Working alongside a charity enhances society, the community, and the environment. We all now live in a socially responsible age and increasingly, employees, customers and society place a higher value on companies which demonstrate Corporate Social Responsibility. But what’s in it for you?
Did You Know?
- 90% of consumers surveyed would purchase a product because a company supported an issue they believed in. It’s a great way to build positive brand awareness and to connect with your customers.
- Employees are increasingly looking to work within an environment which holds social and environmental values in the same esteem as financial values.
- Showing that you are committed to your community will have a positive effect on your business reputation.
- If you choose to support a charity related to your business, you can demonstrate the human face of your organisation, as well as your expertise in that area.
4 Reasons To Partner With A Small Local Charity
- It improves your own neighbourhood and environment.
- Your impact will be even greater with a relatively small charity, allowing you to witness the difference you have made throughout the year.
- You and your employees can get directly involved with the charity, and gain hands-on experience.
- Publicity from your charity work will support your positive brand messages at a more local level, within your target marketplace.
Our Tips For Creating An Effective Partnership
- Get your employees involved. If they feel part of it, they will be more engaged with the cause. They can help nominate the charity, volunteer and fundraise. You could even help them make tax-free donations through ‘payroll giving’.
- Involve your customers too where possible. Let them know that a percentage of their money will go towards a good cause and highlight the fact that you support a community project.
- Choose a local charity. This will allow you and your staff to get personally involved, and the effect on your customers will be more impactful. It will also go towards improving your own neighbourhood and community relations.
- Choose a ‘charity of the year’ to support. You will be able to plan more effectively by creating an annual events calendar and setting targets that your employees can have fun achieving. Don’t forget to put in place some effective measurement tools to track success.
- Make the relationship beneficial to both parties. Offering paid time off for volunteering benefits both the charity and employees. The charity could also spend some time with your employees discussing current issues and debating solutions. And don’t forget, marketing is also a joint effort with social media platforms, digital and print media from both sides publicising your efforts.
Why CENS?
We are currently looking for local businesses to partner with us for 2023. CENS has been operating in Colchester to help homeless people for almost 30 years. We are well known and highly regarded within the local community and have excellent connections with many other charities, organisations and businesses.
We have many exciting plans and developments for the year ahead. This is a key point in our development and a great opportunity for local businesses to get involved and become part of our success.
Working together, we can develop an annual package of events, utilising your skills and knowledge and our connections with the community to make it relevant and beneficial to both. This could include regular donations, volunteering at the shelter, training residents, fundraising activities, or offering much-needed products and services.
In return, all our Charity Partners will have a presence on our website as well as ongoing marketing opportunities on our social media platforms, our newsletters, press coverage and at events. Together we really can make a difference.
To find out more about becoming a CENS Coprporate Partner, contact us here
