Donations
Christmas donations, Red Nose Day, Children in Need, support in times of emergency: many businesses already donate to charity but the informal nature of these agreements can cloud the significance of these contributions and a more consistent approach can lead to even greater benefits:
- Organised donations can support more effective budgetting, allowing both donator and beneficiary to prepare for changes in income
- Donations can provide the foundation for more long term relationships with local organisations. This can lead to a host of other benefits including more efficient working practices, access to market and improved public profile - and if it doesn't work out, than stopping the donation is simple.
- Relationships with local organisations can be embedded into Corporate Social Responsibility policies, improving your business' reputation whilst contributing to the community.
- Longer term relationships can create a better sense of team spirit and improve staff morale through providing a shared focus and joint goal.
Benefits
Business benefits include:
- Improved staff morale
- Demonstrated concern for your local community if engaging with a If you choose a local charity
- Effective but simple introduction to corporate social responsibility
- Tax relief
Process
Select an appropriate beneficiary
- Choose a local organisation whose charitable aims fit well with your business activities. For example, a landscape gardening company could choose to give money to a local environmental charity. Or a sports supplies business could donate to a local youth football club.
- Maybe a member of your staff has links with a charity for personal reasons, for example, because of family illness. Adopting their cause as your business' 'charity of the year' is another obvious starting point for charitable giving and is also very good for staff morale.
- If you want to give to a range of local community organisations in a simple, and structured way, then one option would be the Hertfordshire Community Fund.
Financial Planning
- Build the donations into your financial planning and budget.
- Be clear about objectives and timescales. A planned withdrawal will be necessary if the local organisation has become reliant on your contributions.
- Make sure that you have explored the tax relief available if your business is making financial donations.
Impact
- More productive staff
- Improved standing in community
- Improved image and PR opportunities
Donations Toolkit
