Businesses Who Give
I’ve been inspired by a few people recently for their ethics of giving. Several weeks ago I met with Kim Brown who owns a PR firm Kim Brown and Associates (whoa, that page took a long time to load!). If you live in Utah you’ll see her husband Brent Brown bending over backwards on billboards. He owns car dealerships around Utah and from what I’ve heard he really does bend over backwards to be sure his customers and employees are taken care of.
Later Kim and I met with Scott Lazerson who is a philanthropist with Interface Foundation. Both of them have a commitment to giving back but in different arenas. Kim is more locally focused, which I love. Scott mixes with celebrities and connects them and other people with means with financially responsible nonprofit organizations. He is tireless and both are inspiring because now this is on my mind mind much more – when I have discussions about marketing I often discuss ways they might incorporate giving into their business.
Then I met with some of the folks at uPlej which is a social network that helps people give to nonprofits by signing up for a low cost monthly donation.
My friends at HugaMonkey are giving away a free baby sling a month to military moms and dads. I’m proud of John Keller, a friend and entrepreneur who has started a socially responsible company called Worldwide Book Drive.
I’ve always been a cheerleader for people who make a contribution to others through philanthropic giving and by incorporating giving into their business. I worked for a business that didn’t want to publicize what they did in the community. While I don’t think it’s good to brag about, it gives me hope when I know the companies I buy from or work for help people with the profits they make. In other words, I want to hear about it, so please tell the story (of course the story is more powerful when someone else tells it).
I’m convinced there is room to give whether it’s millions or a few dollars a month, and that doing so is good for you and for business.
Let’s hear what your story – how are you or how is your business giving back? Leave a comment and let me know.
3 Responses to “Businesses Who Give”
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July 13th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
I donate 3% of all revenue generated from my web design/dev business. I know a couple others who also donate a percentage of their proceeds to charity. Like you, I’m more willing to patronize a business that I know is giving back in one way or another.
July 16th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Janet,
Great blog. Just wanted to say that another “Business that Gives” is Google.org.
They give grants to and investments in companies that improve human conditions and global health. Check them out.
I believe that companies world wide will realize that it’s not a fad or a fashion statement to give as part of their business model but it will be necessary to survive.
We all require more from those that can give more. Again, great article!
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:33 am
HI JANET …
Its been awhile since I’ve emailed to you. I enjoyed the seminar in Salt Lake and our brief chat. My previous blog exploded and at the I thought I would too, but it has been great in the end. I have a new one ( Dave-Carlson.Com ). I know a little more now and it will be a better, well it already is, even with only 3 posts.
I have been pretty busy but I am glad that I came back to your blog and this post has something … I think I am replying to the ‘wrong’ post. I will be commenting again here on your blog and probably on your other sites as well keep up the great work.
A gray friend. Dave