Do you want to start supporting a charitable organization but have no idea which one?
If yes, then you are far from alone.
There are numerous benefits to supporting a non-profit organization for your business, such as boosting your reputation and attracting new customers, but you can only maximize these if you choose the right one.
Whether you think that you would like to support a national charity or you think a local one
might be a better choice, read on to find out how to choose the right charity for your business.
Carry out research
The first thing you need to do is research charities, both national ones and those that are closer to home. Take a look at the work they do and what they need help with.
Remember that you should pick a charity that not only you can help but that can also help
you as a business. This means that you need to look for charitable organizations that relate
to the products or services that you offer.
It can also be a good idea to talk to your employees to find out if there are any charities that they are passionate about, as well as your customers or clients.
Meet with potential partners
Once you have a shortlist of charities that you think you might like to support, the next step is to arrange a meeting with them.
Of course, you can always just write a cheque to your chosen charity or incorporate them
into your end of year giving strategy. However, if you want to be more involved, then you
need to speak to the charity directly.
Make sure that you ask your chosen charities about their goals and plans for the future so
you can determine if, and how, you can be involved.
Consider credibility
The charity you decide to align your business with will have a direct impact on your business and your customers so you need to choose wisely. You need to make sure that they are a credible organization and that they have integrity.
Take the time to check out their social media pages to see what people are saying about
them. Are they happy with where their donations are being spent? Is the charity in question transparent about where its funds are used?
It can also be useful to look at recent press coverage to see if there are any red flags or
issues that could have a negative effect on your brand.
If you are in any doubt about the credibility of a particular charity, then don’t align your brand with them.
Final thoughts
Supporting or partnering with a charitable organization can help to improve employee morale, boost your brand reputation, and increase your standing in the local community.
However, this is only the case if you choose the right one. Make sure that you think very
carefully about how you can help a charity but also about how they can help you.
