Working with a charity can offer many benefits to SMEs. Put simply, charity fundraising is great for a company, its employees and, of course, the charity itself. In this blog we’ll take a look at the benefits to companies from engaging in charity fundraising. We’ll also end on a recent Flexspace example.
The benefits broadly divide into two categories, internal and external. Let’s look at each in turn:
The main positives to working with a charity is the motivation this provides employees. Quite simply, people love to do things which support the community or a charity which they have a close personal connection with.
It’s great for an employer to choose a charity which aligns closely to its workforce and its values. The closer the alignment, the more likely employees will really get behind any fundraising efforts.
Some companies will create a shortlist of say, three charity contenders to work with. An employee ballot decides who to support for that year or two year period.
Most employees work with companies who have strong values that they can identify with. For their part, most employers recognise the value that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) gives their organisation. Charity work provides worthwhile values. It really is a win: win situation.
Supporting a charity can take many forms (volunteering, fundraising, matched giving etc.). They are most successful when its a symbiotic relationships. Both sides should gain equally from the partnership.
Some employees choose to volunteer in some capacity with their charity of choice. This can be a rewarding experience . Many positive skills are earned and valuable connections made. Indeed, many charity partnerships provide a welcome boost to a company’s networks.
Getting the workforce to collectively focus on a single task, can bring many benefits to morale and team working. Group fundraising can also engender a healthy sense of competition with regard to which team is able to raise the most amount of money. Fundraising is supposed to be fun – as long as employees are enjoying themselves as well as doing something worthwhile. This provides a very enjoyable and positive experience for all participants.
One of the more obvious benefits of any charity work is the positive PR it provides to your company image. The closer your own company values align with the charity, then the easier this PR is to lever in a positive way.
There are various methods of doing this – the more traditional local radio and local newspapers as well as the faster moving social media channels.
Don’t forget, local newspapers and radio rely on commercial charity partnerships. They provide valuable content. They are always keen to promote your cause.
Doing great work with a well-known (either nationally or locally) charity can have a very positive effect on how future employees view your company.
Flexspace, with 59 centres across the UK, was really well placed to take part in this year’s Children in Need fundraiser. 
Many of the centres took part on the day with a variety of activities.
Some were old favourites: cake sales, bake-off competitions and round pound collections. Other favourites included different ways of dressing up, face-painting or wearing yellow. More leftfield and unusual included carpet bowls, a duck race and various, fun office games.
Well over £800 was raised for Children in Need, but importantly, the centres benefited from all the fun activities. Many of Flexspace’s tenants managed to get involved as well. This created a great atmosphere and was a worthwhile way of strengthening the relationship between Flexspace and our tenants.
So, what are you waiting for? We wish you luck in whatever charity activity you decide to do – and you are sure to gain many benefits from the experience.
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