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Day 154: 365give’s Top 5 Ways to Become a Corporate Philanthropist

Happy Corporate Philanthropy Day! For the past 15 years I have been helping companies become more involved in giving. There is now a day dedicated to just that. There are many ways you can engage your company whether you are the owner or you are an employee, to be come more philanthropic. I have been working on a project (The Gelato Cup) for 12 years that 5 companies began and have now raised over a $1,000,000 for prostate cancer. That is major corporate philanthropy at it’s best. Today’s give is to give you ideas on how you can get your company involved in philanthropy.

Day 154: Give 154

Corporations have many benefits over individuals when it comes to giving back. Whether your company that has 4 employees or 1000 employees, working together makes giving a whole lot easier. Here are 365give’s top ways you can help your community or the world while you are working!

1) Volunteer: Start a corporate volunteer program that allows your employees to take a day, and afternoon or even a few hours away from work to volunteer their time. Most people say they don’t have time to volunteer so choose an organization as a group you want to support and lend you time to make a difference.

2) Pro Bono Work: This term means “for public good.” Don’t have the resources to send your employees out to volunteer? No problem do it right in the office. Use your expertise right in house to support an organization or cause. Whether it’s marketing expertise, business counselling, graphic design or even social media – these are all tools that any organization could use for free. Every dollar saved using your expertise allows an organization to put their dollars to work where they should be going to.

3) The Latte Factor: This idea is taken from David Bach’s book, “Smart Couples Finish Rich”. What if everyone in your company, once a week, put their latte money into towards a donation. At the end of each month that money is donated to charity. Everyone in the company would have a chance to choose their favourite charity and you could spread the wealth around.

4) For the CEO: This is how I help CEO’s of companies that come to me asking for ways to raise money for their favourite charity. Put on a charity event. It could be a golf tournament, a black tie gala, a bike ride or a baseball tournament. Use your suppliers, your contacts, your friends and get money from them to put on an event. All the proceeds can go to your favourite charity and can be publicized to make you look like a hero. Sell tickets and sponsorship opportunities and you have a great opportunity to give and market your company. Hire a specialist that can help you plan this and it all comes out of the event budget. It will cost you your time and your contact list.

5) For the Employee: This is your chance to shine. Make an appointment with your boss to review some of these ideas. Maybe they haven’t considered corporate philanthropy or maybe they just didn’t know where to start. Take the initiative in your company to do something great and change the world. Get involved with a local initiative that will get everyone in your company involved. Ask your boss to sponsor an event you are volunteering at and have everyone in your company come out and help.

Getting your company involved in philanthropy is not difficult. Why not start today and celebrate Corporate Philanthropy Day. It could be the start of a beautiful relationship!

I would love to hear how your company is already involved or how you get them involved. Send us your story and we will highlight it along with your companies information. Happy to spread the good new of others giving back.

Time Commitment: 45 minutes to share my ideas

Cost: 0 (a life time of work)

What people are saying about 365give

“I wanted to express my gratitude for the teaching you provided today. Your message was delivered eloquently, compassionately, and without judgment. The kids were engaged, and now have knowledge with which they can change the world. We all appreciated how you took the time to help us learn to build positive mindsets and practice happiness.”
Shelley Gardner, Grade 6 Ridgeview Elementary (West Vancouver)
“Actions really do speak louder than words, which is why I believe the 365give Challenge has resonated throughout my community. Every give we do is so important to us and leaves us happier and appreciating our lives a little bit more than before.”
Mahina Niyozova (Tajikistan)
“After watching the 365give TEDx Talk, I was inspired to join and begin a daily giving program in India. Today, along with 12 other volunteer women, we provide 100 meals to local underprivileged children in Bangalore for school every day.”
Deepika Ahuja, Mom (Bangalore, India)
“My life has greater meaning now.”
Renate Jorge, @BeKindBrazil and 365give Member, Family Program (Brazil)
“I just wanted to share that 365give really helped me. I am a better person now, thank you.”
MayLee, 365give Member, Individual Program
“This 365give Challenge has really injected excitement and extra enthusiasm in each work day as I think about what we can do. It has motivated me and the students.”
Cristina Peters, School Counselor (New York City, USA)
“I have seen a huge shift in energy throughout my classroom since doing the 365give Challenge. The Challenge has empowered my students to make a positive difference in the school’s community and beyond.”
Cella Adriana, Special Needs Educator /The Holliswood School (New York City, USA)
“The 365give Challenge helps students understand their impact on others. It opens avenues for introducing and discussing global and local issues in classrooms. It is powerful to watch students of all ages think about how they can make a change in another person’s life with one small act.”
Jessica Hall, Primary Teacher, French Immersion at École Pauline Johnson (West Vancouver, Canada)