| Is your business looking for new and creative | | | | photography and call to set up an appointment |
| ways to gain publicity and build your customer | | | | anyway!Restaurants have an easy way out on |
| base? Partnering with non profit organizations may | | | | this one! Donate a gift certificate to the non profit |
| benefit your business in many ways.Why business | | | | organization. The receiver gets to sample your |
| owners and managers should consider supporting | | | | food, service and atmosphere. Who knows, you |
| non profits as part of their marketing strategy:1. | | | | may have just gained a customer for life!Financial |
| Advertising opportunities are usually offered when | | | | DonationsDonating a financial gift to a charity of |
| non profit organizations request corporate | | | | your choice may have advertising and tax |
| sponsorship. Types of advertising may include a | | | | benefits as discussed earlier.Attending Non Profit |
| business card size ad in a program, a sign at an | | | | EventsCharities host a variety of fun events such |
| event, or your business name mentioned in radio | | | | as arts festivals, dinners, galas, casino nights and |
| or TV ads.2. Partnering with non profits increases | | | | auctions. Participating in a charity fundraiser or |
| public relations and a general feeling of goodwill | | | | other event will give you an easy way to donate |
| toward your company.3. Participating in the | | | | financially to the group. Events also provide time |
| planning of non profit events, attending an event, | | | | to build relationships with other business people |
| or volunteering your time increases your | | | | and potential clients, in a fun relaxed |
| opportunities to meet potential customers.4. | | | | environment.Donating FacilitiesDoes your company |
| Finally, there are tax breaks for donating money | | | | have a gym, banquet facility or auditorium? By |
| to a charitable cause. Check with your accountant | | | | donating or offering a reduced rate to non profit |
| for more details.There are many ways that | | | | organizations, you may receive great public |
| business owners can partner with non profit | | | | relations and word of mouth advertising benefits |
| organizations in order to reach more potential | | | | in return.Here's a great example: A bowling center |
| customers.Volunteering Your TimeVolunteering | | | | in Florida offers their facility for students to hold a |
| your time to help a non profit cause will give you | | | | bowl-a-thon. Students get per pin pledges prior to |
| an opportunity to develop relationships with non | | | | the event. According to owner, Lisa Ciniello, "The |
| profit leaders and volunteers. You can work on | | | | Bowling Centers do not make a lot of money, but |
| volunteer committees, planning events, or even | | | | we encourage these events as it gives great |
| just stuffing envelopes. How about donating an | | | | exposure. In our locations we charge $5.00 to |
| hour or two to man the phones for MDA on labor | | | | $8.00 per student and no charge for rental |
| day weekend, a public television drive or another | | | | shoes."Connecting With Your CommunityOne of |
| telethon? How about staffing a booth at a school | | | | the best ways to find opportunities to donate to |
| carnival? Savvy business people see such | | | | non profits and network with other business |
| volunteer activities as opportunities to connect | | | | leaders is to join a civic club or chamber of |
| with other business people, network and build | | | | commerce. These organizations meet 1-4 times |
| relationships with potential clients.Donating | | | | per month in your local city. They usually have a |
| MerchandiseMany non profit groups hold live and | | | | small list of favorite charities or support their own |
| silent auctions or need door prizes for their | | | | foundations.The civic clubs that you may want to |
| events. This is an opportunity for you to show | | | | consider joining include Optimist International, |
| potential clients your merchandise or sample your | | | | Kiwanis International or Business & Professional |
| services. This strategy works well for many | | | | Women.Finally, partnering with non profit |
| types of businesses, here's some examples:A | | | | organizations gives your business a way to reach |
| photographer donates a gift certificate AND loans | | | | out to the local community. Your business can |
| the NPO a large scale portrait from their portfolio. | | | | contribute to the greater good and help many |
| Even if someone does not win the gift certificate, | | | | people, just by joining forces with charitable |
| they may be impressed with your style of | | | | organizations. |