HOW YOUR BUSINESS CAN GIVE BACK THE RIGHT WAY
We believe that small businesses can have a positive impact on local communities and the wider world. A successful charity campaign can make a world of difference for people in need, especially over the holidays. But not all charitable organizations are created equal, and supporting the wrong organization can do more harm than good. Here are some tips on finding the best fit for your business. ALIGN MISSIONS When narrowing down the thousands of local and national charities you have to choose from, comparing the mission statements of these organizations to your own is a great place to start. Charities that align with or complement your own goals as a business are natural partners. Still, while matching big-picture goals is a great start, you also need to make sure your chosen organization aligns with the heart and soul of your business: your employees and customers. FIND HUMAN CONNECTIONS The most powerful charity work your business can support is a cause that stems from the needs and passions of people connected to your work. Maybe a member of your team lives with a disability or a significant number of your customers face social, cultural, or
economic challenges. Putting time, money, and effort into supporting a reputable organization that helps the people and communities connected to your business is one of the best ways to show you care. CHECK CREDENTIALS Good intentions only go so far. To really make your charity efforts count and ensure your donations are used appropriately, you need to do some research. Thankfully, organizations like the Better Business Bureau, Charity Watch, and GuideStar.org keep data on IRS- registered charities, making it easy to see which groups are reputable. In general, you should look for organizations that have a great track record of transparency and make all of their financial information readily available. REMEMBER THE ‘WHY’ If you’re just looking for a tax write-off or good publicity, charity efforts are going to feel hollow and frustrating. More than anything, philanthropy should involve a cause your business is passionate about — no matter how big or small. Taking the time to remind yourself why you’ve chosen to support a particular cause will keep you from losing sight of what giving back is all about.
WHAT DOES YOUR COMMUNITY NEED?
Starting a movement that generates meaningful impact requires just as much failure as it does success. Just ask any innovator, and they’ll run you through their laundry list of defeats. Elon Musk struck out more in his first few years than most business people do in their entire lives. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. Thomas Edison was unsuccessful not once or twice, but thousands of times before inventing the light bulb. Yet when you hear these names, the people behind them aren’t defined by their shortcomings, but rather by the movements they started. Derek Sivers is an entrepreneur who provides fascinating insight on this topic. His website, Sivers.org, has a post titled “How to Make a Movement. Lessons Learned From Dancing Guy.” In this breakdown, Sivers presents a video of a lone dancer at the Sasquatch Music Festival. At first, the person
is just dancing by himself, flailing his arms without a care in the world.
later, a fourth and a fifth. After 90 seconds, the original dancer is in a crowd of over 30 people, all moving to the music. By the end of the song, one person has started a mini- movement of over 100 people. To be a leader, you sometimes need to branch out of your comfort zone. No one ever blazed a trail by playing it safe. What does your community need? We can all create movements that run through our sphere of influence. I encourage you to take a look at what impact you can make.
While initially intended to be humorous, the cellphone footage takes on new meaning when filtered through the lens of leadership; he wasn’t just dancing, he was starting something. After a short while, another person sees the unbridled enthusiasm of the solo dancer and decides to join in on the fun. Just 30 seconds later, clearly inspired by the commotion, a third follower jumps on the bandwagon. Another 10 seconds
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