To keep our blog fresh and exciting for our readers, Envoy plans to run a post by a guest blogger each month. This month, we are very pleased to have Michelle Zych as our first-ever guest blogger. Michelle is the director of strategic development at Camp Fire USA–Midlands Council, overseeing fundraising, volunteers and marketing for the agency. A former Camp Fire kid, she loves having the opportunity to connect people to the organization that helped her become a leader. Learn more about Camp Fire USA at www.campfireomaha.org/.
Each day, I have the honor of connecting people to an organization that prides itself on having a measurable effect on the kids and families in our community who need the most. While individuals make a huge dent in the number of donations and volunteer hours that we receive, the companies in our community are also very generous with their time, talents and treasure.
Whether organized by the company’s president or the receptionist, businesses in our community are giving back, and in a very big way. While I believe they are doing so because they have an ethic of philanthropy and community service, I also believe that they understand that it is smart business practice. Current and potential customers want to know that the companies they invest in are giving back to the community.
Working with companies both big and small throughout the years, I have seen a number of different achievements in my organization alone, and I know that ours isn’t the only one that companies are supporting. From company-wide drives to event sponsorship to corporate-driven volunteer opportunities, there are plenty of ways for businesses to become engaged.
A company-wide drive would land a business on our website for our supporters to see. Sponsoring an event gives a business the opportunity to have its name (and usually the logo) out in front of everyone who attends while informing them of their community investment. If fundraising isn’t your cup of tea, then I cannot express the value of in-kind donations, be they for printing, website management or even human resources.
Many organizations also look to corporate partners to help with one-time volunteer projects. This is a great way to build a team while educating your employees about the organizations that serve our community. Providing opportunities for workers of every collar to see how easy it is to make a difference in the lives of others not only helps us see how little it takes to make a great impact, but it also brings our community closer on an even deeper level. Encouraging your employees — whether you have one or 1,000 — to give their time, talents and treasure by modeling those qualities as a company has the ability to stretch your marketing dollars, as well.
The important thing for businesses to understand is that nonprofits like to spread the word about our corporate partners to those individuals that support us. Customers are eager to invest their hard-earned income with businesses that care about the community.
Philanthropy and volunteerism make it possible for nonprofit organizations to extend their reach far beyond slim budgets and continue to have influence in the community while moving our respective missions forward.
— Michelle Zych
Add your comment