| While making money is a key priority for businesses, | | | | based business may like to sponsor the schooling |
| a large number of them also look towards giving | | | | expenses of kids from poorer households. On the |
| some of it back to the community. Have you been | | | | other hand, the owner of a handicrafts gallery may |
| thinking about contributing to charity of late? Great | | | | wish to do something to improve the condition of |
| idea, we say! There are many ways to support a | | | | local artisans. Remember, that your company is |
| cause that is close to your heart; here are some | | | | making a very deliberate statement about the values |
| ideas. | | | | it espouses by contributing to charity. Make sure the |
| Identify an organization that you'd like to associate | | | | public reads your lips right. |
| with. | | | | It takes more than money. |
| Contributing to charity is not really as simple as it | | | | Who said contributing to charity only meant writing |
| sounds. Sure, the philanthropic motive is the | | | | out an annual check? Even if your business is small, |
| cornerstone of this decision, and regardless of the | | | | with limited financial resources, you can make a great |
| cause you choose to support, it is money well spent... | | | | contribution in other ways. If you truly believe in a |
| still, you might want to reflect upon the uses your | | | | certain cause, don't shy away from wearing your |
| money will be put to. Select an organization which | | | | heart on your sleeve. As a business owner, you |
| shares your ideals and ideology. There is an | | | | probably have a say in your community, and are part |
| abundance of charitable and not-for-profit agencies | | | | of a network that includes professional associates, |
| out there, many of which support only specific | | | | informal member groups and so on. Reach out to |
| communities based on religion or ethnicity. You might | | | | them. You can render even greater service by |
| want to stay away from these, especially if your | | | | securing the participation of others in causes that you |
| business is an equal opportunity employer, and has a | | | | hold dear. |
| multicultural staff. On the other hand, giving to an | | | | Ensure continuity. |
| organization like the Breast Cancer Donation Shop, | | | | Charity, like everything else, needs the commitment |
| which you can do through, is a commendable way of | | | | of its supporters in order to succeed. While you're in |
| demonstrating your support to those battling the | | | | business, you should plan to align with a charitable |
| disease. | | | | cause over a long term period. More importantly, you |
| Also, find out what the reputation of the recipient | | | | can ensure that the relationship lives on even after |
| agency is like - do they use the money wisely, is it | | | | you've moved out of the business. If you're selling |
| deployed quickly, and are the people contributing to | | | | out, you can donate stock to certain authorized |
| charity kept well informed of new developments? | | | | community foundations. Not only will that ensure the |
| Choose a suitable cause. | | | | continuity of your association in the future, it will also |
| It is a smart tactic for businesses contributing to | | | | bring you immediate financial gains in terms of tax |
| charity to identify a purpose that is in sync with their | | | | relief. Now that's money worth spending, isn't it? |
| main activity. For example, a knowledge or education | | | | |