I’ve been away from my blog this week working on some of my charity work. I really feel that charity work is incredibly important but of course not at the expense of the business. I look at charity work as an integral part of my work ethic and my business plan.
Because I am an artist I am in a unique place to build my brand while helping some worthy causes I believe in. I can help them fund raise while building their reputations and also build what I call foundational care for daily expenses. I occasionally will help fund raise for animal charities, many of whom are sanctuaries and rescues. I also try to occasionally work with charities that help people in crisis as well.
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Sometimes these sanctuaries and rescues fail, usually, because of poor planning and too much repeat dependence on fund raising for their daily expenses. When they fail there comes a huge rift between them and the public trust.One misstep in planning and animal care due to a bad economy can lead to a spiraling decline in donations. The animals in their care suffer because of lack of donations. No one wants to be associated with failing animal charities or animal charities that raise huge sums of money only to euthanaize the majority of the animals they bring in. It is even worse when the leaders of these charities have suddenly stopped all fund raising efforts because they simply didn’t know what to do or they have lost interest because it is so overwhelming to them.
As a result of the change in the giving practices, I think, mostly due to the tight economy, I have put together a set of guidelines for all the charities I consider working with. I of course adapt them slightly for newly created organizations.
What I consider before I give to or work with a community
1. Persons involved in The Charity already support my business.
2. The Charity has good business practices, including foundational support for every day expenses.
3.The Charity is highly visible with regular community access and education. It has a good reputation for service and available programs that reach out to the community.
4. The Charity has active highly visible fund raising programs through out the year that maintains a steady flow of nurtured and new support for the organization. The face( generally a person) of the organization is active in fund raising and building community support continuously.
5. The Charity has a transparency policy with public financial accountability. This means proof the money is being spent on what it is collected for.
6. The Charity not only nurtures givers, it nurtures and values its volunteers. This includes a reward for effort program and training program for volunteers.
7. The Charity sees my work as valuable and protects the investments my collectors. They not only understand that how they present the work during fund raising determines the value they also know how to get top dollar and increase the value of my work to benefit themselves.
8. I agree with the objectives of The Charity and how they are implemented. Their work ethic, how they carry it out and the pride they take in their events and location, all play a part in their reputation. If I disagree with their objectives, I don't want my name associated with their organization. If the actions of The Charity are completely different from the objectives or they lack professionalism and polish then I don't offer to support them.
Its so much easier to support people who appreciate your efforts.
Have a great weekend
~Linda
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