Can you relate to the common reactions to a nonprofit representative requesting funds or in-kind donations from your business? Having been on both sides of such a request I can tell you some of the common scenarios I have seen when someone in various articulated words expresses, “Will you give to my cause?”
- The “Yes,” because the tax write off sounds great
- The “Yes,” because your company genuinely want to help
- The “No,” because your company needs a return on the investment
- The “No,” because the values of your business & the nonprofit don’t align
What’s the problem? All of those responses but the final one fall into the trap of feeling that for-profits need to pump funding and life into nonprofit organizations while there is ONLY a simply tax write off as a benefit to a business.
In reality nonprofits and for-profits should mutually benefit one another and like a healthy dating relationship, they should flourish into a thriving marriage which benefits both parties immensely.
TAKE A DIFFERENT LOOK AT NONPROFITS & MAKE THE NON-PROFIT GROW YOUR BUSINESS
When a business has passed on my request to join our nonprofit’s cause to help foster and adoptive families, I have been satisfied with the response when I see that our values do not align. Just like in a dating situation, the marriage wouldn’t be beneficial to anyone and it just isn’t a good match.
However, I am somewhat disappointed when I might get a positive response only to know that a nonprofit is simply being used for the tax write off benefits. It’s not making use of the full potential of the relationship and there are so many missed opportunities to grow a business.
What potential can a nonprofit unlock for your business?
- Improve public image.
Imagine that you’re trying to land a contract or deal with a big client but all of your competitors are in the same room attempting to seal the deal as well as you. What sets you apart from the other companies working just as hard at a great rate and providing excellent quality? In the case of working with nonprofit, Transfiguring Adoption, letting your potential clients know that a sale made with your company simultaneously helps foster children will not only push your quality but make a sale with your company fiscally/morally responsible.
- Increase media coverage.
Normally, an ad for your company on a news venue can hit your budget in a big way. However, talking to the news media about how you’re helping area foster and adoptive kids have a more successful future (or whatever the nonprofit’s cause) is a great FREE human interest story. These stories tend to engage your local community, get the attention of potential clients, and the media venue typically still talk about the services your business offers during the piece.
- Boost employee engagement.
Retaining quality employees is important to any business. If your company can show that they are dedicated helping at-risk youth and local families (or again whatever the cause of the nonprofit) through corporate giving programs, you’re more likely to attract and retain valuable, hardworking, and engaged employees.
- Attract and retain investors.
When companies donate money to nonprofit organizations and encourage their employees to volunteer their time, they demonstrate to investors that they care about more than just profits.
Start Dating Nonprofits
It’s time to get acquainted with the causes in your community, and the nonprofits addressing the issues your business cares about.
With over 437,000 children in the American foster care system, and approximately 118,000 children in America alone waiting to be adopted, it is certain that there are families impacted by trauma in your area. America continues to see 50% of newly licensed foster parents quit in the first year, because they do not feel equipped to handle trauma-caused behaviors.
Would you like to change the future of children in your area? You can use the donation link below if you would like to impact families through a one-time decision. If you would like to harness the full capabilities of a relationship with Transfiguring Adoption, we invite you to email our president, Darren Fink, and simply say, “My business needs a date,” to get the first “date,” set up.
Click here to start a “date”: [[email protected]]
Click here to donate: [DONATE]
