Regardless of size, companies can benefit when the community in which they do business thrives. For entrepreneurs, giving back to the community may be more than just a charitable act; it can also make good business sense. If you have been reluctant to get involved in philanthropic activities, fearing it could cost too much and distract your employees, think again. Community involvement can potentially strengthen your company directly by bringing in new business and indirectly by enhancing your company’s reputation and improving employee morale.
Crafting a charitable giving strategy for your business involves more than just selecting a worthy organization and writing a check. While you may get a tax deduction on cash donations, your business may get considerably more out of community involvement, especially if you carefully consider the causes you want to support and the organizations that would make appropriate partners for your company.
The type of charitable giving you choose may be influenced by the type of business you operate, the interests of your employees, and the needs of the community. Whether your company produces goods or provides services, organizations within your community could likely benefit from your support. A restaurant or caterer, for example, could choose to donate leftovers to a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. A construction company could donate materials and labor for building a community playground or renovating a youth center. Involvement in such worthy initiatives may be very effective in making a positive influence in the community.
To manage the impact of your charitable efforts, your company (or the organization your company is helping) may choose to distribute a press release or inform the local media about upcoming events and activities. This often results in free—and positive—publicity for your company. It may also be possible for the charity to help increase your company’s visibility through its marketing resources. When partnering with a nonprofit, you may be able to arrange for your company’s name and logo to appear on the organization’s advertising materials and website.
Ongoing charitable involvement can help attract new customers and engender loyalty within your existing customer base. A company that donates a portion of its profits to worthy charitable causes may gain a competitive advantage. It can generate goodwill among customers and enhance your company’s reputation to be associated with important causes in your community, such as helping abused children, improving literacy skills, or finding homes for abandoned pets.
Employee morale can also be improved through charitable initiatives. When deciding which causes your business will support, consider including your employees, especially if you want them to participate in events. By asking your employees what causes are close to their hearts, you may discover that some have personal passions that can prove valuable to a charitable campaign. Providing paid time off for charitable work may be considered a valuable benefit by your staff. Having your employees volunteer as a group can serve as a positive team-building exercise, as well as provide a welcome break from the work routine.
Another benefit of giving back to the community is the potential for networking with other local businesses. Through professional clubs or your local chamber of commerce, you may meet other business owners who may want to cooperate with you in organizing events. By participating in charitable events, you and/or your employees may forge valuable friendships with other business owners, staff, and the media.
Regardless of your company’s size and resources, you can find a way to make a difference in your community. Even minor gifts—such as allowing your facilities to be used for a school event or donating used equipment—can go a long way toward making your community a better place to live and do business. And that’s the bottom line.
BPGCOMMS-X
Important Disclosure
This article was prepared by Liberty Publishing, Inc.
October Market Update: Staying the Course
The S&P 500 lost 3.3% in the third quarter after sliding nearly 5% in September. Putting this into perspective, nothing really qualifies as out of the ordinary. Since 1950, the S&P 500 has historically declined in September 55% of the time, posting an average...
September Market Update: Navigating Market Setbacks
Financial markets lived up to their reputation during the month of August, which has a record for being difficult. On the first day of August, markets had to contend with a downgrade of U.S. long-term debt by the rating agency, Fitch. They attributed the...
Welcome to the CFP® club, Tom Young!
We are thrilled to announce that Wealth Advisor Tom Young, CFP® has obtained the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) certification. At TVAMP, Young focuses on crafting financial plans that are tailored to each client’s unique needs and goals. Tom says, “Earning the...
Staying Invested in a Tricky Market
Making economic forecasts and stock market predictions can be humbling. It’s especially tough when you expect stocks to go higher and get a big drop instead. The environment today is the opposite, but still tricky, as recession hasn’t followed the chorus of...
Better than expected first half 2023
As we move into the final half of 2023, we believe there’s value in reflecting on recent months gone by. Doing so can help crystallize key learnings and help chart a course through the rest of the year. Looking back on the first half of 2023, it’s...
Richard Gardner, MBA joins TVAMP
Knoxville, TN – TVAMP, a leading financial planning and investment management firm*, proudly announces the addition of Richard Gardner, MBA, to their esteemed team. Gardner's extensive background in finance (Home Federal Bank, Edward Jones) and commitment to client...
Shane Caldwell, CFP® Joins TVAMP
TVAMP is pleased to announce Shane Caldwell, CFP®, has joined their team as a Wealth Advisor. He is based in Johnson City, TN – where he resides. Shane joins TVAMP from Bank of Tennessee. Shane has 11 years of experience. He is a Certified Financial...
Good Financial Advice
At its essence, good financial advice never goes out of style. Its principles are permanent: It should be brave and true, and meant for you. At the same time, good advice must remain relevant in an ever-changing world.
Is the Debt Ceiling Bringing You Down?
So, what’s up with the U.S. debt ceiling? As potential threats loom large, we’re seeing articles in abundance, explaining where we’re at, how we got here, and what to expect next... We share in your frustration over the maddening lack of resolution to date....
First Quarter Update
The “I’s” had it across the first quarter, as inflation and interest rates continued to dominate popular financial headlines. That is, at least, until the Silicon Valley Bank meltdown took over, followed by the government’s swift reaction to the same. What...
Thanks for reading!
Become empowered with a plan.
Important Disclosures:
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which investment(s) may be appropriate for you, consult your financial professional prior to investing. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly.
The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax planning or legal advice. We suggest that you consult with a qualified tax or legal advisor.
Footnotes:
1 Women in business: advantages, challenges, and opportunities, Hult International Business School, https://www.hult.edu/blog/women-in-business-advantages-challenges-and-opportunities/
2 8 Major Challenges Women Face In Business, Forbes, https://www.forbes.com/sites/margueritacheng/2018/10/31/8-major-challenges-women-face-in-business/