ways to get involved, but we're focusing on great options that don’t require a ton of extra work from you:
Option 1: The Participation Route
There's certainly no requirement in corporate philanthropy that says your business has to plan and host its own event. At least not while there are so many events that already exist to bring people together and give back to the community. Street race fundraisers, for example, are a classic way to raise money for a wide variety of charities. Look into local options where you live, choose a cause to support, and start spreading the word. bake sales are another popular and well-received fundraising event option.
So, go ahead and tack that charity street race or pie sale flyer up on the break room wall, and see what happens!
*Another fun option in Columbus, Ohio is Pelotonia
Pelotonia is a 3-day bicycle ride event (routes ranging from 25 to 200 miles) that raises funds to aid in cancer research. Sure, you may spend a few extra hours training over the summer if you pick one of the more arduous routes, but that’s hardly time lost. Exercise is linked to increased productivity, so incentivising the event for your staff can have all sorts of benefits.
Annual registration typically begins in February, so plan accordingly to gauge employee interest, tune up that Schwinn, and get ready to kick cancer's butt, baby!
Option 2: The Sponsorship Route
Not into all the physical effort? No worries. Your business may want to think about sponsoring an event. And there are plenty to choose from. It may be a little obvious, but hey... gift giving is a love language after all. Link up with an event or charity you want to support, and you may just stumble upon a mutually beneficial arrangement.
2. Plant Trees
Why not put a seed in the ground through TeamTrees or a similar organization? It could be as simple as committing to plant one tree for every product purchased during a period of time. With a lot of our forestlands in danger, this is a simple way to support a stronger, healthier international community.
Several companies are setting an example and giving back to the community by planting a tree for every product sold. Will your business join the list?
3. Food Rescue US
At first glance, Food Rescue US might seem an odd fit for this list. The app allows individuals to pick up volunteer food deliveries from restaurants. Essentially, the app is like an Uber for volunteering. Volunteers pick up deliveries on the app during time slots that work for them. Then they simply roll over to the designated restaurant, cafe, or grocery, pick up a giant bag or two of fresh leftovers, and drive that delivery to a nearby food pantry. If you’ve been wanting to volunteer but just don’t have the time, Food Rescue US is a really easy way to make a really big difference. A run can take as little as 10 minutes, and seeing a line of hungry and grateful folks lets volunteers know just how much their efforts matter.
Scheduling a corporate philanthropy day with Food USA or even generally incentivizing employees to run pickups through the app is an excellent way to give back to the community through tangible and direct food assistance. There's also an option to donate to Food Rescue US directly.
4. Point
For a wider range of corporate volunteering options right at your fingertips, consider Point. The app was created to make volunteering "just as easy as ordering a pizza," and with its "corporate social responsibility" hub, the sky is the limit for employees to give back to the community.
Point empowers companies to track employee volunteering data through a variety of reporting options, browse their 100% tax-deductible donation registry of specific needs, and even participate in virtual volunteering events.
For more on the vision behind Point, check out CEO, Madison Mikhail's interview with Forbes.
5. Offer Discounts for Important Causes
Is there a cause or a particular industry that meshes well with your company's mission? Consider offering your products or services at a special rate as an ongoing form of corporate philanthropy. By way of example, Chek Creative offers a 25% discount to nonprofits. This aligns with our belief that community-focused organizations deserve access to professional web development just like companies that keep their profits. So depending on what your company values, produces, or fights, there may be some great ways you can implement this type of approach to giving back.
How Will Your Team Approach Corporate Philanthropy This Year?
Be it through volunteer work, business charity donations, or a combination of the two, corporate philanthropy represents a wonderful opportunity to enact positive change in our own backyards. As we've touched on, that doesn't mean giving back to the community has to derail your company for an entire day. Every little bit helps.
Sure, it would be great if the whole office could take a day to serve at the food kitchen, but that may not be feasible for every organization. Strengthening our communities is about giving back in whatever ways we can. Corporate philanthropy comes in many forms, so we encourage anyone interested to get creative and explore approaches that align with their schedule, budget, and values.
Cheers to you for doing your part, and best of luck out there!
