Overview
Supporting local charities and/or local non-profit groups that are meaningful to you and to your customers is a great way to stay connected to your community.
See the Charity & Community Give-Back Guide for the comprehensive approach to this topic.
Details
Selecting a charity / non-profit partner can be fun, exciting, and rewarding for all involved.
By the way, most charities are registered as non-profit organizations. You’ll find the terms charity and non-profit almost interchangeable.
Use the Community Assessment portion of the Step-By-Step Guide to help you identify the local charities and non-profit organizations in your area.
Consider choosing one or two charity partners for all your efforts. This can help in directing your Donations and Volunteering, and create a “charity platform” for your business.
Suggestions
- Look for charities that your customers are interested in.
- What types of organizations are your employees excited about?
- Make sure the charity is a match for your company. For example, a pet store is a perfect fit to partner with a local animal shelter. A bar or pub partnering with Alcoholics Anonymous – while a great cause – is confusing.
- Pick a charity that can use your help. This sounds obvious, but – for example – if you’re a retailer who can donate products as prizes for a charity auction, that’s a great fit. On the other hand, donating food is only helpful if that is what a charity needs.
- Pick A Small Charity – If you’re only able to raise a few hundred dollars (which is still great, by the way) that money will be much more appreciated by a smaller, local charity. Pick a charity in proportion to your ability to give. It’ll feel nice to know you’re making a difference no matter what size donation you’re able to give.
Resources in the United States
GuideStar
Use the Guidestar website to verify if the organization you wish to donate to is a non-profit, registered as a 501(c)(3).
Great Non-Profits Website
GreatNonProfits.org is an awesome resource to find a non-profit. Put in your zip code and check off your areas of interest – from animals to water – and you’re “matched” with a great list of resources.
Google Search
Use Google to search for your city name and “charity” or “donations” or “giving.” For example: “Seattle Charities” / “Seattle Giving”
Resources in the UK
The Charity Commission for England and Wales has all the information you need to find charity information. Use their “Find A Charity” link to search.
