Cornerstone: To Give Or Not To Give (That's Not Even a Question)

We love a good not-for-profit, and we love to get together and do some good old fashioned fundraising for worthy causes.  Socially focused projects are good for company morale and, let's be honest, a nice external-facing, er, face lift because good citizenship really is good for business.

In our "Cornerstone" blogs, we will be talking about how small to medium-sized business can start their own corporate social responsibility (CSR) program and how ours is going.  

CSR programs don't have to be a big production.  All it takes is executive sponsorship (HR is usually a great starting place) and a general understanding on what pulls on your fellow employees' heartstrings.  For us, it ranges from local animal organizations to international charities helping children in need.  For you, it could be inner-city art programs and community gardens.  Honestly, it doesn't matter what you do, as long as you love doing it.


Seven Steps to CSR Success: (think of it as our little road map)

1) Talk to HR and your boss about starting the program
2) Get a group of three or four like-minded do-gooders together to start a committee
3) Think of one simple way to get your fellow employees involved

• Food drives are a great starting point!

4) Make them drink the kool-aid (or at least post the flyer on the ubiquitous water cooler)

• It is important to promote your event through e-mails and via flyers in hot spots throughout the office.  The more people know about and reminded about the program, the more successful your first event will be!
• Oh, and hey, don't forget the company logo.  This is a great opportunity to reinforce your brand.  We're not talking about selling it.  We're talking about making people feel good and do good things... and making that feel good feeling connect with the company's brand image.

5) Make that first event FUN!

• People are more likely to stay involved if they have a fun time doing it.  You could make it a challenge... like who brings in the most canned goods?

6) Rinse.

• Get feedback from your coworkers about the event, and don't forget to ask them how they think it could be better.

7) Repeat.

• Try to have at least one event a month.  You want to keep the program top of mind.
• Here is a good list of potential fund-raising events: http://www.fundraiserinsight.org/ideas/

Have you started a CSR program at your place of work?  Share your tips for socially conscious success! 


For the love of research...