I got an email this morning from Jonathan Manske, a speaker I heard first at an IBI/CEO Space Meeting some years back, that caught my attention.  ”Tomorrow, March 12th, I will be getting my head shaved at 6:30 am for St Baldricks.  If you want to watch, I should be on channel 2 news at 6:40ish am.  Or you can come to Salon on the Boulevard at 1485 S. Colorado Blvd.  Don’t want to get up that early but still want to be a part of this – you can donate at www.stbaldricks.org/participants/jonathanmanske.  If you would prefer to use a check, make it payable to St Baldricks and put my shavee ID number 381886 in the memo line and then mail that to me, 5609 Cheetah Chase, Littleton, CO 80124.  I’ll also post the video on my facebook page.

St. Baldrick’s raises money for children’s cancer research.  Last year 33,373 people across the country got their heads shaved for this event and they raised $16,634,962.  I personally raised almost $1000.”

Jonathan Manske “assists individuals and organizations to escape from prison – the prison in their own heads.  He helps them to get out of their own way so that they can succeed.

Jonathan is an author, speaker, trainer and consultant.  The cornerstone of all that he does is:   What is going on inside your head really does matter! Your thoughts, your attitudes and especially your non-conscious programming create your results.  When you change what is going on inside your head, your real world results change as well.”

Jonathan is a great example of how a small business/entrepreneur can give back authentically and build business at the same time.  Some of the things he did well in my opinion include sending out this email to folks like me on his list – I certainly took note, went to his website for the first time, and will be more likely to refer others to him or use him myself because I like his values.

In addition to his charitable work, he also has a Pay it Forward Program in which he offers free teleseminars for clients and potential clients to offer value and build business.  ”I love the “Pay It Forward” concept and I have a solution for a problem that impacts every single person ~ head trash that is in their way of success.  Furthermore, my mission is to make people’s lives and businesses better.   When I put these all together, I came up with The Pay It Forward Program!”

What can you do to build visibility for you and your company through your business philanthropy?  How can you let your customers know about what you are doing?  Get your thinking cap on or give me a call and set up a consultation call – I can definitely help you with doing something like this!

Business philanthropy (also called community involvement) is becoming more widely recognized as an essential component of business strategy for companies of all sizes – not just the Fortune 500.  Americans’ expectations of companies are at an all-time high. Supporting causes is no longer a “nice to do,” it is a “have to do.” There has been a major shift in the value equation: good business used to be primarily about providing quality products/services at a fair value. However, this is no longer sufficient for you to be truly competitive in today’s marketplace.  Your company must develop deep and meaningful emotional connections with your stakeholders by taking a stand on issues that are relevant to both your business and target audiences.  Sharing your resources including time, expertise, products/services, dollars, and networks is one way to be a “good business citizen” and show your commitment to being part of the solution to issues of our time.

In addition to the heartfelt, intrinsic rewards you feel from giving back and making a difference, there are also many business benefits available to any philanthropic company that engages with communities in authentic, meaningful, and strategic ways.  Especially during difficult economic times such as these, the need for doing “double duty” with your scarce resources has never been greater.  You need to be able to “do good” AND “do well.”

My free report offers selected research findings to show you the business case for strategic philanthropy and to provide food for thought to help you strengthen your company’s community involvement efforts moving forward.

To download your FREE copy, please provide your contact information below.

I have been a big Priya Haji and World of Good fan since I heard her speak about five years ago at a (then) Co-op America Green Business Conference in San Francisco.  I loved her company’s concept and was totally in awe of how smart, committed…and young(!!) she was!  I interviewed her in 2007 for my book.

Click here to download a copy of the transcript from that interview from my “Giving Perspective” Series.  If you’d like to listen to the unedited interview, Click here to download…

Today I saw the press release on the World of Good, Inc. website announcing the sale of the brand.

“World of Good Inc. Sells Brand and Related Assets to eBay; Wholesale Division Acquired by GreaterGood/Charity USA

World of Good Brand Continues to Represent Sustainable Shopping and Market Access for Global Artisans Through E-Commerce

EMERYVILLE, Calif. – February 25, 2010 – World of Good Inc., a five-year-old social venture that connects artisans from developing communities with mainstream retail markets, announced today that eBay has fully acquired its brand and related assets. World of Good Inc. also announced that GreaterGood/Charity USA has acquired its wholesale division and line of designer, Fair Trade products which will be re-branded, while existing relationships with retailers and artisan partners will be maintained. The terms of the transactions were not disclosed.

eBay’s acquisition of the brand results from a two-year long collaboration between the two companies that led to the development of WorldofGood.com by eBay, the world’s largest multi-seller marketplace for socially and environmentally responsible shopping. The transaction reflects eBay’s growing commitment to engaging consumers to affect social change through sustainable commerce. It also represents World of Good’s commitment to creating the greatest market opportunity for small, Fair Trade and environmentally responsible producers around the world. The online marketplace hosts hundreds of sellers, with tens of thousands of sustainable products from 85 countries.”

It will be interesting to track the next chapter of Priya’s brain child.

Designing Strategic Partnerships with Businesses
This is Your Personal VIP Invitation
Thursday, March 11, 2010
3:00 – 4:00 pm Eastern

If you are like most nonprofit leaders, you probably are very concerned these days about the impact of a tough economy on your ability to get needed resources for your organization or program. You see the need mushrooming in your community every day…and you see the companies around you starting to tighten their philanthropic belt. So what to do?

No matter how good your program or organization may be, if you can’t clearly make the case for why a business should support YOUR nonprofit organization over all the others also seeking their support, you are bound to fail. You need to know the right formula for approaching businesses to create win-win partnerships to secure the resources you so desperately need.

In this call, Susan Hyatt reveals how to move past the old school “beg for donations” and checkbook philanthropy mentality to present your organization, NOT as needy, but as a valuable partner – offering to share your assets (such as networks, publications, special events, etc.) with companies that choose to partner and share their resources with you. If you want to strengthen your “ask” and improve your success rate, you definitely need to attend this FREE teleseminar to:

• Learn about 4 current trends in the business world that affect giving practices;
• Discover the 4 critical needs of businesses that you can help address through a partnership;
• Learn the 10 biggest mistakes nonprofits make when seeking business support – so you don’t make them!
• And much more!

Get ready for an hour of information and insights that will change the tone and success of your business partnerships forever.

More Information about Susan Hyatt:

Susan Hyatt is the author of The Nonprofit Toolkit: Designing Strategic Partnerships with Businesses. She is a nationally-known consultant, trainer, and speaker and the founder of Business Nonprofit CONNECTIONS, Inc., which is dedicated to helping nonprofits and businesses partner more effectively for real impact on pressing social issues. Working with nonprofit organizations domestically and internationally for more than 20 years, Susan continually pushes the envelope to find NEW ways to address issues of nonprofit sustainability through strategic business partnerships.

Susan has conducted training in 49 states for over 10,000 nonprofit leaders and their board members on such topics as strategic business partnerships, performance measurement and evaluation, and using data effectively to gain stakeholder support. Susan has conducted interviews with more than 50 business leaders as part of the research for her forthcoming book, Strategic Business Philanthropy: How Smart Companies Do Good AND Do Well.” She has been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, The Akron Times Beacon, and the Denver Business Journal. Her insights and articles regularly appear in her email newsletter, CONNECTIONS, which reaches business and nonprofit leaders worldwide.

REGISTER HERE FOR THIS FREE TELESEMINAR!

You will receive all the call information sent to the email you submitted. Please check your spam box if you do not receive the email within a few minutes.

Check out this video with Bon Jovi – I loved it!!  I heard Bon Jovi speak a couple years ago at the National Conference on Volunteering and Service and he did a great job talking about giving back and honoring those people who do so.  I have worked as a trainer and consultant through JBS International’s Aguirre Division with the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and the National Service programs it funds – AmeriCorps, VISTA, Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve America – for 15 years.  Much of my work has involved training programs how to evaluate their services to identify clearly the impact they are making so they are able to tweak their program models as well as demonstrate to their communities the value they offer.  I have been so inspired by the dedication, commitment, and true impact these National Service programs are making and the ways they have helped strengthen nonprofit capacity and service delivery.  I am a BIG fan!

National Service programs go through extensive vetting…so when you support one of them, you know your resources are going to be well used.  They are a great investment in making a difference.  To find out what National Service programs are in your area, go to the CNCS website or Serve.gov.

Argonaut Liquor in Denver publishes Sheila’s eGrapevine with information about current specials and upcoming wine tastings.  A friend of mine forwarded me a copy today and of course I immediately noticed they had a section of the eGrapevine called “Giving” which tells customers about their own giving as well as that of wineries they carry in the store.  Caught my attention!  The March 1st edition included the following:

“Purchase Louis Martini wines during the month of February and the distributor and Argonaut will donate $12 per case to the Women’s Bean Project.” (NOTE: Women’s Bean Project is one of my favorite Denver nonprofits so this definitely caught my attention as a consumer!)

“MacMurray Ranch is donating a portion of their sales to the people of Haiti.”  (NOTE: This also caught my eye as I lived and worked on maternal/child nutrition issues in Haiti in the 1980’s…)

“2007 Chévere!: In the southeast corner of the Colchagua Valley lies one of the few actual hillside plantings in all of Chile; the 2007 Chévere! Begins here on its steep and rocky slopes. While Chévere! Is full with the soft and delicious texture we associate with Chilean cabernet, its higher levels of color, tannin, and fruit concentration underscore its hillside origin. This is a delicious wine to serve with pastas, meats, pizza, robust cheeses, and with any other hearty foods.
Was $9.49 with e-mail $6.99

Chevere is a special bottling with a portion of the proceeds going to the Lambi Fund of Haiti.  The Lambi Fund’s mission is to assist the popular, democratic movement in Haiti. Its goal is to help strengthen civil society as a necessary foundation of democracy and development. The fund channels financial and other resources to community-based organizations that promote the social and economic empowerment of the Haitian people.”

When I went to the Argonaut website, I was pleasantly surprised to see they have a section, called ArGOOD Center.  That page says, “Find out how Argonaut is involved in the community, what charities we support, request a donation and look for great deals in the coupon section.

Also, when you visit our store, please stop by the ArGood Center and see how we are doing our part in the community and how you can help when you purchase certain brands who then donate a percentage of the profits to our selected charities.”

On their charity page, they give a little history, offer a downloadable request form and list some of the nonprofits they have supported – I like this!!  It states:

“As you pass by the new building, you will notice the name on the street-facing is Robinson Building, a tribute to the quietly philanthropic family, and Hank Robinson, the big-hearted community advocate and Argonaut founder. Mr. Robinson has always been respectful of the fact that their business has thrived because of the community and has seen to it that being a good neighbor and giving back to the city is an integral part of the Argonaut brand.

If you have a charity or a non-profit event, please download the Donation Request Form and fax back to us. We will be glad to review your request.”

Do you have a section on your website that talks about your business giving?  Do you streamline the request process by posting the needed form for nonprofits to fill out to get into your selection process so that it takes less of your time and gives you a place to refer people?  This is a great idea with minimal cost and saves a ton of time!  I strongly suggest you think about this for your own company.

Back by popular demand! RECESSION PROOF RESOURCES: How SMART Nonprofits Partner with Businesses – a nonprofit teleseminar program.

If you are concerned about the impact of a tight economy on your ability to get needed resources for your nonprofit, join me for my four-part nonprofit teleseminar series, RECESSION PROOF RESOURCES: How SMART Nonprofits Partner with Businesses, on Tuesdays in March (9, 16, 23, and 30) from 12:00-1:30 pm ET. Get ready for six hours of information and insights that will change the tone and success of your business partnerships forever!

For more information and to sign up, go to: http://tinyurl.com/yg9u6z9

Please pass the word to nonprofit leaders you know who could benefit from this important information!!

As a thank you for reading my blog, I would like to offer you a $50 discount on the RECESSION PROOF teleseminar program – enter RPR-5 when registering to receive the discount! Hope you will be able to join me!!

I interviewed thought leaders from 50 companies for my new book, Business Giving Strategies, due out this fall.  One questions which I asked everyone during the interviews was if they had experienced any challenges working with nonprofit organizations and if so, what were they.  The following is a list of ten of the challenges that I compiled for you from what I heard.

1.   Nonprofits are often not receptive to engaging in creative programs with higher levels of business involvement – beyond just asking for checks.   – Niki Leodankis, Kimpton Hotels

2.   Many nonprofits can’t succinctly describe what they do – their mission or message.  They can’t get to the point and spend too much time describing their program models.   Many don’t follow the submission instructions for grant applications.  – Amy Hall, EILEEN FISHER

3.   Nonprofits often don’t give us back any information on the impact of the support we provided.   – Gregor Barnum, Seventh Generation

4.   Many nonprofits are risk-averse.  They are playing not to lose rather than playing to win.  Such risk-aversion has a negative impact on innovation.   – John Sage, Pura Vida Coffee

5.   There can be profound cultural difference between nonprofits and businesses in how work is approached.  Nonprofits sometimes have trouble understanding business demands.   – Seth Goldman, Honest Tea

6.   Timing and organizational culture difference can be challenging.  The business focus on business often is hard for nonprofits to understand as is the fast pace of business and the push to meet quotas.  Also, both partners may have stereotypical beliefs about each other which can get in the way.   – Mary T’Chach, AVEDA

7.   Many nonprofits are not savvy about marketing their partnership with a business to their supporters and the community at large.  While one business motivation to engage in relationships with nonprofits is to enhance their visibility and marketing efforts, nonprofit partnerships don’t necessarily lead to a direct sales opportunity.   – Seth Goldman, Honest Tea

8.   Nonprofits may not have the patience required to build the relationship with a business.  You need to start slow.  – Rodney North, Equal Exchange

9.   Getting nonprofits to understand where the company is coming from and differing definitions of deadlines.  – Clayton Adams, State Farm

10.   So few nonprofits take inventory of their power.  For example, their supporter networks and communication tools are one nonprofit asset of value to businesses.  Mentioning your business in their newsletter, on their website, a thank you at a board meeting or bring their board to your restaurant for a meeting can all be ways to help you get increased exposure.  -Jessica Newman, Rock Bottom Foundation

And…don’t forget  to say thank you to your business partners!  - Leslie Sheridan, The Added Edge

BusinessWeek published a Special Report: Philanthropy 2010 last month.  I liked the article by Chris Farrell, titled “Philanthropy: Companies Seek Greater Returns in Tough Times.”  Check the full article out here.

“Amid soft economic times, companies’ gifts are increasingly freighted with self-interest—whether it’s image-polishing or engendering worker loyalty. The Great Recession exacted a harsh toll on the U.S. economy, from record home foreclosures to double-digit unemployment. Among the downturn’s many casualties was corporate philanthropy. The demand for help surged as the economy spiraled lower, but corporate giving decreased by 4.5%, or –8% in inflation-adjusted dollars, according to the Giving USA Foundation. (The latest data available are from 2008.)…

Companies are becoming even more focused on strategic giving…Another trend worth noting: An era of scarce resources is encouraging companies to embrace alternatives to cash to support their charitable activities. Corporate product and service donations, as well as employee volunteer efforts, are increasingly popular. So is forming partnerships with nonprofits and governments to pursue social goals. “They all have to collaborate more closely—government, nonprofits, and companies—to allocate resources more successfully.”

Hope Equity, one of the organizations I featured in my Gifts That Make a Difference Report,  sent an email today showcasing ways they will be involved in Haiti moving forward so thought I would share.

“The toll in human life and critical infrastructure caused by the catastrophic earthquake that struck Haiti grows as relief efforts continue. What is certain at this point is that once the rescue and relief efforts have been completed, there will be many years of rebuilding essential infrastructure and developing agricultural and commercial enterprises to sustain the Haitian people.

Hope Equity provides long-term support to Heifer International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending hunger and poverty. Heifer reports that its staff in Haiti is accounted for and safe. The Heifer office was not damaged and the staff is still working, despite losing friends and family in the disaster.

Heifer estimates that it will be three to five years before a there is stable enough environment for its recovery and rehabilitation efforts to get in full swing. There has already been a huge influx of people moving to more rural areas in Haiti and this trend is expected to continue, which means Heifer’s work there will be even more vital and critical as the country rebuilds.

That’s why endowments providing long-term support for projects in Haiti are more important than ever. When you give to an endowment those funds are invested and each year a percentage of the endowment is made available to the area you have specified. The following are links to the Haiti endowments as well as our Disaster Recovery Endowment, which is utilized to support the efforts of Heifer’s country programs after a major crisis.”

Haiti Country Endowment
Haiti: Carolyn W. Reynolds Endowment
Haiti: Carolyn M. & Clarence R. Wenger Endowment
Disaster Recovery Endowment

Check them out!

I am going tonight to a fundraiser in Denver, HOPE for Haiti, at Jazz at Jacks as a way to be more involved immediately myself.