Hi,
I own and manage a small manufacturing business with a retail storefront. We
are a small family business, approaching our 1 year anniversary. We are a
typical new business. Working long hours, barely getting by....but thankful
we've made it this far & hopeful for the future. We have always been very
much a part of the community & believe strongly in giving back. That said, we
are approached constantly for donations from every imaginable direction.
Question #1: How do you manage the # of and/or $ amount of contributions you
grant?
Question #2: How do you tactfully decline from contributing to a
cause/organization with which you do not wish to support?
First, you may want to establish criteria for what types of activities you
are interested in supporting. If you are interested in activities that
benefit youth, then a solicitation from a senior citizen's group would not
fit your criteria and would not be funded. Personally, I ask the requesting
group to provide information in writing for me to consider later. That way, I
am not forced into an immediate decision and if the group is unwilling to
provide additional information, I have to question their motives. You can
also check groups with the BBB or another organization that monitors
charities to be certain your donation isn't being spent on administration or
something other than the purpose for which you gave.
jtowbin | Community Moderator |
10/24/2012 - 3:18 pm
Hi, Congratulation on the one year anniversary of your business! Kangamamas offers good feedback to your question. To get additional questions answered, you may consider talking to a mentor who could offer you more specific guidance. Good Luck
kangamamas | Window Shopper |
10/24/2012 - 10:03 am
As a non-profit who requests donations, my preferred answer for #2 is: you
appreciate all the work done for the community but you choose to donate to
organizations that closely align with your company's mission. Or the nice
brush off, we have exceeded our yearly/monthly/quarterly allowance for
donations.
BizResearcher | Window Shopper | 10/31/2012 - 3:36 pm
are interested in supporting. If you are interested in activities that
benefit youth, then a solicitation from a senior citizen's group would not
fit your criteria and would not be funded. Personally, I ask the requesting
group to provide information in writing for me to consider later. That way, I
am not forced into an immediate decision and if the group is unwilling to
provide additional information, I have to question their motives. You can
also check groups with the BBB or another organization that monitors
charities to be certain your donation isn't being spent on administration or
something other than the purpose for which you gave.
jtowbin | Community Moderator | 10/24/2012 - 3:18 pm
kangamamas | Window Shopper | 10/24/2012 - 10:03 am
appreciate all the work done for the community but you choose to donate to
organizations that closely align with your company's mission. Or the nice
brush off, we have exceeded our yearly/monthly/quarterly allowance for
donations.
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