|  |
|
| |
If
this message is not displaying properly, click
here to launch your browser.
For a Print friendly version click
here. |
|
|
Sustainability
Working with Businesses
During a Downturn
Mid-February 2009 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| |
Dear “Working”
Colleague,
The
financial climate is challenging for both businesses
and for those organizations that depend on their support.
Now is the time for your organization to examine the
ways that charities and companies can help each other.
Click on the titles at the right to learn how to…
Build a Business Partnership
Become a Business Asset
Tailor
Your Requests for Today’s Business Climate
Do
you have questions or ideas about tapping into businesses?
Contact us through Sustainability@CampaignConsultation.com
for more information. You can still access previous
issues of On-the-Go eTA by clicking on the back issues
at the bottom of the page.
Build
a Business Partnership
Understanding
is the bridge to strong business partnerships. Too often,
businesses and nonprofits think that they are on totally
opposite sides of a street. In fact, they share some of
the same characteristics and are impacted by the same
social and economic conditions. Both are important to
the local or greater community.
The following chart may be useful in comparing profit
purposed businesses with those that exist as social profit
organizations:
They’re
Different… |
| Social
Profit Organizations |
Business
|
| Mission
driven |
Profit
driven |
| Works
to decrease the need for its services |
Works
to grow its market for its goods or services |
| Seeks
gifts from individuals, foundations, businesses,
government sources, etc. |
Sells
products and services to individuals and other businesses,
organizations, government, etc. |
| Its
mission benefits the "greater good" of
the community, society, or the world. |
Exists
for the financial benefit of its owners, shareholders,
and employees. |
| It
does not pay taxes, and uses its funds only for
the mission for which it was formed. |
Pays
taxes on its profit and can expand its products
or services as it wishes. |
| When
a nonprofit goes out of business, its remaining
assets must be given to another nonprofit. |
When
a for-profit organization goes out of business,
its assets can be liquidated and the proceeds distributed
to the owners or the shareholders. |
| Changing
mission takes approval of Board of Directors and
can be time consuming and have a receding impact
on fundraising. |
Can
change focus rather quickly to take advantage of
new markets. |
| Overseen
by a board of directors. |
Controlled
by shareholders who purchase stock in the assets
of the company. |
| Members
of the board of directors vote to elect new board
members. Each member only has one vote and membership
does not give them an ownership right in the assets
of the organization. |
Shareholders
of the corporation vote to choose directors of the
corporation and owners of multiple shares have multiple
votes. |
They’re
similar… |
|
Both
are generally incorporated so that assets are
held and business is transacted in the name of
the corporation rather than the individuals involved.
|
|
Both
are managed and run by the people who are employed
by the corporation. |
| Both
are involved in producing a good or service for
society. |
|
To
survive, both need to generate or bring at least
as much revenue as they spend on operations. |
|
Both
need to inform their constituents of their goods
and services. |
|
Both
need to respond to needs in their markets or communities.
|
|
Both
need to engage in sound and ethical management
practices to gain and maintain the support of
their constituents whether they are selling a
product or providing a service. |
Become
a Business Asset
Your
social profit organization does not need to feel it is
always on the receiving end when it comes to partnerships
with businesses. Studies show that people in the U.S.
have a more positive opinion of companies that support
the causes they care about. In fact, 65% would switch
to a brand associated with a good cause, price and quality
being equal. When presenting your case for business support,
be certain that the business knows that you can impact
their bottom line.
Let businesses know about the benefits companies experience
from a healthy relationship with your organization, such
as:
- Enhanced corporate image and reputation that leads to customer loyalty
- Increased brand awareness and recognition of products associated with reputable social profit organizations
- Competitive advantage in recruiting and retaining employees who express pride in their employer
- Positive relationships with community consumers
- Broader media attention
Consider providing these opportunities for business supporters:
- Display sponsor logos on event banners and advertisements.
- List corporate donors in a special category on your
website and in your annual report.
- Create a plaque for public recognition in a lobby.
- Host a breakfast for local business leaders to gain
an understanding of your program and also provide
an opportunity for networking.
- Include a silent auction at a fundraising event
that will give businesses an opportunity to showcase
their products and services.
- Send a donor appreciation gift to employees, such
as cookies to a small local business or a framed picture
of employees on a volunteer project, and boost employee
morale
- Provide specialized training in your area of expertise
during a lunch hour or at a company retreat
- Schedule a volunteer workday with employees wearing
company t-shirts. (It can be fun to get out of the
office.)
- Offer yourself as a community expert to help a new
business find its niche.
Tailor
Your Requests for Today’s Business Climate
Businesses
that are as cash-strapped as social profit organizations
may be less inclined to make cash gifts this year. However,
many businesses are still excellent sources of support
for your program or project. Evaluate your budget and
where you spend money, look for ways you can cut or
eliminate that cost with help from a local business.
Here are some alternate ways cash-strapped businesses
can provide some support to your progrm:
Products
Many business that sell products have an overstock these
days. They may be willing to provide you with what you
need in order to clear space for more profitable and
fresher products. In addition to office supplies, look
for products your programs can use or that you pass
on to your service clients.
Volunteers
Many larger companies have policies encouraging their
employees to volunteer in the community and even provide
paid release time for them to accomplish this. Smaller
businesses see a benefit in having employees seen in
the community, too. It’s advertising and it’s
good business. It is a networking opportunity and also
demonstrates that they are good corporate citizens.
Don’t forget to consider business leaders when
seeking leadership volunteers. Their advice and their
connections are valuable.
Services
Businesses that sell services do not have products for
your use, but they can be excellent sources for resources
that would increase your budget if you were forced to
pay for them. There are hundreds of services a company
can provide. Sometimes that service may not be their
first line of business. Look for large corporations
that have legal, design, printing, or technology departments
and ask if they would be willing to help you out.
Click here for a partial list of services
you can seek from a business and for some other ideas
for what to ask of businesses that can improve your
work and help your bottom line.
Let
us know
Contact
Sustainability@CampaignConsultation.com
We would be happy to answer questions or to give you
more support.
Thank you for your interest in On-The-Go eTA. We encourage
you to send this and other issues of OTG
eTA
to friends and colleagues who would benefit from the
information. Also, if you’re on information-overload,
you may request email
removal.
Otherwise OTG e-TA will be back soon with another edition.
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Tailor
Your Requests for Today’s Business Climate (cont.)
Here
are some additional ways for businesses to give without cash:
Services
Here is a partial list of services you can seek from local businesses:
|
Design
(architectural, graphics, website, etc.)
Printing
Editing,
Research,
Professional, financial, medical, legal (don’t just
look to law firms. Large corporations also have legal
departments which may be willing to provide this service
to a nonprofit.)
Technical (computer, etc.)
Management
Human resources expertise,
Transportation
Facilities construction and maintenance (painting, organizing,
plumbing, electrical, carpentry, etc.)
Beauty & grooming services for clients
Automotive repair & maintenance
Skilled trade
Other |
Space
Seek out unused space for temporary or long-term use. Ask to
hold an event or mount an exhibit at a local business that has
appropriate space. This can benefit the business, too, by drawing
potential customers to their site.
Training
Like services, companies can provide training for the work you
or your volunteers may do. Ask a painting contractor if he will
instruct a team of volunteers who will be sprucing up your community;
or ask a professional in health care to instruct volunteers
about signs of eating disorders for those working with teens.
Resources
eOrganizer
eOrganizer is an interactive clearinghouse for the latest
and greatest web instruments of change. This GIZMO shows you
how to maximize free and inexpensive online tools and resources
to mobilize people around issues and within organizations.
Structured around eight categories important to community
organizing, it offers descriptions and provides access to
many of the most current web arenas and strategies for bringing
groups together to create community change.
http://www.campaignconsultation.com/GIZMOs/eorganizer/index.html
The National ASK (Awareness, Skills, Knowledge) to Sustain
Institute, sponsored by Corporation for National and
Community Service, provided by Campaign Consultation, Inc.
1998, 2002.
The CNCS Resources Now! National Institute, sponsored
by Corporation for National and Community Service, provided
by Campaign Consultation, Inc. 2005-07.
Learning
Products and Services
Sustainability:
Sustainability@CampaignConsultation.com is designed
to give information fast on building capacity. Use this
online support for advice from a fundraising professional.
Contact Sustainability@CampaignConsultation.com
VISTA
Campus:
VISTA Campus is an online learning environment for
the VISTA community. The aim is to support you in your development
throughout and beyond your VISTA service. The Campus includes
self-paced tutorials and courses, reference materials, discussion
boards, a campus bookstore and more to help improve your
skills and connect with other VISTAs. To access the site,
go to http://vistacampus.org
and select the “VISTAs” option. You will need
to create an account to access the content and discussion
boards.
GIZMOs:
(Giving Information for Zooming Mission Objectives)
GIZMOS are resource and fund development tools for you and
your volunteers. They are tangible products in packets,
pocket brochures, CD-ROMs, games, etc. They feature a myriad
of fundraising topics such as The Case for Support, an interactive
online resource. View and use our newest GIZMOs at www.CampaignConsultation.com/gizmosplash
The
Chronicle of Philanthropy:
Everyone who comes to a Resources Now! National Institute
gets a free subscription to the Chronicle for a year. Participants
in CNCS Campaign Consultation workshops receive the latest
issue free of charge plus a $20 discount on one year’s
subscription.
Workshops/Clinics:
The Corporation for National and Community
Service (CNCS), through its T/TA service provider Campaign
Consultation, Inc., offers a three-hour workshops and clinics
for those interested.
WebWizard:
CNCS sponsors this new service that
Campaign Consultation provides to assist programs and projects
in maximizing their websites for program, client, volunteer
and fundraising needs.
Online
Courses/Webinars:
Web course delivery of topics pertinent to resource
development such as — Build Fundraising Volunteer
Champions and Cause Related Marketing and
Corporate Partnerships.
Available
through the Resource Center at http://www.nationalserviceresources.org
Read
Back Issues of OTG e-TA
|
|
|
|
| |
