Corporate Social Responsibility has both defendants as well as critics in equal measure. Some say that the right CSR can help in spreading awareness, create important channels, and secure necessary fundings to help create a better society.
Critics on the other hand state that this is nothing but a PR exercise intended to be done with a purely business motive.
No matter what people on either side of the fence are saying, doing charity in any way, form or type is a hugely rewarding experience. There are a lot of things that go beyond just ‘money’. A growing class of entrepreneurs is seeking engagement opportunities with serious and credible non-profits.
Crowdfund in Singapore at g2c.childrensociety.org.sg is attracting young entrepreneurs that want to initiate a small change in this hugely unequal world by funding, volunteering, or simply sharing causes on their social media pages.
However, with thousands of organizations present in different fields, areas, and operations, how should entrepreneurs choose a non-profit to align with?
5 Ways how Entrepreneurs can choose Non-Profits or Charities to work with
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Identifying a cause that is personal to you-
Most entrepreneurs who are successful often have personal memories of growing up. It can be a single mother working two jobs and raising kids in a household, or a military family that has lost its sons and daughters in serving the nation. It is important to associate yourself with a cause that appeals emotionally and sentimentally. This will help you keep up the engagement.
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Select Broader Platforms to partner with for your Business-
While at a personal level you can relate to some causes, your employees in the business might not feel the same way. This is why it would be a good idea to partner with a larger non-profit aggregator that identifies and works with several smaller charitable organizations. This will ensure that all your workforce is committed and engaged in some way or the other.
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Look for Success Stories, Achievements, and Results-
Any entrepreneur would not want to invest his or her time, energy, and resources in partnering with a charity that is not genuine. This is why a great tip would be to do your research accordingly. Look at success stories on their website and follow social media pages. If you think they are credible enough, you can go ahead and engage with them in ways you find best.
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Ask around for positive recommendations-
You would be surprised to know that everyone is associated with some of the other charitable organizations. People want to engage themselves with social causes that make them feel better and content. You can ask around your peers or even speak to your employees to get a better idea of the kind of work and engagement they have with non-profits and charities.
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Selecting Non-Profits that are part of the Community-
At the end of the day, it is giving back to the community that has done so much for your business and you personally. Looking at charitable organizations that work at the grassroots levels is the best thing you can do. This impact is direct, purposeful, and positive and can help you form a direct bond with the society you are running the business in.
Different Types of Engagements Entrepreneurs can have with Non-Profits
A lot of people think that donating money is all there is to working and helping non-profits. The fact of the matter is that it is only one of the many things that an entrepreneur can do.
Firstly, physically volunteering at weekends is something that experts suggest you should start with. This will give you a better idea of whether the non-profit values personal corporate volunteering or is only interested in getting cheques!
Secondly, you can also donate appliances or things that the non-profit might need to function better. For example, a children’s orphanage might need a new washing machine as the old one has broken down. This can ensure that children will not have to manually wash their clothes and will be able to devote more time to their studies.
Lastly, you can also create engagement programs or hold luncheons for all the members that the charity works for. You can even volunteer to let the non-profit use your office printer to print flyers, membership materials, and other documentation.
The Bottom Line
A lot can be done and needs are done by entrepreneurs to help create a better world. In this article, we have covered some of the aspects that can help entrepreneurs choose non-profit organizations to work with. If you are an entrepreneur and have any other questions, feel free to write to us in the comments section below.
