Tips For Good Business Giving

1. Focus your effort.

• Get buy-in from senior management
• Identify internal resources
• Have a focused mission statement and giving program goals that align with your company’s business plan and values.
• Establish clear grant guidelines regarding what you will and won’t fund. Being clear from the beginning will make it much easier to say yes or no later on.
• Develop a decision-making structure.

2. Get company-wide commitment.

Be aware of the needs and interests of your board, management and employees.

3. Think beyond dollars.

Consider how all of your assets – expertise, employees, products and services, as well as money – can be invested to improve the community.

4. Get connected.

Learn about the community – what’s there, what works, what’s needed. Talk with your peers and civic leaders.

5. Go public.

Let people know that charitable giving is part of your company’s presence. Put your grant guidelines on your website, intranet, newsletter or break room bulletin board. It will help spread the word about your good works and help avoid requests that don’t match your mission or goals.

6. See for yourself.

Whenever possible, visit the potential grantee. Talk to staff and those they serve. Ask questions. Listen well.

7. Evaluate your efforts.

Look at how your contributions are making a difference in the community. Are you doing what you set out to do? What can you learn from your experiences? How do your efforts provide enduring value to the community and your business?