| Whether you are part of a program that works with | | | | charities. Thorough research of a charity ensures that |
| needy children and provides them with holiday gifts, | | | | it is a reliable and well run organization. |
| or raises funds for hurricane victims, or individuals | | | | Charitable giving is a hot topic in business marketing. |
| struggling with things like AIDS and cancer. Or maybe | | | | Match your charitable interests to reflect that of |
| your business has taken a stand on something like - | | | | your customers and benefit with increased customer |
| 'good to be green' recycling, environmental | | | | loyalty and alliances in your community. The causes |
| awareness and social responsibility or women's issues. | | | | your company is aligned with will, no doubt, influence |
| Whether you realize it or not you are part of what is | | | | customers' willingness to do business with you. |
| now being coined - cause marketing. | | | | Focusing your effort on one noteworthy charitable |
| Cause marketing is when a business aligns itself with | | | | organization will likely be sufficient but there is no |
| a charitable organization for a mutually beneficial | | | | reason a company could not contribute to two |
| purpose. Your business gains with an improved image | | | | charities or even three. |
| in the community and a charity gains more | | | | Have an announcement posted to a community |
| recognition and support for its cause. Promotional | | | | service bulletin board to inform local media of your |
| products are a low cost and proven form of | | | | charitable involvement. Involvement with a charity |
| advertising. By making custom promotional products a | | | | may lead to positive press interviews with local |
| part of your charitable giving contribution you can | | | | newspapers, radio or TV stations. Make all of these |
| maximize recognition for your program. | | | | occasions to promote your business with promotional |
| Many charities are just as appreciative of receiving a | | | | products. Give promotional items with your logo and |
| gift as they are cash. Items like custom promotional | | | | contact information to everyone you meet. Make |
| license plate frames, tote bags, lunch cases, sport | | | | sure benefits your company offers are highlighted |
| buddy bottles, alligator clips, caps and T-shirts make | | | | and included in the text in a clear and concise manner. |
| great gifts recipients are proud to show off. These | | | | Good will generates more business. As another |
| items can be customized to highlight and bring | | | | benefit, most of what you give as charitable giving is |
| awareness to both your company and your charity's | | | | tax deductible. You may deduct fair market value for |
| cause. | | | | your charitable gifts. But, in case there is any scrutiny |
| Send customized promotional gift baskets that are | | | | from the IRS be sure to keep itemized lists and |
| visually appealing. Good will generates more business. | | | | written documentation. If possible, get receipts from |
| Offer services free of charge to less privileged | | | | your charity. |
| disadvantaged people. Send announcements to the | | | | If in the course of working with your charity you |
| media and let them know what your company is | | | | spend time in meetings and travel, whatever |
| doing. Expand your horizon by hosting charitable | | | | expenses you incur are also tax deductible. Ask |
| events. Exposure begets exposure. Make the | | | | vendors for cash receipts for all cash purchases in |
| commitment. | | | | case you are audited. |
| You can use the internet to research charities you | | | | Use cause marketing to build goodwill in the |
| are interested in in your area. You may choose to | | | | community. Incorporating customized promotional |
| obtain information directly from the charities | | | | products in your cause marketing efforts will give |
| themselves or local government offices that evaluate | | | | your program an extra push. |