Studies have shown recently that millennials will spend more with brands that support causes and that most consumers think businesses should support charities. If people have a choice between two companies that offered products and services for the same price, 82 percent said their decision would be affected by whether a company engaged with charities and its local community.
So Yes, supporting charities can be good for business. There are many benefits to supporting charities, including:
- Increased brand awareness and goodwill. When businesses support charities, it shows that they care about the community and are committed to making a difference. This can lead to increased brand awareness and goodwill among customers, employees, and other stakeholders.
- Improved employee morale and productivity. Employees who feel like their company is giving back to the community are more likely to be happy and productive. This can lead to improved employee morale and productivity, which can benefit the business in a number of ways.
- Attracting and retaining customers. Customers are increasingly looking for businesses that are socially responsible. By supporting charities, businesses can show customers that they are committed to making a difference in the world. This can make customers more likely to choose your business over your competitors.
- Tax breaks. In some cases, businesses can deduct charitable contributions from their taxes. This can save businesses money, which can be used to reinvest in the business or to support other charitable causes.
Of course, there are also some potential risks associated with supporting charities. For example, businesses need to make sure that they are supporting reputable charities that are using their donations effectively. Additionally, businesses need to be careful not to overextend themselves financially when supporting charities.
Overall, the benefits of supporting charities outweigh the risks. If you are considering supporting a charity, be sure to do your research and choose a charity that is aligned with your values.
There are some great examples of how big companies are doing this, there’s Stella Artois’ “Buy a Lady a Drink” campaign provides access to clean drinking water to women (mothers) in third world countries; Xerox’s Community Involvement Programme which gives employees the chance to work on social projects of their choice and TOMS Shoes’ One for One Campaign where the company matches every pair of shoes sold with a new pair for children in need meaning that the company has now gone from a shoe company to a socially responsible organization that has given 60 million shoes to disadvantaged children.
here are some great charities that are recommended by the Catholic Church:
- Catholic Charities USA
- Catholic Relief Services
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York
These organizations provide a wide range of services to people in need, including food, shelter, clothing, job training, and healthcare. These are just a few of the many great charities that are recommended by the Catholic Church. They are all reputable charities that are using their donations effectively. If you are looking for a way to give back to your community, I encourage you to consider supporting one of these organizations.
Apart from the impressive stats and the fact that people will choose your business over another if you’re involved with charities, here are some more reasons why charity work is something you should be considering for your company:
You’ll Feel Good
5 Ways Giving Is Good for You
It feels good to raise money or other donations for a deserving cause; it’s always nice to know you’re doing something worthwhile and if your employees don’t get complete job satisfaction on a daily basis then knowing they’re doing something good and helping out a worthy cause could help with that. Recently, the staff at Air Charter Service’s office in London raised £28,892 for Macmillan Cancer Support which they were told will pay for a nurse for 1,000 hours, helping people living with cancer and their families to receive essential medical, practical and emotional support, which is something that is close to a lot of people’s hearts at ACS. It’s nice that people know where their money is going and also if it makes a difference in the life of someone they know.
Charity Events Create Team Building Opportunities.
Depending on how big your company is, some people may never have spoken to each other before because they have no reason to. However, get them on a sponsored walk together or manning the cake stall, and a new relationship could form. It could be different teams bonding, or different age groups, or perhaps communication between senior management and other employees, which are all good for the business.
Charity Work Provides Networking Opportunities
4 ways your company benefits from giving back
Meeting up with a network of like-minded business people from other companies to help work for a common cause will undoubtedly bring networking benefits. This is a way to reach out and connect with other businesses and sectors of the community on a different platform.
It Helps Define Your Corporate Identity
Supporting charities shows that your business is trustworthy and ethical. This can be an essential tool when recruiting new employees who want to know they are moving to a great company with true values.
It Can Provide Great PR
Nine Valuable Marketing Lessons From a Nonprofit – Charitywater.org
Taking part in charity fundraising will mean that your business opportunities have the chance to be seen in the media and will show you in a good light. Detailing your charitable efforts on your website will reinforce to customers, clients, and other businesses that you are a reputable organization.
Most of all, everyone brings their passion and best work to a worthwhile project. Choose a charity you believe in, not just one that seems like the obvious choice in your sector – this way, your enthusiasm for the cause will inspire others too.
When looking for a charity to support, look for a cause that you believe in and to which you or your employees have a connection to. Not only will it be more fun, but also you’ll be happier, giving your time and means. It’s a good idea to appoint one person to be in charge and then a committee, which will help spread the tasks related to finding and managing the charity or charities that you choose.
From a business perspective, it’s a good idea to look for charities that will give you meaningful exposure to a large number of influential people, and if you are sponsoring a charitable event, try to choose one in which your target market would participate. If you don’t have any in mind, then have a look at the resources provided by the Catholic Church to help you.