Grow your business by supporting your community

I found a great article on chron.com called How to Grow a Business by Helping Non Profit Organizations.  The article spoke about the benefits of partnering with local nonprofit organizations.   Building your business through nonprofit support is broken down into four simple steps.

1. Survey your employees to determine what charities or causes they care most about.  Writing a check is nice but growing your business requires a more hands-on approach that may incorporate asking employees to participate in some way.  If they are invested in the charity you choose they will be invested in the participation.
2. Select an organization that relates to your business’ mission and vision.  For example, if your company sells urban apparel, you might partner with a local mission or church to solicit clothing donations at your store.  You can offer a small discount on a purchase to each customer who donates.
3. Organize the effort with the nonprofit organization.  If you are working with a local food bank, allow the organization to direct your company’s food collection efforts.  Many volunteer projects are large annual events that garner media coverage and community recognition, and your non profit partner will have more experience producing and promoting the event.  Take a cooperative, supportive role in the project.  Resisting the urge to take over a project often guarantees that your company will be asked to partner on future events.
4. Publicize the effort using public relations.  The nonprofit will definitely publicize the project, and want to mention your company’s role in the effort in exchange for you help.  However, don’t overlook your own opportunity to publicize your involvement.  The NALA members can use the Press Release benefit to publicize their event.  With a simple order form, the NALA helps members to design and distribute a Press Release to the appropriate print and broadcast outlets.  Members choose from specific state and distribution in over 5,500 websites including Google, Yahoo, Yahoo News, Forbes, and numerous business journals and television station websites.  To learn more check out theNALA.com or email us at info@theNALA.com.
5. Encourage employees to enthusiastically support and promote the company’s efforts.  Participation will boost the success of the overall effort and encourage the nonprofit to approach you again with partnering opportunities to grow your business.
6. The NALA members can offer charity partners a free listing in the NALA Charity Directory.  This free directory is part of the NALA’s continuing goal to support local businesses supporting their local communities. 

The NALA partners with worthy causes that benefit our communities, our nation and the world.  To learn more check out http://thenala.com/charities